Operational facilities that exceed 35 mph require Auxiliarists to wear 50mph rated life jackets. Operational facilities are required to carry 2 PFDs over the min. required. Must these be rated 50mph?

CG-BSX-1 has determined, with input from both the Auxiliary STAN Team and the Office of Boat Forces, that the 2 spare life jackets do not need to be rated. The reasoning is the intended use of the spare jackets. They are not intended to be used for crew and authorized guests who are required to have properly rated life jackets. They are for PIW's or for passengers of a vessel being towed. The logic being that the high speed ops are going to be conducted 'getting on scene' and not 'on scene'.  On the active duty side the vests would be considered 'survivor vests' and not have to meet the same standards as crew.

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Updated 5 November 2015 per Dir-R