Where practicable and except as provided in § 144.515, each space where crew may be quartered or normally employed must have at least two means of escape. Arrangements on an existing vessel may be retained if it is impracticable or unreasonable to provide two means of escape.

The two required means of escape must be widely separated and, if possible, at opposite ends or sides of the space. Means may include normal and emergency exits, passageways, stairways, ladders, deck scuttles, doors, and windows.

On a vessel of 65 feet (19.8 meters) or less in length, a window or windshield of sufficient size and proper accessibility may be used as one of the required means of escape from an enclosed space, provided it:

(a) Does not lead directly overboard;

(b) Is suitably marked; and

(c) Has a means to open the window or break the glass.

Only one means of escape is required from a space where:

(a) The space has a deck area less than 30 square meters (322 square feet);

(b) There is no stove, heater, or other source of fire in the space;

(c) The means of escape is located as far as possible from a machinery space or fuel tank; and

(d) If an accommodation space, the single means of escape does not include a deck scuttle or a ladder.