CFR > Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters > CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER S—BOATING SAFETY (parts 173 to 188) > PART 175—EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS > SUBPART B—Personal Flotation Devices (§175.11 to §175.25) > 175.17—Exemptions.

175.17—Exemptions.

(a) A Type V PFD may be carried in lieu of any PFD required under § 175.15, provided:
(1) The approval label on the Type V PFD indicates that the device is approved:
(i) For the activity in which the vessel is being used; or
(ii) As a substitute for a PFD of the Type required on the vessel in use;
(2) The PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label; and
(3) The PFD is used in accordance with requirements in its owner's manual, if the approval label makes reference to such a manual.
(b) Canoes and kayaks 16 feet in length and over are exempted from the requirements for carriage of the additional Type IV PFD required under § 175.15(b).
(c) Racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes and racing kayaks are exempted from the requirements for carriage of any Type PFD required under § 175.15.
(d) Sailboards are exempted from the requirements for carriage of any Type PFD required under § 175.15.
(e) Vessels of the United States used by foreign competitors while practicing for or racing in competition are exempted from the carriage of any PFD required under § 175.15, provided the vessel carries one of the sponsoring foreign country's acceptable flotation devices for each foreign competitor on board.

Code of Federal Regulations

[CGD 92-045, 58 FR 41608, Aug. 4, 1993; 58 FR 51576, Oct. 4, 1993, as amended by CGD 97-023, 62 FR 33365, June 19, 1997; USCG-1998-3799, 63 FR 35533, June 30, 1998]