---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 197.436"
title: "46"
number: "197.436"
heading: "Liveboating."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/197.436"
---

# §197.436. Liveboating.

- (a) During liveboating operations, the person-in-charge shall insure that—
  - (1) Diving is not conducted in seas that impede station-keeping ability of the vessel;
  - (2) **Liveboating operations are not conducted—**
    - (i) From 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise; or
    - (ii) During periods of restricted visibility;
  - (3) The propellers of the vessel are stopped before the diver enters or exits the water; and
  - (4) **A boat is ready to be launched with crew in the event of an emergency.**
- (b) As used in [paragraph (a)(2)(ii)](#a-2-ii) of this section, restricted visibility means any condition in which vessel navigational visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.
- (c) During liveboating operations, the diving supervisor shall insure that—
  - (1) Diving is not conducted at depths greater than 220 fsw;
  - (2) Diving is not conducted in seas that impede diver mobility or work function;
  - (3) A means is used to prevent the diver's hose from entangling in the propellers of the vessel;
  - (4) Each diver carries a reserve breathing gas supply;
  - (5) A standby diver is available while a diver is in the water;
  - (6) Diving is not conducted with in-water decompression times greater than 120 minutes; and
  - (7) **The person-in-charge is notified before a diver enters or exits the water.**

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1509; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703, 6101; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

### Source

Source: CGD 76-009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, unless otherwise noted.