---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 185.730"
title: "46"
number: "185.730"
heading: "Servicing of inflatable liferafts, inflatable buoyant apparatus, inflatable life jackets, and inflated rescue boats."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/185.730"
---

# §185.730. Servicing of inflatable liferafts, inflatable buoyant apparatus, inflatable life jackets, 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 vessel, provided that the delay does not exceed 5 months.
- (c) Each inflatable life jacket must be serviced in accordance with the servicing procedure under [§ 160.176](/cfr/46/160.176.md) in subchapter Q of this chapter, or other standard specified by the Commandant.
- (d) Each hybrid inflatable life jacket or work vest must be serviced in accordance with the servicing procedure under [§ 160.077](/cfr/46/160.077.md) in subchapter Q of this chapter, or other standard specified by the Commandant.
- (e) Repair and maintenance of inflated rescue boats must be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. All repairs must be made at a servicing facility approved by the Commandant, except for emergency repairs carried out on board the vessel.

## Notes

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51359, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2001-11118, 67 FR 58542, Sept. 17, 2002]

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 6101; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.2, paragraph (II)(92)(a).

### Source

Source: CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 51359, Sept. 30, 1997; USCG-2001-11118, 67 FR 58542, Sept. 17, 2002]