Section 281.3117. Personal flotation devices.

(1) When the marine inspector determines that any personal flotation device required to be carried onboard a vessel is not in good and serviceable condition, the owner of the vessel shall permit the marine inspector to note, in writing, on the personal flotation device, that the device is no longer serviceable. The owner of the vessel shall replace the non-serviceable devices immediately or the number of passengers allowed to be carried aboard the vessel shall be revised to equal  the number of serviceable  personal   flotation  devices  carried.  The  certificate   of inspection may be revised, at any time, for the number of these devices carried, upon request of the owner to the marine inspector.

(2)   Personal flotation devices shall be carried in suitable places which are readily accessible to the passengers onboard. The places shall be designed to allow the devices to float free when practical.

(3)   When personal flotation devices are carried so that they are readily accessible, but not readily visible to the passengers, the container shall be marked "LIFE PRESERVERS" and the number of  devices   contained  therein shall be listed. The letters

and numbers shall be at least 1 inch high and shall be a color contrasting to the color of the container. The container shall also indicate the size of the devices contained therein. Differing  sizes  shall not be mixed within a container.

(4)   On documented vessels, all required personal flotation devices shall be marked with the vessel's name in characters at least 1 inch high  and shall be a color contrasting to the color of the device.

(5)   On undocumented vessels, all required personal flotation devices shall be marked with either the vessel's name or the vessel's registration number in characters at least 1 inch high and shall be a color contrasting to the color of the device. After May 31, 1982, all personal flotation devices acquired shall be marked with the vessel's registration  number  in characters at least 1 inch high and shall be a color  contrasting to  the color of the device.

History: 1982 AACS.