scope:

Applicability to vessels on an international voyage.

A vessel on an international voyage subject to the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, (SOLAS) must meet the requirements in subchapter W of this chapter for passenger vessels in the same service, instead of the requirements of this part.

Applicability to existing vessels.

An existing vessel must comply with the requirements of this part except as otherwise specified by this section.

(a) Each inflatable liferaft, inflatable buoyant apparatus, life float, and buoyant apparatus on the vessel on March 11, 1996, may be used to meet the requirements of this part as long as the survival craft is in good and serviceable condition.

(b) An existing vessel need not comply with § 117.78(a)(4) of this part.

(c) An existing vessel must comply with either § 117.210 of this part or with the regulations for rescue boats that were in effect for the vessel prior to March 11, 1996.