(a) Provisions of this subpart shall apply to all vessels inspected and certificated in accordance with this subchapter.

(a) Each buoyant work vest carried under the permissive authority of this section must be approved under—

(1) Subpart 160.053 of this chapter; or

(2) Subpart 160.077 of this chapter as a commercial hybrid PFD.

(a) Approved buoyant work vests are considered to be items of safety apparel and may be carried aboard vessels to be worn by crew members when working near or over the water under favorable working conditions. They shall be used under the supervision and control of designated ship's officers. When carried, such vests shall not be accepted in lieu of any portion of the required number of approved life preservers and shall not be substituted for the approved life preservers required to be worn during drills and emergencies.

(a) The approved buoyant work vests shall be stowed separately from the regular stowage of approved life preservers.

(b) The locations for the stowage of work vests shall be such as not to be easily confused with that for approved life preservers.

(a) Each work vest shall be subject to examination by a marine inspector to determine its serviceability. If found to be satisfactory, it may be continued in service, but shall not be stamped by a marine inspector with a Coast Guard stamp. If a work vest is found not to be in a serviceable condition, then such work vest shall be removed from the vessel. If a work vest is beyond repair, it shall be destroyed or mutilated in the presence of a marine inspector so as to prevent its continued use as a work vest.

(a) In addition to the other requirements in this subpart, commercial hybrid PFD's must be—

(1) Used, stowed, and maintained in accordance with the procedures set out in the manual required for these devices by § 160.077-29 of this chapter and any limitations(s) marked on them; and

(2) Of the same or similar design and have the same method of operation as each other hybrid PFD carried on board.