46 CFR § 122.508 - Wearing of life jackets.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s122.508"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 122.508 - Wearing of life jackets."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "122.508"
section_name: "Wearing of life jackets."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "K"
subchapter_name: "SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS CARRYING MORE THAN 150 PASSENGERS OR WITH OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MORE THAN 49 PASSENGERS"
part_number: "122"
part_name: "OPERATIONS"
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. 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)."
regulatory_source: "CGD 85-080, 61 FR 935, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "122"
---


# 122.508 Wearing of life jackets.

(a) The master of a vessel shall require passengers to don life jackets when possible hazardous conditions exist, including, but not limited to:

(1) When transiting hazardous bars and inlets;

(2) During severe weather;

(3) In event of flooding, fire, or other events that may possibly call for evacuation; and

(4) When the vessel is being towed, except a non-self-propelled vessel under normal operating conditions.

(b) The master or crew shall assist passengers in obtaining a life jacket and donning it, as necessary.