46 CFR § 72.10-5 - Two means required.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s72.10-5"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 72.10-5 - Two means required."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "72.10-5"
section_name: "Two means required."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "H"
subchapter_name: "PASSENGER VESSELS"
part_number: "72"
part_name: "CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT"
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. 3306; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16903, Dec. 30, 1965, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "72"
---


# 72.10-5 Two means required.

(a) There shall be at least two means of escape from all general areas accessible to the passengers or where the crew may be quartered or normally employed. At least one of these two means of escape shall be independent of watertight doors. For stairway continuity and general requirements for stairways see § 72.05-20.

(b) Elevators shall not be considered as one of the required means of escape.

(c) Stairways serving only a space and a balcony to a space shall not be considered as one of the required means of escape.

[CGFR 65-50, 30 FR 16903, Dec. 30, 1965, as amended by CGD 72-104R, 37 FR 14233, July 18, 1972]