(a) Except as allowed by paragraph (b) of this section, each vessel certificated to operate on a Great Lakes route must be provided with the survival craft required by §§117.205 (a) through (d) of this part as applicable.

(b) Each vessel certificated to operate on a Great Lakes route within one mile of land is not required to carry survival craft if the OCMI determines that it is safe not to do so, taking into consideration the vessel's scope of operation, hazards of the route, and availability of assistance.