46 CFR §161.012-7
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)Each light must be designed to be attached to a PFD without damaging the PFD or interfering with its performance.
- (b)Each light and its power source must be designed to be removed and replaced without causing damage to the PFD.
- (c)The storage life of the power source of a light must be twice as long as the period between the date of manufacture and the expiration date of the power source.
- (d)Each light, prior to activation, must be capable of preventing leakage from its container of any chemicals it contains or produces.
- (e)Each component of a light must be designed to remain serviceable in a marine environment for at least as long as the storage life of the light's power source.
- (f)No light may have a water pressure switch.
- (g)Each light must be designed so that when attached to a PFD, its light beam, at a minimum, is visible in an arc of 180 degrees above or in front of the wearer.
- (h)Each light, including its power source, must fit into a cylindrical space that is 150 mm (6 in.) long and 75 mm (3 in.) in diameter.
- (i)Each light, including its power source, must not weigh more than 225g (8 oz.).
- (j)Each light that is designed to operate while detached from a PFD must have a lanyard that can be used to connect it to the PFD. The lanyard must be at least 750 mm (30 in.) long.
- (k)Each light designed to operate while detached from a PFD must be capable of floating in water with its light source at or above the surface of the water.