46 CFR 169.555
§ 169.555 Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).
United States · 46 CFR — Shipping · Status: effective
Cite this
- Citation
- 46 CFR 169.555, § 169.555 Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), United States, version 1 as recorded 2026-07-09, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/230202
- Permanent ID
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Full text
(a) Each vessel certificated for exposed waters must have an approved Class A emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB), and each vessel certificated for partially protected waters must have an approved Class C emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB). The required EPIRB must be—
(1) Operational;
(2) Stowed where it is readily accessible for testing and use; and
(3) Stowed in a manner so that it will float free if the vessel sinks.
(b) Each vessel must have an additional Class B EPIRB for every twenty-five persons onboard, for use in the lifeboats and liferafts.
Legislative history
This is a federal regulation, adopted through agency rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act — not enacted by a recorded vote of Congress.