Section 6566 - Life Preservers and Lifesaving Equipment-Passengers-for-Hire Vessels(a) In accordance with Federal regulation ( 46 CFR, Part 25.25 ), commercial vessels and those carrying passengers for hire shall be equipped with life preservers and other lifesaving equipment as follows:(1) Application. This section applies to each vessel to which this section applies, except: (A) Vessels used for noncommercial use;(B) Vessels leased, rented, or chartered to another for the latter's noncommercial use;(C) Commercial vessels propelled by sail not carrying passengers for hire; or(D) Commercial barges not carrying passengers for hire.(2) Definitions. As used in this section: (A) "Approved" means approved by the Commandant under 46 CFR, Part 160.(B) "Use" means operate, navigate, or employ.(3) Life preservers and other lifesaving equipment required. (A) No person may operate a vessel to which this section applies unless it meets the requirements of this section.(B) Each vessel not carrying passengers for hire less than 40 feet in length, must have at least one life preserver, buoyant vest, or special purpose water safety buoyant device intended to be worn approved by the Commandant under 46 CFR, Part 160 , of a suitable size for each person on board. Kapok and fibrous glass life preservers that do not have plastic-covered pad inserts are not acceptable as equipment required by this paragraph.(C) Each vessel carrying passengers for hire and each vessel 40 feet in length or longer not carrying passengers for hire must have at least one approved life preserver of a suitable size for each person on board. Kapok and fibrous glass life preservers which do not have plastic-covered pad inserts are not acceptable as equipment required by this paragraph.(D) Each vessel 26 feet in length or longer must have at least one ring life buoy approved under Title 46, CFR, Subparts 160.009 or 160.050, in addition to the equipment required in paragraph (B) or (C) of this section.(E) On each vessel, regardless of length and regardless of whether carrying passengers for hire, an approved commercial hybrid PFD may be substituted for a life preserver, buoyant vest, or marine buoyant device required by paragraphs (B) or (C) of this section, only if it is:1. Worn when the vessel is underway and the intended wearer is not within an enclosed space;2. Used in accordance with the conditions marked on the PFD and in the owner's manual; and3. Labeled for use on uninspected commercial vessels.(F) Each vessel not carrying passengers for hire may substitute an exposure suit for a life preserver, buoyant vest, or marine buoyant device required under paragraphs (B) or (C) of this section. Each exposure suit carried in accordance with this paragraph must be of a type approved under Title 46, CFR, Subpart 160.071.(4) Marking. The lifesaving equipment required by this section must be legibly marked as specified in 46 CFR, Part 160.(5) Storage.(A) The lifesaving equipment designed to be worn as required in subsection (3), (B) (C) and (E) must be readily accessible.(B) Lifesaving equipment designed to be thrown as required in subsection (3) (D) must be immediately available.(6) Condition. The lifesaving equipment required by this section must be in serviceable condition.(7) Retroreflective material for personal flotation devices.(A) Each life preserver, each marine buoyant device intended to be worn, and each buoyant vest carried on a vessel to which this section applies, must have Type I retroreflective material that is approved under 6 CFR, Subpart 164,018.(B) Each item required to have retroreflective material must have at least 200 sq. cm (31 sq. in.) of material attached to the front side, at least 200 sq. cm of material on its back side, and if the item is reversible, at least 200 sq. cm of material on each of its reversible sides. The material attached on each side of the item must be divided equally between the upper quadrants of the side, and the material in each quadrant must be attached as closely as possible to the shoulder area of the item.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 6566
1. Repealer and new section filed 8-21-73; designated effective 10-1-73 (Register 73, No. 34). For former section, see Register 72, No. 15.
2. Editorial correction of NOTE filed 10-11-85 (Register 85, No. 41).
3. Amendment filed 8-28-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 35).
4. Amendment filed 11-25-87; operative 12-25-87 (Register 87, No. 49). Note: Authority cited: Section 652, Harbors and Navigation Code. Reference: Sections 650 and 652, Harbors and Navigation Code.
1. Repealer and new section filed 8-21-73; designated effective 10-1-73 (Register 73, No. 34). For former section, see Register 72, No. 15.
2. Editorial correction of NOTE filed 10-11-85 (Register 85, No . 41).
3. Amendment filed 8-28-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 35).
4. Amendment filed 11-25-87; operative 12-25-87 (Register 87, No. 49).