1. (a) Except as provided by § 28.305 of this chapter, each vessel must be equipped with at least one immersion suit, exposure suit, or wearable personal flotation device of the proper size for each individual on board as specified in table 1 to § 28.110 and part 25, subpart 25.25 of this chapter. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (c) and (d) of § 25.25-1 of this chapter, each commercial fishing industry vessel propelled by sail, and each manned barge employed in commercial fishing activities, must meet the requirements of this paragraph.

2. (b) Each wearable personal flotation device must be stowed so that it is readily accessible to the individual for whom it is intended, from both the individual's normal work station and berthing area. If there is no location accessible to both the work station and the berthing area, an appropriate device must be stowed in both locations.

   Table 1 to § 28.110—Personal Flotation Devices and Immersion Suits

   Applicable waters	Vessel type	Devices required	Other regulations
   Seaward of the Boundary Line and North of 32° N or South of 32° S; and Lake Superior	Documented Vessel	Immersion suit or exposure suit	28.135; 25.25-9(a); 25.25-13; 25.25-15.
   Coastal Waters on the West Coast of the United States north of Point Reyes, CA; Beyond Coastal Waters, cold water; and Lake Superior	All vessels	Immersion suit or exposure suit	28.135; 25.25-9(a); 25.25-13; 25.25-15.
   All other waters (Includes all Great Lakes except Lake Superior)	40 feet (12.2 meters) or more in length	Wearable PFD approved under approval series 160.055, 160.155, or 160.176, or 160.255 immersion suit, or exposure suit.1	28.135; 25.25-5; 25.25-9(a); 25.25-13; 25.25-15.
   	Less than 40 feet (12.2 meters) in length	Wearable PFD approved under subchapter Q of this chapter, immersion suit, or exposure suit.1	28.135; 25.25-5; 25.25-9(a); 25.25-13; 25.25-15.
   1 A commercial hybrid approved under former approval series 160.077 prior to [EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE] may be substituted for a PFD approved under approval series 160.055, 160.155, 160.176, or 160.255 if it is in good and serviceable condition, used in accordance with the conditions marked on the PFD and in the owner's manual, and labeled for use on commercial vessels.

[USCG-2022-0120, 89 FR 97387, Dec. 6, 2024]