33 CFR § 175.17 - Exemptions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s175.17"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 175.17 - Exemptions."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "175.17"
section_name: "Exemptions."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "S"
subchapter_name: "BOATING SAFETY"
part_number: "175"
part_name: "EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 4302; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3."
regulatory_source: "CGD 72-120R, 38 FR 8115, Mar. 28, 1973, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "175"
---


# 175.17 Exemptions.

(a) Canoes and kayaks 16 feet or more in length are exempted from the requirements for carriage of the additional throwable PFD required under § 175.15(b).

(b) Racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks are exempted from the requirements for carriage of any PFD required under § 175.15.

(c) Sailboards are exempted from the requirements for carriage of any PFD required under § 175.15.

(d) Vessels of the United States used by foreign competitors while practicing for or racing in competition are exempted from the carriage of any PFD required under § 175.15, provided the vessel carries one of the sponsoring foreign country's acceptable flotation devices for each foreign competitor onboard.

[USCG-2013-0263, 79 FR 56499, Sept. 22, 2014]