August 28, 2007 - Required Boat Safety Equipment Onboard. ©

Resources

One of the best resources on safety and boating requirements is BoatSafe.com and we have referenced much of their information here in this article.

BoatSafe.com

USCG Navigation Rules

US Power Boat Squadron

American Sailing Assoc.

US Sailing

Required Boat safety equipment onboard your vessel

When you cast off make sure you have these safety items checked off and onboard


We discuss required  safety equipment, PFD's, sound signals, visual distress signals VDS, Fire extinguishers, ventilation, back fire flame arrestor, owners ships documents, navigation lights, and navigation experience, also your vessels maintenance, and lastly what to do when you get in trouble afloat.

For an easy one place to get the required equipment Marisafe has a its QuickSpec equipment requirements with drop down menu so you can pick your boat.

Safety Equipment

Here are the USCG requirements for safety gear you need to have onboard. The USCG may board your vessel to check your equipment so check to see you have the correct gear and that fire extinguishers are not out of date.

1, Personal flotation devices (PFD's) 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. This is a Throwable flotation device  (see newsletter on throwable devices)

If you do not understand the types of PFD that are recommended, then this link will let you know which Types and configurations are valid for USCG regulations.

Mustang discuses the types of PFD

Link to MyBoatsGear page for a selection of  lifejackets

The diagram below is Courtesy of Boatsafe.com and BoatingBasicsOnline.com

DESCRIPTIVE TYPES OF PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (PFDs)
	A 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 comes in two sizes: Adult size provides at least 22 pounds of buoyancy, the child size, 11 pounds, minimum.
	A TYPE II PFD, NEAR-SHORE BUOYANT 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.
	A 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.
	A 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.
	A 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. A 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.

2, 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.

3, Visual distress signals, 

For all vessels over 16 ft, Must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and night-time use. 

For boats under 16 ft, Required to carry approved visual distress signals for night-time use. Coats Guard require 3 day and 3 night signals.

This Boat safe diagram will provide you with a full description of all the available types of visual distress signals (VDS) for inland waterways and international waters. 

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.

4, 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.

5, 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. 

6, 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. 

7, 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.

8, 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.  

UK regulations powerboattraining

Vessels 12 metres to 20 metres

USCG rules for navigation lights for all vessels

9, Finally

For all the above items you MUST have them aboard your vessel.  When boarded safety inspection, 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. 

Navigation

On the water you need be able to navigate your way safely around the waterways in which you are operating, which involves keeping clear of other vessels that are around you. It also includes keeping clear of shoal waters rocks and basically staying safe in navigable water.

USCG RULES OF ROAD The rules of the road shows you the rules for approaching vessels, handling your boat in navigable waters and collision avoidance:

Boat safe has a set of cards that are very useful in navigating, understanding aids to navigation and rules of the road, how to read day shapes, signal flags chart symbols and much more. The cards are laminated plastic and are very useful quick reference and also include radio procedure is you get in  trouble.

Another very important part of boating is being able to read a chart, I have seen boats aground because they did not understand shoal poles. Sea Tow loves these people.

How to read a Nautical Chart
How many of us can read a chart or even bother. If your power goes out or you get water intrusion or you have software issues you may have to. Well know author Nigel Calder imparts his knowledge to help you understand some basic and more complicated issues.

Maintenance

The RNLI the British rescue organization has some interesting statistics regarding their rescues. They track the number of launchings of lifeboats to the problem. Number 1 problem boaters have that cause a rescue is machinery ie engine failure by 3 to 1,  after that comes adverse weather, the next is fouled propellers. 

What we can take from this is you need to maintain your engine, make sure you have clean fuel, don't start the engine with lines in the water, avoid fish traps and Check weather forecasts. Then check you steering gear, and rigging if you are sailing.

SAFETY SEAL The USCG and the USPS bring you this site from the National Dept of safety checks tells you the basic checks to make for your boat & equipment. Includes a 15 point check list for boat maintenance.

BOATING BASICS ONLINE

BoatSafe.com bring you these tips on keeping your boat in good shape.

What to do when you get in trouble
 

The most common way a boater can notify the Coast Guard is via VHF-FM radio or even a cell phone at last resort. It is strongly recommended that all boaters carry a VHF.

 Boat safe has a set of cards which includes radio procedures. Keep this card handy at or near the radio and anyone onboard can use it to broadcast a mayday or just ask for assistance.

For more information of VHF radios follow this link.

If your problem is mechanical and its not an emergency its a good idea to belong to one of these associations. Not only do they help you out in an emergency there are many benefits and they will act on your behalf at local and federal government level and also save you money with cheaper insurance.

BOAT US 
has an excellent online boating course and test that is approved by some states to satisfy boating education requirements.

AMERICAN BOATING 
Association has several benefits, towing, insurance, discounts at boatersworld.com



BOATING SAFETY 
Sea Tow sponsored site. Sea tow also have seasmartvhf.com a service for call forwarding and boat tracking.

MARISAFE

MariSafe promises recreational boaters a safer, smarter, and more secure and enjoyable on-the-water experience through the delivery of quality products, services, resources and information

NBOAT

For over 20 years, NBOA has provided benefits to boat owners nationwide. Thriving as a leading Marine Insurance corporation through an unprecedented combination of Service, Quality, and Price.

Better preparation can make life safer and more enjoyable. 

USCG Boating

USCG Auxiliary

  copyright 2006