Personal Flotation Devices(PFDs)
One approved Type I, II, or III for each person on
board or being towed on water skis etc., in addition, one throwable
Type IV device
Must be USCG approved. Must be in serviceable
condition. Must be properly stored.
NOTE:A Type V hybrid may
substituted for any Type I, II, or III device, but it must actually
be worn whenever the vessel is underway and the person is not in
the cabin or other enclosed area.
Class I:Every person on board
under the age of six (6) must wear an approved Type I, II, or III
while the vessel is underway.
Water Skier: Every person skiing
or aquaplaning must wear an approved Type I, II, or III PFD.
Inflatable PFDs are prohibited.
Fire Extinguisher
One USCG-approved B-1 type fire extinguisher is
required for all recreational motorboats except outboard-powered
motorboats less than 26 feet long if constructed in a manner that
will not allow gas fumes to accumulate. If your boat has a built-in
fuel tank, an inboard engine, compartments where portable fuel
tanks may be stored, or open areas between the hull and deck where
flammable or explosive gases could accumulate, you must carry a
fire extinguisher. Non-motorized boats are exempt from the fire
extinguisher requirements.
The fire extinguisher must be USCG approved and
must be in serviceable condition.
NOTE: When an approved
fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in the machinery
space(s), it may be counted in the place of one B-I type hand-held
portable fire extinguisher. Some fire extinguishers require
specific mounting brackets for approval. Read the label on your
fire extinguisher for this information.
Visual Distress Signal
Required on the high sea and coastal waters
only.
Must carry visual distress signal for both day and
nighttime use.
NOTE: Coastal waters
means the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and all bays, sounds,
harbors, rivers, inlets, etc. where any entrance is over two (2)
miles wide to the first point where the distance between shorelines
narrows to 2 miles.
Sound Producing Device (bell, horn, whistle,
etc.)
Every vessel less than 12 meters (39.4 ft) in
length must carry an efficient sound producing device. The sound
producing device need not meet any particular specifications, as
long as the vessel can produce signals required by the navigational
rules.
Backfire Flame Control
An effective means of controlling backfire flame of
all gasoline engines installed after April 25, 1940, except
outboard motors
Backfire flame arrestors must be USCG approved.
Ventilation (Boats built prior to August 1,
1980)
At least two ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or
their equivalent for the purpose of properly and efficiently
ventilating the bilges of every closed engine and fuel -tank
compartment of boats constructed or decked over after April 25,
1940, using gasoline as fuel or other fuels having a flash point of
110 degrees or less.
Ventilation (Boats built after August 1,
1980)
At least two ventilator ducts for the purpose of
efficiently ventilating every closed compartment that contains a
gasoline engine and every closed compartment containing a gasoline
tank, except for those having permanently installed tanks which
vent outside the boat and contain no unprotected electrical
devices. Also, engine compartments containing a gasoline engine
having a cranking motor must contain power operated exhaust blowers
which can be controlled from the instrument panel.
Vessel Lighting
Recreational vessels are required to display
navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of
reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc). The U.S. Coast Guard
Navigation Rules specify lighting requirements for every
description of watercraft. The information provided in the attached
link is for vessels less than 65.5 feet/20 meters in length. http://boat-ed.com/fl/course/p4-9_navlights.htm
Recommendations:
We further suggest that you equip your vessel with
an anchor and a sufficient amount of anchor line; a de-watering
device, such as a bilge pump in the event of flooding; and an oar,
paddle or other alternative means of propulsion in case your engine
fails. If the above equipment requirements and suggestions are met,
you may be eligible to display a FWC or Coast Guard Auxiliary
safety decal. For more information, please contact your local FWC
office.
Persons with Disabilities