---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 175.23"
title: "33"
number: "175.23"
heading: "Serviceable condition."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/175.23"
---

# §175.23. Serviceable condition.


A PFD is considered to be in serviceable condition for purposes of [§ 175.21(a)](/cfr/33/175.21.md?p=a) only if the following conditions are met:

- (a) No PFD may exhibit deterioration that could diminish the performance of the PFD, including—
  - (1) Metal or plastic hardware used to secure the PFD on the wearer that is broken, deformed, or weakened by corrosion;
  - (2) Webbings or straps used to secure the PFD on the wearer that are ripped, torn, or which have become separated from an attachment point on the PFD; or
  - (3) **Any other rotted or deteriorated structural component that fails when tugged.**
- (b) In addition to meeting the requirements of [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section, no inherently buoyant PFD, including the inherently buoyant components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, may exhibit—
  - (1) Rips, tears, or open seams in fabric or coatings, that are large enough to allow the loss of buoyant material;
  - (2) Buoyant material that has become hardened, non-resilient, permanently compressed, waterlogged, oil-soaked, or which shows evidence of fungus or mildew; or
  - (3) **Loss of buoyant material or buoyant material that is not securely held in position.**
- (c) In addition to meeting the requirements of [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section, an inflatable PFD, including the inflatable components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, must be equipped with—
  - (1) Except as provided in [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section, a properly armed inflation mechanism, complete with a full inflation medium cartridge and all status indicators showing that the inflation mechanism is properly armed;
  - (2) Inflatable chambers that are all capable of holding air;
  - (3) Oral inflation tubes that are not blocked, detached, or broken;
  - (4) A manual inflation lanyard or lever that is not inaccessible, broken, or missing; and
  - (5) **Inflator status indicators that are not broken or otherwise non-functional.**
- (d) The inflation system of an inflatable PFD need not be armed when the PFD is worn inflated and otherwise meets the requirements of paragraphs [(a)](#a) and [(c)](#c) of this section.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 93-055, 61 FR 13926, Mar. 28, 1996]

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 4302; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

### Source

Source: CGD 72-120R, 38 FR 8115, Mar. 28, 1973, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 93-055, 61 FR 13926, Mar. 28, 1996]