HI Superferry: The Question regarding Life rafts

There was a question raised during the Kauai Act. 2 Scoping Meeting about whether there are enough life rafts on the vessel for the full capacity of 866 people, and whether the requirements vary for vessels on rivers as opposed to vessels on the open seas. I promised that person I would find the code that regulates this. Here is what I found and the replies we got:

First, I put in a call to Lt. Titchen and got back a return call from an NCO Officer Johnson. Here is the code cite he gave to me:

TITLE 46--Shipping
CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SUBCHAPTER W--LIFESAVING APPLIANCES AND ARRANGEMENTS
PART 199--LIFESAVING SYSTEMS FOR CERTAIN INSPECTED VESSELS

Subpart C--ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSENGER VESSELS
§199.200 General.
§199.201 Survival craft.
§199.202 Rescue boats.
§199.203 Marshalling of liferafts.

Subpart F--EXEMPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES FOR VESSELS NOT SUBJECT TO SOLAS
§199.600 General.
§199.610 Exemptions for vessels in specified services.
§199.620 Alternatives for all vessels in a specified service.
§199.630 Alternatives for passenger vessels in a specified service.
§199.640 Alternatives for cargo vessels in a specified service.

Larry Geller inquired and got back this response also from the Coast Guard:

------- Forwarded message follows -------
Good Morning,
The quick answer is yes, the vessel is in full compliance with U.S. laws. The vessel is required to meet the SOLAS 2000 High Speed Craft Code and 46 CFR sub-chapter W for primary life saving. According to the certificate of inspection (COI) for the HSC Alakai, the vessel has over 100% life raft capacities. If you have any more questions, or need any further info, please let me know. Have a great day.

Very Respectfully,
Michael De Nyse, Commander,
14th Coast Guard District
------- End of forwarded message -------

Lastly, I got this reply from an expert on Maui:

Re: HSF Life rafts‏
From: GK
"That is checked at the COI inspection annually. Believe me they are more than careful about this. USCG makes you pull out every life jacket, life ring, and life raft and inspects each and every one. Any wear or tear, they must be replaced or no sail."

Aloha, Brad