Lifesaving Equipment Type Approval

The Lifesaving and Fire Safety Division (CG-ENG-4) administers the Coast Guard approval program in the areas of passenger evacuation, survival and rescue equipment.  Approval guidance for the various types of lifesaving equipment can be found:

• Primary Lifesaving Equipment;
• Life Boat & Liferaft Survival Equipment
• Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) Wearable & Throwable;
• Visual Distress Signals (VDSs); and
• Thermal Protective Aids & Exposure Suits

The Coast Guard does not test materials or systems for approval but rather specifies the required test methods and minimum performance criteria for approval. Product testing must be performed by a Coast Guard Accepted or Recognized Independent Laboratory.

Generally, equipment categories 16X.0xx indicates that the approved equipment is intended to be installed or carried on a U.S. flagged on domestic voyages (Non-SOLAS).

Equipment categories 16X.1xx generally indicate that the approved equipment complies with the relevant SOLAS performance criteria and may be installed or carries on a U.S. flagged on an international voyage (SOLAS) or a domestic voyages (Non-SOLAS).

Please send the Submittal Package and other related information to TypeApproval@uscg.mil.  Please see What to submit when corresponding with ENG-4 regarding equipment approvals/renewal.  We cannot accept emails with attachments greater than 10 MB. We use the Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE) in order to receive large files.

Once the equipment has been approved by this office, it will receive Coast Guard Type Approval and a Certificate of Approval (COA). The COA will be issued for 5 years and will remain valid during that time period if the product meets the testing of the Quality Control Program.

For a complete listing of USCG Type Approved Equipment, please visit the Coast Guard Marine Information Exchange (CGMIX).