(a) General. Rescue boats must be stowed—

(1) To be ready for launching in not more than 5 minutes.

(2) In a position suitable for launching and recovery;

(3) In a way that neither the rescue boat nor its stowage arrangements will interfere with the operation of any survival craft at any other launching station; and

(4) If it is also a lifeboat, in compliance with the requirements of §199.130.

(b) Each rescue boat must have a means provided for recharging the rescue boat batteries from the vessel's power supply at a supply voltage not exceeding 50 volts.

(c) Each inflated rescue boat must be kept fully inflated at all times.

[CGD 84-069, 61 FR 25313, May 20, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 52819, Oct. 1, 1998]