46 CFR § 160.255-1 - Scope.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s160.255-1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 160.255-1 - Scope."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "160.255-1"
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: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
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"
---


# 160.255-1 Scope.

(a) This subpart contains structural and performance standards for approval of Level 100 lifejackets, as well as requirements for production follow-up inspections, markings, information placards, and associated manuals.

(b) Lifejackets approved under this subpart must rely upon inherently buoyant material, inflation, or a combination to achieve the minimum buoyancy.

(c) Lifejackets approved under this subpart are intended to meet the carriage requirements for wearable PFDs for uninspected passenger vessels, uninspected commercial vessels over 40 ft (12m) and for inspected vessels.