46 CFR § 160.176-1 - Scope.

(a) This subpart contains structural and performance standards and procedures for approval of inflatable lifejackets, as well as requirements for associated manuals, servicing programs, and shore-side service facilities.

(b) Other regulations in this chapter provide that inflatable lifejackets must be:

(1) Serviced annually at designated servicing facilities; and

(2) Maintained in accordance with their user manuals.

(c) Inflatable lifejackets approved under this subpart—

(1) Rely entirely upon inflation for buoyancy;

(2) Meet the requirements for lifejackets in the 1983 Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 74/83);

(3) Have performance equivalent to Type I Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's) with any one chamber deflated; and

(4) Are designed to be worn by adults.