---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 169.555"
title: "46"
number: "169.555"
heading: "Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/169.555"
---

# §169.555. Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

- (a) Each vessel certificated for exposed waters must have an approved Class A emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB), and each vessel certificated for partially protected waters must have an approved Class C emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB). The required EPIRB must be—
  - (1) Operational;
  - (2) Stowed where it is readily accessible for testing and use; and
  - (3) Stowed in a manner so that it will float free if the vessel sinks.
- (b) Each vessel must have an additional Class B EPIRB for every twenty-five persons onboard, for use in the lifeboats and liferafts.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986; 51 FR 10632, Mar. 28, 1986]

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; § 169.117 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.

### Source

Source: CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986; 51 FR 10632, Mar. 28, 1986]