A BOATER’S GUIDE TO THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RECREATIONAL BOATS AND SAFETY TIPS New in this Edition: Navigation Locks Trailer Safety Digital Selective Calling Rescue 21 Naval Vessel Protection Zones America’s Waterway Watch I
TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Conversion Table (U .S ./Metric) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 REGISTRATION AND DOCUMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Life Jackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SAFETY AND SURVIVAL TIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Safe Boating Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Operator’s Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Carbon Monoxide Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Overloading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other equipment recommended for your safety and the safety of your passengers is noted in the section on Vessel Safety Checks on page REGISTRATION (33 CFR 173) AND DOCUMENTATION (46 CFR 67) 52 and in the Boater’s Pre-Departure Checklist on page 70 . There are two methods of registration for U .S . recreational vessels . Remember, drowning is the Number One cause of boating fatalities and the most preventable . The U .S .
Notification of Changes to a Numbered Vessel The owner of a vessel must notify the agency that issued the Certificate of Number within 15 days if: • The vessel is transferred, destroyed, abandoned, lost, stolen, or recovered . • The Certificate of Number is lost, destroyed, or the owner’s address changes . If the Certificate of Number becomes invalid for any reason, it must be surrendered to the issuing authority within 15 days .
The marking requirements for a documented recreational vessel state EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS “together in one place on the hull .” Many recreational vessels will place the vessel name and hailing port on the stern, and vessel name on both The United States Coast Guard sets minimum standards for sides of the bow, which is required for a commercial vessel . Although recreational vessels and associated safety equipment . To meet these not required for a recreational vessel, this is an acceptable option .
Stowage Life Jacket Requirements for Specific Activities • Wearable life jackets must be readily accessible . The U .S . Coast Guard recommends – and many states require – • You should be able to put them on in a reasonable amount of wearing life jackets when engaged in the following activities: time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc .) • They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments, or have other gear stowed on top of them .
Hybrid (Foam and Inflation) Types of Life Jackets • Reliable . A Type I, Off-Shore Life Jacket provides the most buoyancy . It is • Provides Inherent and Inflatable Buoyancy . effective for all waters, especially open, rough, or remote waters • Adult, Youth, and Child sizes . where rescue may be delayed . It is designed to turn an unconscious • For swimmers and non-swimmers . wearer to a face-up position in the water . • Wearable styles only . • Some designed for water sports .
A Type III, Flotation Aid is good for users in calm, inland waters, or A Type V, Special-Use Device is intended anywhere there is a good chance of quick rescue . The wearer may for specific activities and may be carried have to tilt their head back to remain in a face-up position in the water . instead of another life jacket only if used The Type III foam vest has the same minimum buoyancy as a Type II .
Test the Fit Visual Distress Signals (33 CFR 175.101) Start with a life jacket that is U .S . Coast Guard-approved . Try it on . It should fit comfortably snug . Then give it this test: with all straps, Vessels operating on U .S . coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and zippers, and ties securely fastened, raise your arms over your head . territorial seas, as well as those waters connected directly, up to a The jacket should stay in place and not ride up .
Launchers manufactured before January 1, 1981, and intended for Electric Distress Light use with approved signals, are not required to be U .S . Coast Guard- • Acceptable for night use only . approved as long as they remain in serviceable condition . • Automatically flashes the If pyrotechnic devices are selected, a minimum of three signals are required for day use and three signals for night use . Some pyrotechnic signals meet both day and night use requirements (combination flares) .
The following are just a few of the many combinations of devices that Fire Extinguishers (46 CFR 25) will meet the requirements: U .S . Coast Guard-approved, marine-type fire extinguishers are required • 3 hand-held red flares that are approved for day/night use . on boats where a fire hazard could be expected from the engines or • 1 hand-held red flare and 2 parachute flares for day/night use . fuel system . Extinguishers are classified by a letter and number symbol .
Fire extinguishers are required on boats when any of the following Minimum Number of Hand-Portable Fire Extinguishers Required conditions exist: • There are closed compartments and compartments under seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored . • There are double bottoms not sealed to the hull or that are not completely filled with flotation materials . • There are closed living spaces . • There are closed stowage compartments, in which combustible or flammable materials are stored .
Each exhaust opening or exhaust duct must originate in the lower onethird of the compartment . Each supply opening or supply duct and each exhaust opening or duct in a compartment must be above the normal accumulation of bilge water .
The following matrix provides the sound producing devices required for Navigation Lights (33 CFR 83) vessels: Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights between International Waters Vessel Length Whistle 12 meters or more (39 .4 ft .) X 20 meters or more (65 .6 ft .) X 100 meters or more (328 .1 ft .) X Bell sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility (fog, rain, Gong haze, etc .) The U .S .
If your power-driven vessel is less than 23 feet (7 meters) in length A sailing vessel of less than 23 feet and its maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots, then it may display (7 meters) in length shall, if practicable, an all-round white light and, if possible, sidelights, instead of the lights exhibit lights as shown . (Figures 3 or prescribed previously . (International Rules only .) 4 .
During the day: All vessels at anchor must display forward, where it Vessels Restricted in their Ability to Maneuver can be best seen, a black ball shape . (See Figure 9 .) Navigation Rules require vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver to display appropriate day shapes (ball/diamond/ball) or lights .
Pollution Regulations (33 CFR 151/155) Report the following information: Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 prohibits throwing, discharging, or deposit- • Location of the incident . ing any refuse matter of any kind (including trash, garbage, oil, and • Size/quantity (estimated amount of material released) . other liquid pollutants) into the waters of the United States . • Description, color, consistency, odor .
Note: state and local laws may place further restrictions on the disposal Marine Sanitation Devices (33 CFR 159) of garbage . All recreational boats with installed toilet facilities must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board . Vessels 65 feet and Garbage Type Discharge Plastics – includes synthetic ropes, fishing nets, and plastic bags Prohibited in all areas Comminuted or ground food waste, paper, rags, glass, etc . Prohibited less than 3 miles from nearest land U .S .
OPERATING PROCEDURES Navigation Rules Boaters call navigation rules – the basic laws governing the steering or sailing of a boat – “The Rules of the Road .” These Rules define the roles and responsibilities of vessel operators . If all operators followed these rules, most accidents could be avoided . The Rules are divided into two parts, Inland and International .
Aids to Navigation Meeting Head-On Port-to-Port Passing (preferred) Navigation buoys and beacons are placed along coastal and navigable waters as guides to mark safe water and hidden dangers, as well as to assist boat operators in determining their position in relation to land . Each aid to navigation provides specific information . 1 short blast (1 sec .) 1 short blast (1 sec .
Lateral Aids Information and Regulatory Markers Lateral aids marking the sides of channels, as seen when entering from These orange-and-white Aids are used to alert vessel operators seaward . to various warnings and regulations . .
X X X X (a) One Type I, II, III, or V wearable life jacket for each person on board . Must be U .S . Coast Guard-approved . (b) In addition, must carry one Type IV throwable device . (a) One electric distress light, or three combination day/night red flares . Note: only required to be carried on board when the vessel is operating between sunset and sunrise .
Nautical Charts Safe Water Markers These Aids are used to mark fairways, mid-channels, and offshore approach points . They have unobstructed water on all sides . A buoy, lighted or unlighted, may show a red topmark . An appropriate nautical chart must be consulted to determine exact position N N Unlighted N or w/o with sound G NNN RW “N” A RW “N” Mo (A) Lighted with or w/o sound G RW “N” RW “A” AAA MR SP “G” G GG Spherical Characteristics • White and red vertical stripes .
Dams and Navigation Locks LAW ENFORCEMENT Low-head Dams A vessel underway when hailed by a Coast Guard vessel is required Those boating on rivers need to be aware of their location in regard to dams in their boating Backwash Boil to come aboard . (See “U .S . Coast Guard Boarding Policy: What to Expect” page 50 .) area .
Boating Under the Influence (BUI) (46 USC 2302 (c)/33 CFR 95) Reporting Boating Accidents (33 CFR 173.55) Operating a vessel while intoxicated is dangerous and a federal of- The operator or owner of any recreational boat is required to file a fense . If an operator of a recreational boat has a blood alcohol content Boating Accident Report if the boat is involved in an accident that of .08 ( .
apply . To download a Reference Guide to State Boating Laws and ger, cargo, and/or commercial fishing) and to check for compliance find more information regarding accident reporting, visit the U .S . Coast with all applicable federal laws and regulations . Guard Boating Safety Division website at www .uscgboating .org .
VESSEL SAFETy CHECK The U .S . Coast Guard would like to see all vessels in compliance with equipment carriage requirements and safely operated . If you are uncertain about the safety requirements for your vessel, one way to make sure you are in compliance is to schedule a Vessel Safety Check (VSC), offered as a free public service by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons®, volunteer organizations dedicated to assisting the U .S . Coast Guard in promoting boating safety .
SAFETy AND SURVIVAL TIPS Operator’s Responsibilities Your degree of enjoyment on the water depends on you, your Safe Boating Education equipment, and other people who, like yourself, boat responsibly . Training is important for boaters of all experience levels, but especially As a boat operator, you should: for the beginning boater .
CO can collect within a boat in a variety of ways . Exhaust leaks – the Install a carbon monoxide detector in each accommodation space on leading cause of carbon monoxide fatalities – can allow CO to migrate your boat . Check the detectors periodically to be sure they are throughout the boat and into enclosed areas . Even properly vented ex- functioning properly . haust can re-enter a boat if it is moored too close to a dock or another boat, or if the exhaust is pushed back by prevailing winds .
Overloading Anchoring Never load your boat with passengers and cargo beyond its safe Anchoring is done for two principal reasons: 1) to stop for fishing, carrying capacity . Too many people and/or too much gear can cause swimming, lunch, or an overnight stay, and 2) to keep the boat from the boat to become unstable . Always balance the load so that the boat running aground in bad weather or as a result of engine failure . maintains proper trim .
• Secure the anchor line to the bow cleat at the point you want it to stop . Improper use of a radio-telephone is a criminal offense . The use of obscene, indecent, or profane language during radio communications • Bring the bow of the vessel into the wind or current . is a federal offence . Penalties exist for misuse of a radio, such as • When you get to the spot you want to anchor, place the engine in issuing a false distress call . neutral .
Immersion Suits Immersion suits will delay the effects of hypothermia in cold water . (See page 63 .) They should be properly stowed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions . Determining your Location It is advisable to carry on board a device to determine your position, such as a Global Positional System (GPS) . These devices can be mounted or hand-held and will provide the boater with an accurate location to aid rescue agencies in the event of an emergency .
Cold water survival can be broken down into three phases: • cold Shock: an initial deep and sudden gasp followed by hyperventilation . Cold shock will pass in about one minute . • cold Incapacitation: in the next 10 minutes you will lose the effective use of your fingers, arms, and legs for any meaningful movement . Concentrate on self-rescue . • Hypothermia: Depending on the temperature of the water, loss of consciousness may occur in as little as one hour .
boat cannot drift away after launching and can be easily maneuvered to the docking area . • Visually inspect the launch ramp for hazards, such as a steep drop off, slippery area, and sharp objects . Proceed slowly to the Fueling Precautions Most fires and explosions happen during or shortly after fueling . To avoid an accident, follow these safety guidelines . ramp, remembering that your boat is just resting on the trailer and • Refuel any portable tanks ashore . attached only at the bow .
WARNING EXPOSED PROPELLER BLADES What to Do in Severe Weather • Reduce speed, keeping just enough power to maintain headway . • Make sure everyone on board is wearing their life jacket . • Turn on your running lights . • If possible, head for the nearest shore that is safe to approach . • Head the boat into the waves at a 45 degree angle . • Keep the bilges free of water .
BOATER’S PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST Recommended Equipment and Supplies Know your vessel . Before departure, always be sure your vessel is VHF-FM Marine Radio in good working order and properly equipped for emergencies .
Safety Checks and Tests yes No N/A Test VHF Marine Radio (Voice Call) Test Navigation and Anchor Lights Test Steering (Free Movement) SAMPLE FLOAT PLAN The Coast Guard makes Float Plan forms available online at www .uscgboating .org . Complete a Float Plan before boating and leave it with a person who can be depended upon to notify the U .S . Coast Guard or other marine rescue organization, should you not return as scheduled . Test Tilt/Trim Remember: Do not file this plan with the U.S. coast Guard.
5. Marine Radio: yes EMERGENCy NOTIFICATION/COMMUNICATION No Type Freqs . Digital Selective Calling (DSC): Yes Satellite EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) No Emergency distress beacons are essentially specialized radio transmit- 6. Trip Expectations ters that are designed for use in situations of grave or imminent danger Depart from Departure Date or when lives are at risk .
Satellite EPIRBs also include a homing beacon and strobe to help rescue forces quickly locate the distress scene . Satellite beacons have significant coverage, with alerting timeliness, position accuracy, and signaling advantages over other devices . Before purchasing or using other-than a 406MHz EPIRB, be sure you understand its capabilities and limitations . Mount the EPIRB to float free, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, if possible . Otherwise, make sure it is readily accessible .
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Digital Selective Calling (DSC), allows boaters to instantly send an automatically formatted distress alert to the Coast Guard or other rescue authority anywhere in the world . Digital Selective Calling also allows boaters to initiate or receive distress, urgency, safety, and routine radiotelephone calls to or from any similarly equipped vessel or shore station, without requiring either party to be near a radio loudspeaker .
5 . Also give: • Vessel name, number and/or description . OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES • Position and/or location . Regulated Navigation Areas/Limited Access Areas (33 CFR 165) • Nature of emergency . In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the earlier attack on the USS Cole in Aden Harbor, Yemen, the United States Coast Guard established Safety and Security Zones to prevent further attacks on U .S .
Commercial Shipping Safety Zones America’s Waterway Watch In addition to the Naval Vessel Protection Zone requirements, you must also avoid operating your vessel near all military vessels, cruise liners, and certain commercial vessels . If you operate a towboat, marina, recreational vessel, fishing vessel, or otherwise live, work, or engage in recreational activities on or near the nation’s waterways, the United States Coast Guard would like your help in keeping these areas safe and secure .
• Someone anchoring, fishing, or diving in an area not typically used for that activity . • Unattended vessels in unusual locations . • Unusual transfer of personnel or cargo while underway . • Seeing a hole in a security fence around an industrial facility . USCG INFORMATION United States Coast Guard Boating Safety Division (CG-5422) 2100 2nd Street SW, STOP 7581 Washington, D.C. 20593-7581 (202) 372-1062 www.uscgboating.
The U .S . Coast Guard thanks the following partners for their support: U .S . Coast Guard Auxiliary www .cgaux .org United States Power Squadrons® (888) 367-8777 www .usps .org National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (859) 225-9487 www .nasbla .org National Safe Boating Council (703) 361-4294 www .safeboatingcouncil .org National Water Safety Congress (440) 209-9805 www .watersafetycongress .
