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46 CFR § 169.555 - Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s169.555"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 169.555 - Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "169.555"
section_name: "Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "R"
subchapter_name: "NAUTICAL SCHOOLS"
part_number: "169"
part_name: "SAILING SCHOOL VESSELS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; § 169.117 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507."
regulatory_source: "CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "169"
---

# 169.555 Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

(a) Each vessel certificated for exposed waters must have an approved Class A emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB), and each vessel certificated for partially protected waters must have an approved Class C emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB). The required EPIRB must be—

(1) Operational;

(2) Stowed where it is readily accessible for testing and use; and

(3) Stowed in a manner so that it will float free if the vessel sinks.

(b) Each vessel must have an additional Class B EPIRB for every twenty-five persons onboard, for use in the lifeboats and liferafts.

[CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986; 51 FR 10632, Mar. 28, 1986]