Each manned platform shall be provided with at least two approved life floats. The life floats shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons present at any one time.

The life floats shall be distributed in accessible locations and mounted on the outboard sides of the working platform in such a manner as to be readily launched.

(a) Each lifefloat shall be provided with a painter. This painter shall be a manila rope not less than 2 3/4 inches in circumference and of a length not less than three times the distance from the deck where the lifefloat is stowed to the low water line. Alternatively, the painter may be of other material provided it has equal strength to the size of manila rope specified and is not less than 1/2 inch in diameter.

(b) Each life float must have a water light of an approved automatic electric type constructed in accordance with 46 CFR Subpart 161.010, except a water light constructed in accordance with former 46 CFR Subpart 161.001 that was installed before January 1, 1972, may be retained in an existing installation as long as it is maintained in good condition. The water light must be attached to the life float by a 12-thread manila or equivalent synthetic lanyard not less than 2 meters (6 feet) nor more than 4 meters (12 feet) in length. The water light must be mounted on a bracket so that when the life float is launched, the water light will pull free of the bracket.

(c) Two paddles shall be provided for each life float. The paddles shall not be less than five feet nor more than six feet long. The paddles shall be stowed in such a way that they will be readily accessible from either side of the life float when in the water.

(a) Approved lifeboats, approved life rafts or approved inflatable life rafts may be used in lieu of approved life floats for either all or part of the capacity required. When either lifeboats or life rafts are used approved means of launching will be required. Inflatable life rafts, when used, shall be distributed and mounted as required for life floats under § 144.01-5.

(b) The equipment required for a lifeboat is a bailer, boat hook, bucket, hatchet, lantern, life line, two life preservers, matches, full complement of oars and steering oar, painter, plug, and rowlocks, of the same type, kind, and character as required for lifeboats carried on vessels engaged in navigating bays, sounds, and lakes other than the Great Lakes, and rivers.

(c) The equipment required for a life raft is a boat hook, life line (if not a Type A life raft), full complement of oars and steering oar, painter, and rowlocks of the same type, kind, and character as required for life rafts carried on cargo and miscellaneous vessels navigating on bays, sounds, and lakes other than the Great Lakes.

(d) Inflatable liferafts shall be approved by the Coast Guard under approval series 160.151. An approved “Limited Service” or “Ocean Service” liferaft installed on board a platform before May 9, 1997, may continue to be used to meet the requirements of this section provided it is maintained in good and serviceable condition.

(a) An approved life preserver shall be provided for each person on a manned platform. The life preservers shall be located in easily accessible places.

(b) All kapok and fibrous glass life preservers which do not have plastic-covered pad inserts shall be removed from service.

(c) Each life preserver carried on a manned platform must have a personal flotation device light that is approved under Subpart 161.012 of 46 CFR Part 161. Each light must be securely attached to the front shoulder area of the life preserver.

(d) Each life preserver carried on a manned platform must have at least 200 sq. cm (31 sq. in.) of retroreflective material attached on its front side, at least 200 sq. cm on its back side, and at leat 200 sq. cm of material on each of its reversible sides. The material must be Type I material that is approved under 46 CFR 164.018. The material attached on each side of a life preserver must be divided equally between the upper quadrants of the side, and the material in each quadrant must be attached as closely as possible to the shoulder area of the life preserver.

(a) Each manned platform must have at least four approved ring life buoys constructed in accordance with 46 CFR Subpart 160.050; except ring life buoys approved under former 46 CFR Subpart 160.009 may be used as long as they are in good and serviceable condition. One ring life buoy must be placed on a suitable rack on each side of a manned platform in an accessible place. The ring life buoy must always be capable of being cast loose and may not be permanently secured in any way.

(b) Each ring life buoy must have a water light of an approved automatic electric type constructed in accordance with 46 CFR Subpart 161.010. A water light constructed in accordance with former 46 CFR Subpart 161.001 that was installed before January 1, 1972 may be retained in an existing installation as long as it is maintained in good condition. The water light must be attached to the ring life buoy by a 12-thread manila or equivalent synthetic lanyard not less than 1 meter (3 feet) nor more than 2 meters (6 feet) in length. The water light must be mounted on a bracket near the ring life buoy so that when the ring life buoy is cast loose, the water light will pull free of the bracket.

On each manned platform a first-aid kit approved by the Commandant or the U.S. Bureau of Mines shall be provided and kept in the custody of the person in charge.

On each manned platform a Stokes litter, or other suitable safety litter capable of being safely hoisted with an injured person, shall be provided and kept in an accessible place.

On manned platforms means of communication by radio and/or wire telephone shall be provided for contacting the shore or vessels in the vicinity for aid in the event of an emergency.