91.509 Survival Equipment for Aviation Overwater Operations

   (a)  No person may take off an airplane for a flight over water more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest shore unless that airplane is equipped with a life preserver or an approved flotation means for each occupant of the airplane.  
   (b)  No person may take off an airplane for a flight over water more than than 30 minutes flying time or 100 nautical miles from the nearest shore unless it has on board the following survival equipment:
   (1)  A life preserver, equipped with an approved survivor locator light, for each occupant of the airplane.
   (2)  Enough liferafts (each equipped with an approved survival locator light) of a rated capacity and buoyancy to accomodate the occupants of the airplane.  
   (3)  At least one pyrotechnic signaling device for each liferaft.
   (4)  One self-buoyant, water-resistant, portable emergency radio signaling device that is capable of transmission on the appropriate emergency frequency or frequencies and not dependent upon the airplane power supply.  
   (5)  A lifeline stored in accordance with 25.1411 (g) of this chapter.
   (c)  The required liferafts, life preservers, and signaling devices must be installed in conspicuously marked locations and easily accessible in the event of ditching without appreciable time for preparatory procedures.
   (d)  A survival kit, appropriately equipped for the route to be flown, must be attached to each required liferaft.
   (e)  As used in this section, the term shore means that area of land adjacent to the water which is above the high water mark and excludes land areas which are intermittently under water.  

The above information is excerpted from the 2002 ASA FAR/AIM which is republished from U.S. DOT, Title 14 CFR. It is designated 91.509 and is located in Subpart F-Large and Turbine Powered Multiengine Airplanes. All information should be verified current and accurate by the owner/operator prior to use.