---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 131.580"
title: "46"
number: "131.580"
heading: "Servicing of inflatable liferafts, inflatable lifejackets, inflatable buoyant apparatus, and inflated rescue boats."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/131.580"
---

# §131.580. Servicing of inflatable liferafts, inflatable lifejackets, inflatable buoyant apparatus, and inflated rescue boats.

- (a) An inflatable liferaft or inflatable buoyant apparatus must be serviced at a facility specifically approved by the Commandant for the particular brand, and in accordance with servicing procedures meeting the requirements of [part 160](/cfr/46/part160.md), [subpart 160.151](/cfr/46/subpart160.151.md), of this chapter—
  - (1) No later than the month and year on its servicing sticker affixed under [46 CFR 160.151-57(n)](/cfr/46/160.151-57.md?p=n), except that servicing may be delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the vessel, provided that the delay does not exceed 5 months; and
  - (2) **Whenever the container is damaged or the container straps or seals are broken.**
- (b) Each inflatable lifejacket and hybrid inflatable lifejacket or work vest must be serviced:
  - (1) Within 12 months of its initial packing; and
  - (2) Within 12 months of each subsequent servicing, except that servicing may be delayed until the next scheduled inspection of the OSV, provided that the delay does not exceed 5 months.
- (c) Each inflatable lifejacket must be serviced in compliance with [subpart 160.176](/cfr/46/subpart160.176.md) of this chapter.
- (d) Each hybrid inflatable lifejacket or work vest must be serviced in accordance with the manual provided under [§ 160.077-29](/cfr/46/160.077-29.md) of this chapter.
- (e) Repair and maintenance of inflatable rescue boats must follow the manufacturers' instructions. Each repair, except an emergency repair made aboard the vessel, must be made at a servicing facility approved by the Commandant (CG-ENG).

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 82-004 and CGD 86-074, 62 FR 49340, Sept. 19, 1997, as amended by USCG-2002-11118, 67 FR 58541, Sept. 17, 2002; USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49235, Sept. 25, 2009; USCG-2012-0832, 77 FR 59782, Oct. 1, 2012]

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101, 10104; E.O. 12234, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; E.O. 12777, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4. Section 131.990 also issued under sec. 617, Pub. L. 111-281, 124 Stat. 2905.

### Source

Source: CGD 82-004 and CGD 86-074, 62 FR 49340, Sept. 19, 1997, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 82-004 and CGD 86-074, 62 FR 49340, Sept. 19, 1997, as amended by USCG-2002-11118, 67 FR 58541, Sept. 17, 2002; USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49235, Sept. 25, 2009; USCG-2012-0832, 77 FR 59782, Oct. 1, 2012]