46 CFR §169.529
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)All lifeboat equipment must meet the requirements under 46 CFR 199.175, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.
- (b)The following equipment, carried in addition to the equipment required under 46 CFR 199.175, must meet the following requirements:
- (1)Cover, protecting. The cover must be of highly visible color and capable of protecting the occupants against exposure. A cover is not required for fully enclosed lifeboats.
- (2)Ditty bag. The ditty bag must consist of a canvas bag or equivalent and must contain a sailmaker's palm, needles, sail twine, marline, and marlin spike, except that motor-propelled lifeboats need not carry a ditty bag.
- (3)Mast and sail. A unit, consisting of a standing lug sail together with the necessary spars and rigging, must be provided in accordance with table 1 to this section, except that motor-propelled lifeboats need not carry a mast or sails. The sails must be of good quality canvas, or other material acceptable to the Commandant, colored Indian Orange (Cable No. 70072, Standard Color Card of America; incorporated by reference, see § 169.115). Rigging must consist of galvanized wire rope not less than 3/16-inch in diameter. The mast and sail must be protected by a suitable cover.