Current as of: Oct. 2009
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each space accessible to passengers or used by the crew on a regular basis, must have at least two means of escape, one of which must not be a watertight door.
(b) The two required means of escape must be widely separated and, if possible, at opposite ends or sides of the space to minimize the possibility of one incident blocking both escapes.
(c) Subject to the restrictions of this section, means of escape may include normal exits and emergency exits, passageways, stairways, ladders, deck scuttles, and windows.
(d) The number and dimensions of the means of escape from each space must be sufficient for rapid evacuation in an emergency for the number of persons served. In determining the number of persons served, a space must be considered to contain at least the number of persons as follows:
(1) Passenger overnight accommodation spaces: Designed capacity;
(2) Accommodation spaces having fixed seating for passengers: Maximum seating capacity;
(3) Public spaces, including spaces such as casinos, restaurants, club rooms, and cinemas, and public accommodation spaces as defined in Sec. 175.400 of this subchapter, except overnight accommodation spaces: One person may be permitted for each 0.9 square meters (10 square feet) of deck area. In computing such deck area, the following areas must be excluded:
(i) Areas for which the number of persons permitted is determined using the fixed seating criterion;
(ii) Obstructions, including stairway and elevator enclosures, elevated stages, bars, and cashier stands, but not including slot machines, tables, or other room furnishings;
(iii) Toilets and washrooms;
(iv) Interior passageways less than 860 millimeters (34 inches) wide and passageways on open deck less than 710 millimeters (28 inches) wide;
(v) Spaces necessary for handling lifesaving equipment, anchor handling equipment, or line handling gear, or in way of sail booms or running rigging; and
(vi) Bow pulpits, swimming platforms, and areas that do not have a solid deck, such as netting on multi hull vessels;
(4) Crew overnight accommodation spaces: Two-thirds designed capacity; and
(5) Work spaces: Occupancy under normal operating conditions.
(e) The dimensions of a means of escape must be such as to allow easy movement of persons when wearing life jackets. There must be no protrusions in means of escape that could cause injury, ensnare clothing, or damage life jackets.
(f) The minimum clear opening of a door or passageway used as a means of escape must not be less than 810 millimeters (32 inches) in width, however, doors or passageways used solely by crew members must have a clear opening not less than 710 millimeters (28 inches). The sum of the width of all doors and passageways used as means of escape from a space must not be less than 8.4 millimeters (0.333 inches) multiplied by the number of passengers for which the space is designed.
(g) A dead end passageway, or the equivalent, of more than 6.1 meters (20 feet) in length is prohibited.
(h) Each door, hatch, or scuttle, used as a means of escape, must be capable of being opened by one person, from either side, in both light and dark conditions. The method of opening a means of escape must be obvious, rapid, and of adequate strength. Handles and securing devices must be permanently installed and not capable of being easily removed. A door, hatch or scuttle must open towards the expected direction of escape from the space served.
(i) A means of escape which is not readily apparent to a person from both inside and outside the space must be adequately marked in accordance with Sec. 185.606 of this chapter.
(j) A ladder leading to a deck scuttle may not be used as a means of escape except:
(1) On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a vertical ladder and a deck scuttle may be used as not more than one of the means of escape from passenger accommodation space; or
(2) As not more than one of the means of escape from any crew accommodation space or work space.
(k) Each ladder used as a means of escape must be mounted at least 180 millimeters (7 inches) from the nearest permanent object in back of the ladder. Rungs must be:
(1) At least 405 millimeters (16 inches) in width; and
(2) Not more than 305 millimeters (12 inches) apart, and uniformly spaced for the length of the ladder with at least 114 millimeters (4.5 inches) clearance above each rung.
(l) When a deck scuttle serves as a means of escape, it must not be less than 455 millimeters (18 inches) in diameter and must be fitted with a quick acting release and a holdback device to hold the scuttle in an open position.
(m) Footholds, handholds, ladders, and similar means provided to aid escape, must be suitable for use in emergency conditions, of rigid construction, and permanently fixed in position, unless they can be folded, yet brought into immediate service in an emergency.
(n) On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a window or windshield of sufficient size and proper accessibility may be used as one of the required means of escape from an enclosed space, provided it:
(1) Does not lead directly overboard;
(2) Can be opened or is designed to be kicked or pushed out; and
(3) Is suitably marked.
(o) Only one means of escape is required from a space where:
(1) The space has a deck area less than 30 square meters (322 square feet);
(2) There is no stove, heater, or other source of fire in the space;
(3) The means of escape is located as far as possible from a machinery space or fuel tank; and
(4) If an accommodation space, the single means of escape does not include a deck scuttle or a ladder.
(p) Alternative means of escape from spaces may be provided if acceptable to the cognizant OCMI.
[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 961, Jan. 10, 1996; 62 FR 64306, Dec. 5, 1997]________________________________________________________________________
State Laws: Watercraft| Alabama | Alabama Code > Title 33 > Chapter 5 - Registration And Operation Of Vessels | | Alabama Code > Title 33 > Chapter 6 - Discharge Of Litter And Sewage From Watercraft | | Alabama Code > Title 33 > Chapter 6A - Recreational Vessel And Residence Boat Sewage Discharges Regulated | | Alaska | Alaska Statutes Chapter 05.25 - Watercraft | | Alaska Statutes Chapter 30.30 - Abandoned And Derelict Vessels | | Arizona | Arizona Laws > Title 5 > Chapter 3 - Boating And Water Sports | | California | California Harbors and Navigation Code > Division 3 - Vessels | | California Harbors and Navigation Code > Division 4 - Masters, Crews And Cargoes | | California Harbors and Navigation Code > Division 5 - Pilots For Monterey Bay And The Bays Of San Francisco, San Pablo, And Suisun | | Connecticut | Connecticut General Statutes > Title 15 > Chapter 268 - Boating | | Delaware | Delaware Code Title 23 > Chapter 21 - Motorboats | | Delaware Code Title 23 > Chapter 22 - Boating Safety | | Delaware Code Title 23 > Chapter 23 - Operation Of A Vessel Or Boat While Under The Influence Of Intoxicating Liquor And/Or Drugs | | Delaware Code Title 23 > Chapter 24 - Exemptions From Civil Liability For Rendering Vessel Traffic Information Services | | Florida | Florida Statutes > Title XXIV - Vessels | | Florida Regulations Chapter 61B-60 - Yacht and Ship Brokers | | Florida Regulations > Division 68D - Vessel Registration and Boating Safety | | Idaho | Idaho Code Title 67 > Chapter 70 - Idaho Safe Boating Act | | Illinois | Illinois Compiled Statutes > 625 ILCS 45 - Boat Registration and Safety Act | | Indiana | Indiana Code > Title 9 > Article 31 - Watercraft Titling And Registration | | Indiana Code > Title 25 > Article 28 - Boat Pilots | | Kansas | Kansas Statutes > Chapter 32 > Article 11 - Boating And Water Activities | | Maine | Maine Revised Statutes > Title 10 > Chapter 204-B - Watercraft Manufacturers, Distributors And Dealers | | Maine Revised Statutes > Title 10 > Chapter 212-A - Maine Marina And Boatyard Storage Act | | Maine Revised Statutes > Title 10 > Chapter 627 - Vessels | | Maine Revised Statutes > Title 12 > Chapter 935 - Watercraft And Airmobiles | | Maine Revised Statutes Title 23 > Chapter 412 - Waterborne Transportation | | Massachusetts | Massachusetts General Laws > Part I > Title XIV > Chapter 90B - Motorboats And Other Vessels | | Michigan | Michigan Laws > Chapter 123 > Act 68 of 1957 - Regulation Of Houseboats | | Michigan Laws > Chapter 445 > Act 88 of 1989 - Watercraft And Outboard Motor Manufacturers, Distributors, And Dealers | | Minnesota | Minnesota Statutes Chapter 86B - Water Safety, Watercraft, and Watercraft Titling | | Missouri | Missouri Laws > Title XIX > Chapter 306 - Watercraft Regulation and Licensing--State Water Patrol | | Nevada | Nevada Revised Statutes > Chapter 488 - Watercraft | | New Hampshire | New Hampshire Revised Statutes > Chapter 270-A - Use Of Houseboats | | New Hampshire Revised Statutes > Chapter 270-B - Abandoned Boats | | New Hampshire Revised Statutes > Chapter 270-D - Boating And Water Safety On New Hampshire Public Waters | | New Hampshire Revised Statutes > Chapter 270-E - Vessel Registration And Numbering | | New Mexico | New Mexico Statutes Chapter 66 > Article 12 - Boating | | New Mexico Statutes Chapter 66 > Article 13 - Boating While Intoxicated | | New York | New York Laws - General Business > Article 38 - Vessel Dealer Agreements | | New York | New York Laws > General Business > Article 38 - Vessel Dealer Agreements | | North Carolina | North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 75A - Boating and Water Safety | | North Dakota | North Dakota Code > Chapter 20.1-13 - Boating Regulation | | North Dakota Code > Chapter 20.1-13.1 - Intoxication Testing of Boat Operators | | North Dakota Code > Chapter 20.1-17 - Aquatic Nuisance Species | | Ohio | Ohio Code > Title 15 > Chapter 1547 - Watercraft And Waterways | | Ohio Code > Title 15 > Chapter 1548 - Watercraft Certificates Of Title | | Ohio Code > Title 45 > Chapter 4585 - Actions Relating To Watercraft | | Oregon | Oregon Statutes > Title 61 - Small Watercraft | | Rhode Island | Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 46-8. Registration of Outboard Motors | | Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 46-9. Pilots – Rhode Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, Sakonnet River, and Tributaries | | Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 46-9.1. Pilots–Block Island Sound | | Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 46-22. Regulation of Boats | | Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 46-22.1. Uniform Boat Title Act | | Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 46-22.2. Alcohol Boating Safety Act | | Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 46-27. Personal Watercraft Safety Act | | South Carolina | South Carolina Code > Title 29 > Chapter 9 - Liens On Ships And Vessels | | South Carolina Code > Title 50 > Chapter 21 - Equipment And Operation Of Watercraft | | South Carolina Code > Title 50 > Chapter 23 - Watercraft And Outboard Motors | | South Carolina Code > Title 50 > Chapter 25 - Boating And Surfing At Particular Localities | | South Dakota | South Dakota Laws > Title 32 > Chapter 03A - Title, Registration And Taxation Of Boats | | South Dakota Laws > Title 32 > Chapter 07B - Regulation Of Boat Dealers | | South Dakota Laws > Title 42 > Chapter 8 - Watercraft | | Tennessee | Tennessee Code > Title 69 > Chapter 9 - Boating Regulation | | Texas | Texas Civil Statutes > Title 132 > Chapter 19 - Boat Or Motor Manufacturers, Distributors, And Dealers | | Utah | Utah Code > Title 73 > Chapter 18 - State Boating Act | | Utah Code > Title 73 > Chapter 18 - Boating - Litter and Pollution Control | | Utah Code > Title 73 > Chapter 18 - Water Safety | | Utah Code > Title 73 > Chapter 18 - Financial Responsibility of Motorboat Owners and Operators Act | | Vermont | Vermont Statutes > Title 25 > Chapter 1 - Operation of Vessels | | Virginia | Virginia Code Title 29.1 > Chapter 7 - Boating Laws | | Virginia Code Title 29.1 > Chapter 8 - Watercraft Dealer Licensing Act | | Virginia Code Title 62.1 > Chapter 18 - Protection of Aids to Navigation | | Wisconsin | Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 780 - Liens against vessels | | Wisconsin Laws Chapter 30 > Subchapter V - Regulation of Boating |
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