46 CFR § 185.728 - Testing and servicing of Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRB).
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s185.728"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 185.728 - Testing and servicing of Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRB)."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "185.728"
section_name: "Testing and servicing of Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRB)."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "T"
subchapter_name: "SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS (UNDER 100 GROSS TONS)"
part_number: "185"
part_name: "OPERATIONS"
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, 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 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "185"
---
# 185.728 Testing and servicing of Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRB).
The master of the vessel shall ensure that:
(a) Each EPIRB, other than an EPIRB in an inflatable liferaft, must be tested monthly, using the integrated test circuit and output indicator, to determine that it is operative;
(b) The EPIRB's battery is replaced after it is used, or before the date required by FCC regulations in 47 CFR part 80, whichever comes sooner; and
(c) The EPIRB test required by paragraph (a) shall be logged or otherwise documented, as applicable.
[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 1005, Jan. 10, 1996, as amended by CGD 97-057, 62 FR 51050, Sept. 30, 1997]