46 CFR §117.78
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)General. Unless otherwise stated in this section, life jackets must be stored in convenient places distributed throughout accommodation spaces.
- (1)Each stowage container for life jackets must not be capable of being locked. If practicable, the container must be designed to allow the life jackets to float free.
- (2)Each life jacket kept in a stowage container must be readily available.
- (3)Each life jacket stowed overhead must be supported in a manner that allows quick release for distribution.
- (4)If life jackets are stowed more than 2,130 millimeters (7 feet) above the deck, a means for quick release must be provided and must be capable of operation by a person standing on the deck.
- (5)Each child size life jacket must be stowed in a location that is appropriately marked and separated from adult life jackets so the child size life jackets are not mistaken for adult life jackets.
- (b)Additional personal flotation devices. The stowage locations of the personal flotation devices carried in addition to life jackets under § 117.72 must be separate from the life jackets, and such as not to be easily confused with that of the life jackets.