(a) General. No repairs, except in emergency, shall be made to an approved life preserver without advance notice to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection, of the district in which such repairs are to be made. Emergency repairs shall be reported as soon as practicable to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

(b) Kind of repairs. Except in emergency, tapes or straps may not be repaired, but may be renewed, and small holes, tears, or rips in the envelope cover fabric may be repaired, at the discretion of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.