A vessel on an international voyage subject to the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, (SOLAS) must meet the requirements in subchapter W of this chapter for passenger vessels in the same service, instead of the requirements of this part.

[CGD 85-080, 62 FR 51350, Sept. 30, 1997]

An existing vessel must comply with the requirements of this part except as otherwise specified by this section.

(a) Each inflatable liferaft, inflatable buoyant apparatus, life float, and buoyant apparatus on the vessel on March 11, 1996, may be used to meet the requirements of this part as long as the survival craft is in good and serviceable condition.

(b) An existing vessel need not comply with § 117.78(a)(4) of this part.

(c) An existing vessel must comply with either § 117.210 of this part or with the regulations for rescue boats that were in effect for the vessel prior to March 11, 1996.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 911, Jan. 10, 1996; 61 FR 24464, May 15, 1996, as amended by USCG-2012-0832, 77 FR 59781, Oct. 1, 2012]

(a) Each item of lifesaving equipment carried on board a vessel but not required under this part, must be of an approved type meeting the specifications for lifesaving equipment in subchapter Q of this chapter, or other standard specified by the Commandant.

(b) The cognizant Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) may require a vessel to carry specialized or additional lifesaving equipment if:

(1) The OCMI determines the conditions of the voyage render the requirements of this part inadequate; or

(2) The vessel is operated in Arctic, Antarctic, or other severe conditions not covered under this part.