46 CFR § 161.011-5 - Types.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s161.011-5"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 161.011-5 - Types."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "161.011-5"
section_name: "Types."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "Q"
subchapter_name: "EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND MATERIALS: SPECIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL"
part_number: "161"
part_name: "ELECTRICAL 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. 3306, 3703, 4302; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
cfr_part: "161"
---


# 161.011-5 Types.

EPIRBs are typed as follows:

(a) Category 1—EPIRBs are capable of floating free of a vessel and activating automatically if the vessel sinks.

(b) Category 2—EPIRBs are manually removed from the mounting bracket and activated.

[USCG-2020-0519, 89 FR 76703, Sept. 18, 2024]