46 CFR § 160.045-1 - Scope.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s160.045-1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 160.045-1 - Scope."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "160.045-1"
section_name: "Scope."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "Q"
subchapter_name: "EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND MATERIALS: SPECIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL"
part_number: "160"
part_name: "LIFESAVING 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. 2103, 3306, 3703, 4302; E.O. 12234; 45 FR 58801; 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; and DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
cfr_part: "160"
---


# 160.045-1 Scope.

(a) This subpart contains structural and performance standards for approval of throwable PFDs for use on recreational vessels, as well as requirements for production follow-up inspections, associated manuals, information pamphlets or placards, and markings.

(b) Throwable PFDs approved under this subpart may rely entirely on inherently buoyant material, or rely entirely or partially upon inflation to achieve the minimum buoyancy.

(c) Throwable PFDs approved under this subpart are intended to meet the carriage requirements for uninspected commercial vessels under 40 ft (12 m) not carrying passengers for hire and recreational boats, in accordance with 33 CFR part 175.