33 CFR § 183.114 - Test of flotation materials.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s183.114"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 183.114 - Test of flotation materials."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "183.114"
section_name: "Test of flotation materials."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "S"
subchapter_name: "BOATING SAFETY"
part_number: "183"
part_name: "BOATS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 4302; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, para. II, (92)(b). Subpart E is also authorized by Pub. L. 114-120, 130 Stat. 27"
regulatory_source: "CGD 72-61R, 37 FR 15782, Aug. 4, 1972, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "183"
---


# 183.114 Test of flotation materials.

(a) *Vapor test.* The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed in a fully saturated gasoline vapor atmosphere for 30 days at a minimum temperature of 38 °C.

(b) *24-hour gasoline test.* The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 24 hours at 23 plus or minus 2 °C in reference fuel B, of ASTM D 471 (incorporated by reference, see § 183.5).

(c) *30-day gasoline test.* The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 30 days at 23 plus or minus 2 °C in reference fuel B, of ASTM D 471 (incorporated by reference, see § 183.5).

(d) *24-hour oil test.* The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 24 hours at 23 plus or minus 2 °C in reference oil No. 2, of ASTM D 471 (incorporated by reference, see § 183.5).

(e) *30-day oil test.* The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 30 days at 23 plus or minus 2 °C in reference oil No. 2, of ASTM D 471 (incorporated by reference, see § 183.5).

(f) *24-hour bilge cleaner test.* The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 24 hours at 23 plus or minus 2 °C in a 5-percent solution of trisodium phosphate in water.

(g) *30-day bilge cleaner test.* The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 30 days at 23 plus or minus 2 °C in a 5-percent solution of trisodium phosphate in water.

(h) The buoyant force reduction in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section is measured in accordance with ASTM D 2842 (incorporated by reference, see § 183.5).

Table 183.114—Flotation Performance Tests

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (a) Vapor test |  | X |  |
| (b) 24 hour gasoline test |  |  | X |
| (c) 30 day gasoline test | X |  |  |
| (d) 24 hour oil test |  |  | X |
| (e) 30 day oil test | X |  |  |
| (f) 24 hour bilge cleaner test |  |  | X |
| (g) 30 day bilge cleaner test | X |  |  |

[CGD 77-145, 43 FR 56859, Dec. 4, 1978; 44 FR 47934, Aug. 16, 1979, as amended by USCG-2000-7223, 65 FR 40059, June 29, 2000]