---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 116.820"
title: "46"
number: "116.820"
heading: "Seating."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/116.820"
---

# §116.820. Seating.

- (a) A seat must be provided for each passenger permitted in a space for which the fixed seating criterion in [§ 115.113(b)(3)](/cfr/46/115.113.md?p=b-3) of this subchapter has been used to determine the number of passengers permitted.
- (b) A seat must be constructed to minimize the possibility of injury and avoid trapping occupants.
- (c) Installation of seats must provide for ready escape.
- (d) Seats, including fixed, temporary, or portable seats, must be arranged as follows:
  - (1) An aisle of not more than 3.8 meters (15 feet) in overall length must be not less than 610 millimeters (24 inches) in width.
  - (2) An aisle of more than 3.8 meters (15 feet) in overall length must be not less than 760 millimeters (30 inches) in width.
  - (3) Where seats are in rows, the distance from seat front to seat front must be not less than 760 millimeters (30 inches) and the seats must be secured to a deck or bulkhead.
  - (4) Seats used to determined the number of passengers permitted, in accordance with [§ 115.113(b)(3)](/cfr/46/115.113.md?p=b-3) of this subchapter, must be secured to the deck, bulkhead, or bulwark.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 900, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by CGD 97-057, 62 FR 51047, Sept. 30, 1997]

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277, DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: CGD 85-080, 61 FR 900, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 900, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by CGD 97-057, 62 FR 51047, Sept. 30, 1997]