46 C.F.R. § 160.045-9
Approval procedures for throwable PFDs.
Cite as 46 C.F.R. § 160.045-9 (2026)
(a) Each application for approval of a throwable PFD must be submitted directly to a Coast Guard recognized laboratory.
(b) The recognized laboratory must determine if a throwable PFD with novel design features requires a preliminary review by the Coast Guard prior to testing. Submissions requiring preliminary review must be sent to
TypeApproval@uscg.mil
, and must include a full description and drawings. Pictures, samples, and preliminary test results may also be submitted.