A, Personal flotation devices (PFD) or Lifejackets. One approved Type I, II or III PFD for each person on board or being towed on water skis, etc.; and one throwable Type IV device. ( A type V PFD may be used in lieu of any wearable PFD, if approved for the activity in which it is being used. A TYPE V HYBRID MUST be worn to be legal.) . A type IV lifejacket is required for all boats over 16ft, which is a Throwable flotation device. NOTE; Coast Guard requires special PFD's for children under 12 and wearing them on deck is mandatory, whereas for Adults wearing is only recommended. Types of PFD valid for USCG regulations. Type I PFD, or Offshore Life Jacket provides the most buoyancy. It is effective for all waters, especially open, rough, or remote waters where rescue may be delayed. It is designed to turn most unconscious wearers in the water to a face-up position. The TYPE I come in two sizes: Adult size provides at least 22 pounds of buoyancy, the child size, 11 pounds, minimum. Type II PFD, Near-Shore Buoyancy Vest is intended for calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. This type will turn some unconscious wearers to a face-up position. The turning action is not as pronounced nor as effective as a TYPE I. An adult size provides at least 15.5 pounds buoyancy; a medium child size provides 11 pounds. Infant and small child sizes each provide at least 7 pounds buoyancy. Type III PFD, or flotation aid is good for calm, inland water, or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. It is designed so that wearers can put themselves in a face-up position in the water. The wearer may have to tilt their head back to avoid turning face down. TYPE III has the same minimum buoyancy as a TYPE II PFD. Float coats, fishing vests, and vests designed for various water sports are examples. Some Type III PFDs are designed to be inflated upon entering the water. Type IV PFD, or Throwable Device is intended for calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic, where help is always present. It is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held by the user until rescued. It is not designed to be worn. Type IV devices include buoyant cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys. Type V PFD, or Special Use Device is intended for specific activities and may be carried instead of another PFD only if used according to the approval condition on the label. Some Type V devices provide hypothermia protection. Varieties include deck suits, work vests, board sailing vests, and Hybrid PFDs. Type V Hybrid Inflatable PFD is the least bulky. It contains a small amount of inherent buoyancy and an inflatable chamber and must be worn when underway to be acceptable. This type is designed to automatically inflate upon entering the water.
B, Sound signals Every vessel 39.4 ft (12 meters) or larger in length must carry a whistle or horn and a bell. The whistle must be audible for 1/2 nautical mile. The mouth of the bell must be at least 7.87 inches (200mm) in diameter. However you do not need to carry a bell if you are operating on international waters. Every vessel less than 39.4 ft (12 meters) in length must carry an efficient sound producing device.
C, Visual distress signals VDS For all vessels over 16 ft, Must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and night-time use. For boats less than 16 ft, required to carry approved visual distress signals for night-time use. Coast Guard requires 3 day and 3 night signals. For a full description and diagrams of all the available types of visual distress signals (VDS) for inland waterways and international waters, try the wwwboatsafe.com web site. Note it is important to check dates for flares and rockets and smoke signals as these will be checked by the coast guard, plus its for your safety, Pyrotechnics have a shelf life of 42 months.
D, Fire extinguisher For vessels less than 16ft: One B-I type approved hand portable fire extinguisher. (Not required on outboard motorboats less than 26 ft in length if the construction of the motorboat is such that it does not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors and if fuel tanks are not permanently installed.) For vessels 26ft to 40ft: Two B-I type OR one B-II type approved portable fire extinguishers. For vessels 40 ft to 65ft: Three B-I type OR one B-I type PLUS one B-II type approved portable fire extinguishers. If a fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in engine and machinery rooms, it will replace one B-I portable fire extinguisher.
E, Ventilation (For Boats built after 8/1/80) They must have at least two ventilation ducts capable of efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contain gasoline machinery and fuel tanks, except those having installed tanks which vent outside of the boat and do not contain electrical equipment. Engine compartments containing a gasoline engine with a cranking motor are additionally required to contain power operated exhaust blowers which can be controlled from the instrument panel. (For Boats built before 8/1/80) They must have at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment using gasoline as fuel or other fuels having a flashpoint of 110 degrees or less.
F, Back-Fire flame arrestor Back-fire Flame Arrestor. One approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors. Note: Some states have requirements in addition to the federal requirements. Check your state's boating laws.
G, Owners/ships documents Carry either State registration or documentation papers. Since 9-11, the U.S. Coast Guard can ask you to produce a pictured identification card, such as a driver's license.
H, Navigation Lights If you are going to be afloat after sundown then you will need Navigation lights. These are the regulations for the UK and USA as provided by Power Boat Training and the USCG. Vessels 12 meters to 20 meters ? Masthead light - 3 miles. ? Sidelight and stern light - 2 miles. ? All round lights - 2 miles. Vessels under 12 meters ? Masthead light - 2 miles. ? Sidelight - 1 mile. ? Stern light - 2 miles. ? All round lights - 2 miles.
I, Inspection When boarded for a safety inspection check by the USCG, failure to produce any of this equipment could result in fine and/or termination of your voyage. Make sure your safety equipment is in good working condition. Check your expiration dates for VDS and Fire Extinguishers.
Safe boating is something that we all believe that we do and think we know how to do, but the reality is probably somewhat less than is desired. Being a lifelong fisherman and boater, I recognize the fact that many of us take boating safety for granted way too often. Neglecting the simplest of marine safety basics cause way to many accidents and tragedies each year on our waterways. All to often we read about or hear about boating mishaps, boats capsizing or a myriad of boat stories that do not end well, all because of lack of pre-planning or the lack of general knowledge of boat safety.
One important tip would be to take a boating safety course. There are many courses available across the country for all types of recreational boaters, and for boaters of all ages. Taking one of these courses could mean the difference between a great day on the water with your friends and family, or a bad experience that you would not wish upon your worst enemy.
You can seek out qualified volunteer organizations, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadron, and other sponsors that provide many safety courses that are open to the general public. Many state boating agencies also provide boat safety classes.
These courses will cover many aspects of boating safety, proper boat anchoring, safety equipment, boat handling skills, navigation, boating problems and emergencies, trailering, storing and protecting your boat, to reading the weather, and classes geared to courses for kids and younger boaters who want to learn boating and navigation skills. The most popular basic courses generally have from 6 to 13 lessons to provide a foundation of boat operational and safety instruction. Many boating classes will give you the knowledge needed to obtain a boat license or safety certification in many states. Many boat insurance companies will offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete boating safely course.
A safe boater will always have the appropriate nautical charts on board their vessel and will be familiar with their surroundings. The exact meaning of an aid to navigation may not be clear to the boater unless the appropriate marine chart is consulted. Also each boater should file a float plan with a friend or family member that outlines the days activities that are planned. This is helpful to provide the Coast Guard with a general area to search in case you are not back home in a reasonable timeframe.
It is also critical that your vessel have the necessary safety equipment onboard. The necessities include, but are not limited to, personal flotation devices (PFD's) that properly fit each person onboard, visual distress signals, flares for both day-time and night-time use, bell, whistle, fire extinguisher, throw ring, cell phone, VHF radio.
It is also important to have an understanding of navigation, aids to navigation and the rules of the road. These simple, yet often overlooked basics lead to many unfortunate mishaps on the water. Aids to navigation are the road signs on the water and it is what controls how boats navigate and pass one another. Learning to understand them requires experience and practice.
Protect yourself and your family, be better prepared the next time you go boating.
Both Lyndon Ogden & Greg Smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.