Regulations last checked for updates: Oct 17, 2024

Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters last revised: Oct 15, 2024
Table of Contents
MANNED DEEPWATER PORT REQUIREMENTS

§ 149.301 - What are the requirements for lifesaving equipment?

§ 149.302 - What are the requirements when lifesaving equipment is repaired or replaced?

§ 149.303 - What survival craft and rescue boats may be used on a manned deepwater port?

§ 149.304 - What type and how many survival craft and rescue boats must a manned deepwater port have?

§ 149.305 - What are the survival craft requirements for temporary personnel?

§ 149.306 - What are the requirements for lifeboats?

§ 149.307 - What are the requirements for free-fall lifeboats?

§ 149.308 - What are the requirements for liferafts?

§ 149.309 - What are the requirements for marine evacuation systems?

§ 149.310 - What are the muster and embarkation requirements for survival craft?

§ 149.311 - What are the launching and recovery requirements for lifeboats?

§ 149.312 - What are the launching equipment requirements for inflatable liferafts?

§ 149.313 - How must survival craft be arranged?

§ 149.314 - What are the approval and stowage requirements for rescue boats?

§ 149.315 - What embarkation, launching, and recovery arrangements must rescue boats meet?

§ 149.316 - What are the requirements for lifejackets?

§ 149.317 - How and where must lifejackets be stowed?

§ 149.318 - Must every person on the deepwater port have a lifejacket?

§ 149.319 - What additional lifejackets must the deepwater port have?

§ 149.320 - What are the requirements for ring life buoys?

§ 149.321 - How many ring life buoys must be on each deepwater port?

§ 149.322 - Where must ring life buoys be located and how must they be stowed?

§ 149.323 - What are the requirements for first aid kits?

§ 149.324 - What are the requirements for litters?

§ 149.325 - What emergency communications equipment must be on a manned deepwater port?

§ 149.326 - What are the immersion suit requirements?

§ 149.327 - What are the approval requirements for work vests and anti-exposure (deck) suits?

§ 149.328 - How must work vests and anti-exposure (deck) suits be stowed?

§ 149.329 - How must work vests and deck suits be marked?

§ 149.330 - When may a work vest or deck suit be substituted for a lifejacket?

§ 149.331 - What are the requirements for hybrid personal flotation devices?

§ 149.332 - What are the requirements for inflatable lifejackets?

§ 149.333 - What are the marking requirements for lifesaving equipment?

§ 149.300 - What does this subpart do?

UNMANNED DEEPWATER PORT REQUIREMENTS

§ 149.334 - Who must ensure compliance with the requirements for unmanned deepwater ports?

§ 149.335 - When are people prohibited from being on an unmanned deepwater port?

§ 149.336 - What are the requirements for lifejackets?

§ 149.337 - What are the requirements for ring life buoys?

§ 149.338 - What are the requirements for immersion suits?

§ 149.339 - What is the requirement for previously approved lifesaving equipment on a deepwater port?

§ 149.340 - What are the requirements for lifesaving equipment that is not required by this subchapter?

MANNED DEEPWATER PORT REQUIREMENTS
§ 149.301 - What are the requirements for lifesaving equipment?

(a) Manned Deepwater Port. Each deepwater port on which at least one person occupies an accommodation space for more than 30 consecutive days in any successive 12-month period must comply with the requirements for lifesaving equipment in this subpart.

(b) Unmanned Deepwater Port. Each deepwater port, not under paragraph (a) of this section, must comply with the requirements for lifesaving equipment for unmanned deepwater ports in this subpart.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39178, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.302 - What are the requirements when lifesaving equipment is repaired or replaced?

When lifesaving equipment is replaced, or when the deepwater port undergoes a repair, alteration, or modification that involves replacing or adding to the lifesaving equipment, the new lifesaving equipment must meet the requirements of this subpart.

§ 149.303 - What survival craft and rescue boats may be used on a manned deepwater port?

(a) Each survival craft on a manned deepwater port must be one of the following:

(1) A lifeboat meeting the requirements of § 149.306 of this part; or

(2) A liferaft meeting the requirements of § 149.308 of this part.

(b) Each rescue boat on a manned deepwater port must be a rescue boat meeting the requirements of § 149.314 of this part.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.304 - What type and how many survival craft and rescue boats must a manned deepwater port have?

(a) Except as specified under § 149.305 of this part, each manned deepwater port must have at least the type and number of survival craft and the number of rescue boats indicated for the deepwater port in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) of this section.

(1) For a deepwater port with 30 or fewer persons on board:

(i) One or more lifeboats with a total capacity of 100 percent of the personnel on board;

(ii) One or more liferafts with a total capacity of 100 percent of the personnel on board; and

(iii) One rescue boat, except that the rescue boat is not required for deepwater ports with eight or fewer persons on board.

(2) For a deepwater port with 31 or more persons on board:

(i) At least two lifeboats with a total capacity of 100 percent of the personnel on board;

(ii) One or more liferafts with a total capacity so that, if the survival craft at any one location are rendered unusable, there will be craft remaining with a total capacity of 100 percent of the personnel on board; and

(iii) One rescue boat.

(3) Lifeboats may be substituted for liferafts.

(4) Capacity refers to the total number of persons on the deepwater port at any one time, not including temporary personnel. Temporary personnel include: contract workers, official visitors, and any other persons who are not permanent employees. See § 149.305 of this part for additional survival craft requirements when temporary personnel are on board.

(5) The required lifeboats may be used as rescue boats if the lifeboats also meet the requirements for rescue boats in § 149.314 of this part.

(b) Deepwater ports consisting of novel structures or a combination of fixed and/or floating structures may require additional survival craft as deemed necessary by the Commandant (CG-5P). In these cases, the type and number of survival craft must be specified in the operations manual.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.305 - What are the survival craft requirements for temporary personnel?

(a) When temporary personnel are on board a manned deepwater port and the complement exceeds the capacity of the survival craft required under § 149.304 of this part, the deepwater port must have additional liferafts to ensure that the total capacity of the survival craft is not less than 150 percent of the personnel on board at any time.

(b) The liferafts required in paragraph (a) of this section need not meet the launching requirements of paragraph (b) to § 149.308 of this part, but must comply with the stowage requirements of 46 CFR 108.530(c).

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.306 - What are the requirements for lifeboats?

(a) Lifeboats must be:

(1) Totally enclosed, fire-protected, and approved under approval series 160.135; and

(2) If the hull or canopy is of aluminum, it must be protected in its stowage position by a water spray system meeting the requirements of 46 CFR 34.25.

(b) Each lifeboat must have at least the provisions and survival equipment required by 46 CFR 108.575(b).

(c) Except for boathooks, the equipment under paragraph (b) of this section must be securely stowed in the lifeboat.

(d) Each lifeboat must have a list of the equipment it is required to carry under paragraph (c) of this section. The list must be posted in the lifeboat.

(e) The manufacturer's instructions for maintenance and repair of the lifeboat, required under § 150.502(a) of this chapter, must be in the lifeboat or on the deepwater port.

§ 149.307 - What are the requirements for free-fall lifeboats?

All free-fall lifeboats must be approved under approval series 160.135.

§ 149.308 - What are the requirements for liferafts?

(a) Each liferaft must be an inflatable liferaft approved under approval series 160.151, or a rigid liferaft approved under approval series 160.118.

(b) Except as under § 149.305(b) of this subpart, each inflatable or rigid liferaft, boarded from a deck that is more than 4.5 meters (14.75 feet) above the water, must be davit-launched or served by a marine evacuation system complying with § 149.309 to this subpart.

§ 149.309 - What are the requirements for marine evacuation systems?

All marine evacuation systems must be approved under approval series 160.175 and comply with the launching arrangement requirements for mobile offshore drilling units in 46 CFR 108.545.

§ 149.310 - What are the muster and embarkation requirements for survival craft?

Muster and embarkation arrangements for survival craft must comply with 46 CFR 108.540.

§ 149.311 - What are the launching and recovery requirements for lifeboats?

(a) Each lifeboat launched by falls must have a launching and recovery system that complies with 46 CFR 108.555.

(b) Each free-fall lifeboat must have a launching and recovery system that complies with 46 CFR 108.557.

§ 149.312 - What are the launching equipment requirements for inflatable liferafts?

(a) Each inflatable liferaft not intended for davit launching must be capable of rapid deployment.

(b) Each liferaft capable of being launched by a davit must have the following launching equipment at each launching station:

(1) A launching device approved under approval series 160.163; and

(2) A mechanical disengaging apparatus approved under approval series 160.170.

(c) The launching equipment must be operable, both from within the liferaft and from the deepwater port.

(d) Winch controls must be located so that the operator can observe the liferaft launching.

(e) The launching equipment must be arranged so that a loaded liferaft does not have to be lifted before it is lowered.

(f) Not more than two liferafts may be launched from the same set of launching equipment.

§ 149.313 - How must survival craft be arranged?

The operator must arrange survival craft so that they meet the requirements of 46 CFR 108.525 (a) and § 108.530 and so that they—

(a) Are readily accessible in an emergency;

(b) Are accessible for inspection, maintenance, and testing;

(c) Are in locations clear of overboard discharge piping or openings, and obstructions below; and

(d) Are located so that survival craft with an aggregate capacity to accommodate 100% of the total number of persons authorized to be berthed are readily accessible from the personnel berthing area.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.314 - What are the approval and stowage requirements for rescue boats?

(a) Rescue boats must be approved under approval series 160.156. A lifeboat is acceptable as a rescue boat if it also meets the requirements for a rescue boat under approval series 160.156.

(b) The stowage of rescue boats must comply with 46 CFR 108.565.

§ 149.315 - What embarkation, launching, and recovery arrangements must rescue boats meet?

(a) Each rescue boat must be capable of being launched in a current of up to 5 knots. A painter may be used to meet this requirement.

(b) Each rescue boat embarkation and launching arrangement must permit the rescue boat to be boarded and launched in the shortest possible time.

(c) If the rescue boat is one of the deepwater port's survival craft, then the rescue boat must comply with the muster and embarkation arrangement requirements of § 149.310 of this part.

(d) The rescue boat must comply with the embarkation arrangement requirements of 46 CFR 108.555.

(e) If the launching arrangement uses a single fall, the rescue boat may have an automatic disengaging apparatus, approved under approval series 160.170, instead of a lifeboat release mechanism.

(f) The rescue boat must be capable of being recovered rapidly when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment. If a lifeboat is being used as a rescue boat, rapid recovery must be possible when loaded with its lifeboat equipment and a rescue boat's complement of at least six persons.

(g) Each rescue boat launching appliance must be fitted with a powered winch motor.

(h) Each rescue boat launching appliance must be capable of hoisting the rescue boat, when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment, at a rate of not less than 59 feet per minute.

(i) The operator may use an onboard crane to launch a rescue boat if the crane's launching system meets the requirements of this section.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.316 - What are the requirements for lifejackets?

(a) Each lifejacket must be approved under approval series 160.002, 160.005, 160.055, 160.077, or 160.176.

(b) Each lifejacket must have a light approved under approval series 161.012. Each light must be securely attached to the front shoulder area of the lifejacket.

(c) Each lifejacket must have a whistle permanently attached by a cord.

(d) Each lifejacket must be fitted with Type I retroreflective material, approved under approval series 164.018.

§ 149.317 - How and where must lifejackets be stowed?

(a) The operator must ensure that lifejackets are stowed in readily accessible places in or adjacent to accommodation spaces.

(b) Lifejacket stowage containers and the spaces housing the containers must not be capable of being locked.

(c) The operator must mark each lifejacket container or lifejacket stowage location with the word “LIFEJACKETS” in block letters, and the quantity, identity, and size of the lifejackets stowed inside the container or at the location.

§ 149.318 - Must every person on the deepwater port have a lifejacket?

The operator must provide a lifejacket that complies with § 149.316 of this part for each person on a manned deepwater port.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.319 - What additional lifejackets must the deepwater port have?

For each person on duty in a location where the lifejacket required by § 149.317 of this part is not readily accessible, an additional lifejacket must be stowed so as to be readily accessible to that location.

[USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.320 - What are the requirements for ring life buoys?

(a) Ring life buoys must be approved under approval series 160.050 or 160.150, for SOLAS-approved equipment.

(b) Each ring life buoy must have a floating electric water light approved under approval series 161.010. The operator must ensure that the light to the ring life buoy is attached by a lanyard of 12-thread manila, or a synthetic rope of equivalent strength, not less than 3 feet nor more than 6 feet in length. The light must be mounted on a bracket near the ring life buoy so that, when the ring life buoy is cast loose, the light will be pulled free of the bracket.

(c) To each ring life buoy, there must be attached a buoyant line of 100 feet in length, with a breaking strength of at least 5 kilonewtons force. The end of the line must not be secured to the deepwater port.

(d) Each ring life buoy must be marked with Type II retroreflective material, approved under approval series 164.018.

§ 149.321 - How many ring life buoys must be on each deepwater port?

There must be at least four approved ring life buoys on each manned deepwater port.

§ 149.322 - Where must ring life buoys be located and how must they be stowed?

(a) The operator must locate one ring life buoy on each side of the deepwater port and one near each external stairway leading to the water. One buoy per side may be used to satisfy both these requirements.

(b) Each ring life buoy must be stowed on or in a rack that is readily accessible in an emergency. The ring life buoy must not be permanently secured in any way to the rack or the deepwater port.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.323 - What are the requirements for first aid kits?

(a) Each manned deepwater port must have an industrial first aid kit, approved by an appropriate organization, such as the American Red Cross, for the maximum number of persons on the deepwater port.

(b) The first aid kit must be maintained in a space designated as a medical treatment room or, if there is no medical treatment room, under the custody of the person in charge.

(c) The operator must ensure that each first aid kit is accompanied by a copy of either the Department of Health and Human Services Publication No. (PHS) 84-2024, “The Ship's Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea,” available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, or the “American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Handbook,” available from Little Brown and Company, 3 Center Plaza, Boston, MA 02018.

§ 149.324 - What are the requirements for litters?

Each manned deepwater port must have at least one Stokes or other suitable litter, capable of safely hoisting an injured person. The litter must be readily accessible in an emergency.

§ 149.325 - What emergency communications equipment must be on a manned deepwater port?

Each manned deepwater port must have a radio, telephone, or other means of emergency communication with the shore, vessels, and facilities in the vicinity in the event the primary communications system outlined in § 149.140 of this part fails. This communication equipment must have an emergency power source.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.326 - What are the immersion suit requirements?

Each manned deepwater port located north of 32 degrees North latitude must comply with the immersion suit requirements in 46 CFR 108.580.

§ 149.327 - What are the approval requirements for work vests and anti-exposure (deck) suits?

All work vests and anti-exposure (deck) suits on a manned deepwater port must be of a buoyant type approved under:

(a) Approval series 160.053 as a work vest;

(b) Approval series 160.053 or 160.153 as an anti-exposure suit; or

(c) Approval series 160.077 as a commercial hybrid personal flotation device.

§ 149.328 - How must work vests and anti-exposure (deck) suits be stowed?

All work vests and deck suits must be stowed separately from lifejackets and in a location that is not easily confused with a storage area for lifejackets.

§ 149.329 - How must work vests and deck suits be marked?

All work vests and deck suits must be fitted with Type I retroreflective material, approved under approval series 164.018.

§ 149.330 - When may a work vest or deck suit be substituted for a lifejacket?

(a) A work vest or deck suit meeting the requirements of § 149.326 of this part may be used instead of a lifejacket when personnel are working near or over water.

(b) Work vests or deck suits may not be substituted for any portion of the number of approved lifejackets required on the deepwater port or attending vessel for use during drills and emergencies.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.331 - What are the requirements for hybrid personal flotation devices?

(a) The operator must ensure that the use and stowage of all commercial hybrid personal flotation devices (PFDs) used as work vests comply with the procedures required for them in 46 CFR 160.077-29, and all limitations, if any, marked on them.

(b) All commercial hybrid PFDs on the deepwater port must be of the same or similar design and must have the same method of operation.

§ 149.332 - What are the requirements for inflatable lifejackets?

(a) Each inflatable lifejacket must be approved under approval series 160.176.

(b) All inflatable lifejackets on a deepwater port must:

(1) Be used and stowed according to the procedures contained in the manual required for them under 46 CFR 160.176-21;

(2) Be marked with all limitations, if any; and

(3) Be of the same or similar design and have the same method of operation.

§ 149.333 - What are the marking requirements for lifesaving equipment?

(a) Each lifeboat, rigid liferaft, and survival capsule must be marked on two opposite outboard sides with the name, number, or other inscription identifying the deepwater port on which it is placed, and the number of persons permitted on the craft. Each paddle or oar for these crafts must also be marked with an inscription identifying the deepwater port. The letters and numbers must be at least 100 millimeters (3.94 inches) high on a contrasting background.

(b) Each inflatable liferaft must be marked to meet 46 CFR 160.151-33, and, after each servicing, marked to meet 46 CFR 160.151-57(m).

(c) Each lifejacket and ring life buoy must be conspicuously marked with the name, number, or other inscription identifying the deepwater port on which it is placed. The letters and numbers must be at least 1.5 inches (38 mm) high on a contrasting background. Lifejackets and ring life buoys that accompany mobile crews to unmanned deepwater ports may be marked with the operator's name and field designation.

§ 149.300 - What does this subpart do?

This subpart provides requirements for lifesaving equipment on deepwater ports.

UNMANNED DEEPWATER PORT REQUIREMENTS
§ 149.334 - Who must ensure compliance with the requirements for unmanned deepwater ports?

The owner or operator of an unmanned deepwater port must ensure that applicable requirements are complied with on that deepwater port.

§ 149.335 - When are people prohibited from being on an unmanned deepwater port?

No person may be on an unmanned deepwater port unless all requirements of this part are met.

§ 149.336 - What are the requirements for lifejackets?

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, each unmanned deepwater port must have at least one lifejacket complying with § 149.316 of this part for each person on the deepwater port. The lifejackets need to be available for use on the deepwater port only when persons are onboard.

(b) During helicopter visits, personnel who have aircraft type of lifejackets may use them as an alternative to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.337 - What are the requirements for ring life buoys?

(a) Each unmanned deepwater port must have at least one ring life buoy complying with § 149.320 to this part.

(b) If there is no space on the deepwater port for the ring life buoys, they must be on a manned vessel located alongside of the deepwater port while the persons are on the deepwater port.

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
§ 149.338 - What are the requirements for immersion suits?

(a) Each unmanned deepwater port located north of 32 degrees North latitude must comply with the immersion suit requirements applicable to mobile offshore drilling units under 46 CFR 108.580, and immersion suits must be approved under approval series 160.171. Except as under paragraph (b) of this section, the immersion suits need be on the deepwater port only when persons are on board.

(b) If an attending vessel is moored to the unmanned deepwater port, the suits may be stowed on the vessel, instead of on the deepwater port.

§ 149.339 - What is the requirement for previously approved lifesaving equipment on a deepwater port?

Lifesaving equipment such as lifeboats, liferafts, and PFDs on a deepwater port on January 1, 2004, need not meet the requirements of this subpart until the equipment needs replacing, provided it is periodically tested and maintained and in good operational condition.

§ 149.340 - What are the requirements for lifesaving equipment that is not required by this subchapter?

Each item of lifesaving equipment on a deepwater port that is not required by this subchapter must be approved by the Commandant (CG-5P).

[USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, as amended by USCG-2013-0397, 78 FR 39179, July 1, 2013]
authority: 33 U.S.C. 1504,1509; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1 (75)
source: USCG-1998-3884, 71 FR 57651, Sept. 29, 2006, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 33 CFR 149.303