At a minimum, your vessel should be equipped
with the following items:
Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's or Life
Jackets) - Vessels are required, regardless of size,
to have one PFD for each passenger on-board. PFD's need to be in good and
serviceable condition, and must be the correct size for the passenger.
If your vessel is 16 feet or larger, you must also carry at least one
Type 4 "Throwable device." These commonly are USCG approved flotation cushions
or life-rings.
Law Enforcement Officers cannot stress how important it is that life
jackets be readily accessible, and that each person is familiar with how
to wear one. The safest way to prevent accidental drowning is to wear your
life jacket at all times while on the water.
Sound Producing Device -
Vessels must be equipped with at least one efficient sound producing
device. Vessels over 39.4' must also be equipped with a bell at least 7.8
inches in diameter. Sound producing devices commonly consist of whistles,
and horns (both electric and compressed air).
Visual Distress Signals -
Vessels are required to carry visual distress signals consisting of
three daytime, and three nighttime USCG approved distress signals. Vessels
less than 16 feet are exempt from carrying daytime signals, but if equipped
for operation at night, must carry the nighttime requirement.
Flares and rockets are often approved for both day and night use, and
usually come in packs of three, meeting the day and night requirements. Distress
signals expire! Be sure and check the expiration date on the signal
yearly.
Fire Extinguishers - All
vessels with fixed or enclosed fuel tanks, closed living spaces, and closed
areas where combustible materials are stored, are required to carry USCG
approved fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers also expire and lose pressure,
check them each boating season.
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For vessels up to 25 feet in length, one type B-1 extinguisher is required.
Fixed engine compartment fire extinguishing systems count as one type B-1
extinguisher.
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For vessels 26-40 feet in length, two type B-1 or one type B-2 is required.
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For vessels 40-65 feet in length, three type B-1, or one B-2 and one
B-1 extinguisher is required.
Back-Fire Flame Arrestor -
Gasoline engines may backfire and cause the explosion of fuel vapors.
All motorboats, except outboards and diesels, must have USCG approved back-fire
flame arrestor systems on each carburetor. Arrestors must be clean and free
of built up oil and dirt.
Ventilation - All enclosed
compartments containing engines and/or fuel tanks require ventilation to
prevent the build up of explosive vapors/gasses. Ventilation systems consist
of both motorized and forced air systems. Be sure your exhaust lines extend
to the lowest parts of the bilges, and that intake lines extend below the
carburetor. Adequate ventilation, along with the proper ignition protected,
marine application parts, can help prevent a dangerous or fatal
explosion.
Again, these are minimum requirements. We are proud of boat operators
that exceed the above safety requirements and they should be examples to
others.
Secondly, some operating
tips...
Ever wonder about wakes?
Wakes are what your boat produces when it moves through the
water. Wakes can damage other boats, and in some cases, cause personal injury
or death. Boat operators are responsible for any and all damage caused by
their wake.
What about water-skier
flags? State law provides for the display of a water-skier
flag, defined as a 12" by 12" international orange or red flag on a 24" pole,
to be displayed anytime a water-skier is in the water (not up skiing).
Breaking the myth ...
For years there has been what some call a "relationship"
between recreational boating and the consumption of alcohol. Some boaters
will tell you that "There's nothing like a cold beer while cruising on the
boat." Well, that "relationship" is costing lives every year and there is
a growing "zero tolerance" policy by marine enforcement officers for boating
under the influence. What some may not realize is that boating generally
compounds the effects of alcohol unlike what a person on land might feel.
We call these compounding elements "Stressors."
The major daytime stressors that can compound effects of alcohol are:
fatigue, noise, shock, heat, sun glare, time pressure, and vibration. All
of these stressors can be present at night, with the exception of sun glare.
At night, additional stressors such as, dark adaptation, moon glare, and
background lighting are present. Stressors have the potential of increasing
the intoxicating effects of alcohol as much as 30%.
You can see how "just
a couple of beers" can lead to trouble, not to mention arrest. Please do
your part in breaking the myth.
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