Exemptions for vessels in specified services.

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§ 199.610 Exemptions for vessels in specified services.

(a) All vessels. Vessels operating in coastwise, Great Lakes, lakes, bays and sounds, and rivers services are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(a) of this section.

Expand Table

Table 199.610(a) - Exemptions for All Vessels in Specified Services

Section or paragraph in this part Service
Coastwise Great Lakes Lakes, bays, and sounds Rivers
199.60(c): Distress signals (1) (1) Exempt Exempt.
199.70(a)(3)(iii): Lifebuoys fitted with smoke signals Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
199.70(b)(1)(i): Carriage of additional child-size lifejackets (2) (2) (2) (2)
199.70(b)(4)(i): Lifejacket lights (for lifejackets) (3) (3) Exempt Exempt.
199.70(c)(4)(i): Lifejacket lights (for immersion suits) (3) (3) Exempt Exempt.
199.70(b)(4)(ii): Lifejacket whistles Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
199.70(c): Immersion suits for rescue boat crew members Not Exempt Not Exempt Exempt Exempt.
199.70(c)(4)(ii): Immersion suit whistles Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
199.100(c)(1): Requirements for person-in-charge of survival craft Not Exempt Not Exempt Not Exempt Exempt.
199.100(d): Designation of second-in-command of lifeboat (4) (4) (4) Exempt.
199.110(f): Embarkation ladders at launching stations (5) (5) (5) (5)
199.130(a)(4): Survival craft stowage position Not Exempt Not Exempt Exempt Exempt.
199.170: Line-throwing appliance Not Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
199.175(b)(21)(i)(G) or 199.640(j)(4)(iii)(E): Float-free link (6) (6) (6) (6)
199.190(j): Renewal of survival craft falls Not Exempt (7) (7) (7)
199.202 or 199.262 Rescue boats (8) (8) (8) (8)
199.510: EPIRB requirement (8 9) (8 10) Exempt Exempt.

Notes:

1 Exempt if the vessel operates on a route with a duration of 30 minutes or less.

2 Exempt if the vessel does not carry persons smaller than the lower size limit of the lifejackets carried.

3 Exempt if the vessel is a ferry or has no overnight accommodations.

4 Exempt if the lifeboat has a carrying capacity of less than 40 persons.

5 Exempt if the distance is less than 3 meters (10 feet) from the embarkation deck to the water with the vessel in its lightest seagoing operating condition.

6 Exempt if the vessel operates on a route on which the water depth is never more than the length of the painter.

7 Exempt if the vessel operates on a fresh water route and inspection shows that the falls are not damaged by corrosion.

8 Exempt if the vessel is non-self propelled and in tow, moored to or alongside a MODU or a self-propelled vessel, or moored to shore.

9 Exempt if the vessel is a cargo vessel under 300 tons gross tonnage and operates on a route no more than 3 nautical miles from shore.

10 Exempt if the vessel operates on a route no more than 3 nautical miles from shore.

(b) Passenger vessels. In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (a) of this section, passenger vessels operating in coastwise; Great Lakes; lakes, bays, and sounds; and rivers service are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(b) of this section.

Expand Table

Table 199.610(b) - Exemptions for Passenger Vessels in Specified Services

Section or paragraph in this part Service
Coastwise Great Lakes Lakes, bays, and sounds Rivers
199.203: Marshalling of liferafts Not Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
199.211(b): Lights on lifebuoys (1) (1) (1) (1)
199.212(a): Carriage of additional five percent lifejackets Exempt Exempt Exempt Exempt.
199.214: Immersion suits and thermal protective aids in lifeboats Not Exempt Not Exempt Exempt Exempt.

Note:

1 Exempt if the length of vessel is under 60 meters (197 feet) and there are self-igniting lights attached to at least one-half the required lifebuoys.

(c) Cargo vessels. In addition to the exemptions in paragraph (a) of this section, cargo vessels are exempt from requirements in subparts A through E of this part as specified in table 199.610(c) of this section.

Expand Table

Table 199.610(c) - Exemptions for Cargo Vessels in Specified Services

Section or paragraph in this part Service
Oceans Coastwise Great Lakes Lakes, Bays, and Sounds Rivers
199.70(a)(3)(ii): Lights on lifebuoys Not exempt (1) (1) (1) (1)
199.80(b): Muster list (2) (2) (2) (2) (2)
199.262(a): Rescue boats (2 3) (3) (3) (3) (3)
199.273: Immersion suits Not exempt Not exempt Not exempt Exempt Exempt

Notes:

1 Exempt if the length of vessel is under 30 meters (99 feet).

2 Exempt if the vessel is under 500 tons gross tonnage.

3 Exempt if - (i) the OCMI determines the vessel is arranged to allow a helpless person to be recovered from the water.

(ii) recovery of the helpless person can be observed from the navigating bridge; and

(iii) the vessel does not regularly engage in operations that restrict its maneuverability.

[CGD 84-069, 61 FR 25313, May 20, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 52819, Oct. 1, 1998; USCG-1999-6216, 64 FR 53229, Oct. 1, 1999; USCG-2000-7790, 65 FR 58465, Sept. 29, 2000]


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