---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 108.570"
title: "46"
number: "108.570"
heading: "Rescue boat embarkation, launching and recovery arrangements."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/108.570"
---

# §108.570. Rescue boat embarkation, launching and recovery arrangements.

- (a) Each rescue boat must be capable of being launched with the unit making headway of 5 knots in calm water, or with the unit anchored or bearing on the bottom in a current of up to 5 knots. A painter may be used to meet this requirement.
- (b) Each rescue boat embarkation and launching arrangement must permit the rescue boat to be boarded and launched in the shortest possible time.
- (c) If the rescue boat is one of the unit's survival craft, the rescue boat must also be as follows:
  - (1) The rescue boat must meet the embarkation arrangement and launching station requirements of [§ 108.540](/cfr/46/108.540.md).
  - (2) The rescue boat must meet the launching arrangement requirements of §§ [108.550](/cfr/46/108.550.md) and [108.557](/cfr/46/108.557.md), and if the launching arrangement uses falls and a winch, [§ 108.553](/cfr/46/108.553.md).
  - (3) If the launching arrangement uses a single fall, the rescue boat may have an automatic disengaging apparatus approved under approval series 160.170, instead of a lifeboat release mechanism.
- (d) Rapid recovery of the rescue boat must be possible when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment. If the rescue boat is also a lifeboat, rapid recovery must be possible when loaded with its lifeboat equipment and an approved rescue boat complement of at least six persons.
- (e) Each rescue boat launching appliance must be fitted with a powered winch motor.
- (f) Each rescue boat launching appliance must be capable of hoisting the rescue boat when loaded with its full rescue boat complement of persons and equipment at a rate of not less than 0.3 meters per second (59 feet per minute).

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 84-069, 61 FR 25291, May 20, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 52814, Oct. 1, 1998; USCG-2020-0519, 89 FR 76700, Sept. 18, 2024]

### Source

Source: CGD 84-069, 61 FR 25291, May 20, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3102, 3306; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: CGD 73-251, 43 FR 56808, Dec. 4, 1978, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 84-069, 61 FR 25291, May 20, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 52814, Oct. 1, 1998; USCG-2020-0519, 89 FR 76700, Sept. 18, 2024]