Green Valley Lake Community Association, Inc. C/O C & C Property Management
500 Merchant Street, Suite A, Vacaville California 95688 707-447-6088 FAX 707-447-2831 Email: [email protected]
Association Lake Use Policy Revised Sept 2015
Green Valley Lake is a man-made water detention basin with the primary function of controlling floods in the region. It also serves as a water feature amenity for the community. The Association has the responsibility to maintain and repair the entire lake and its affiliated components. In addition, the Association is also responsible for managing the use of the lake to insure it remains a safe and functional asset for the community. These rules are intended to facilitate proper management of the lake.
Swimming in the lake is strictly forbidden This is due to potentially dangerous hazards in the lake including entanglement hazards from aquatic plants, and the inconsistent water clarity cause by algae blooms throughout the year.
Access: Green Valley Lake is for the EXCLUSIVE USE of Green Valley Lake Residents. Owners on the lake may access the lake through their backyard. For all others, there is a small dock at the clubhouse with a Board access ramp. The gate is locked and keyed the same as the park/pool gates. Members may use the ramp to launch the NON-POWERED boats (Paddle boats, canoes, rowboats, etc), and to fish. NOTE: Coast Guard Approved life vest must be worn by anyone using the lake in a non-powered boat or canoe. NO EXCEPTIONS
General Rules:
1. No one may walk along the wooden Lake Bulkhead. The Bulkhead behind lakeside homes is private property and is for the exclusive use of the lakeside owner.
2. Personal Boats (paddle boats, row-boats, etc) which are stored in the water behind lakeside homes must be secured in a manner that does not damage the bulkhead. No fasteners, holes, or other modifications to the Bulkhead are allowed.
3. No one is allowed to access the lake by climbing over the fences. The four lake viewing areas off of Lakeshore Drive are never to be used as access points to the lake.
4. No children under the age of 14 may be on the dock without a supervising adult. 5. Dogs are not allowed on the dock at any time 6. No Smoking on the Dock 7. Alcohol is not allowed on the dock or any common area at any time. 8. DO NOT feed the Ducks, Geese, or any other wildlife in the lake. Feeding pollutes the water and is
detrimental to the health of the birds. 9. The dock is available to Homeowners and guests, as long as the guests are accompanied by the
responsible homeowner. 10. No loud or unruly parties will be allowed on or around the dock. 11. No glass containers are allowed on the dock. 12. Throwing any items into the lake (i.e. skipping rocks) is prohibited. 13. The dock will be open to the community daily from 9:00 AM to dusk. 14. Please clean up after yourselves and throw all trash into one of trash containers located around the
clubhouse.
Fishing Rules: Fishing Season is from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend
1. This is a Catch and Release Fishing Site - BARBLESS Hooks are required. If a fish swallows a hook, the line must be cut.
2. No spear fishing is allowed. 3. Fishing after dusk is prohibited 4. To prevent introduction of invasive species: No live bait may be used at any time. 5. Fishing Licenses are not required for homeowners, but are required for guests of homeowners 6. Introducing any live animals such as fish, turtles, snakes, into the lake is strictly prohibited. 7. No Lifeguard on Duty – All Fishing activity is at your own risk.
I
A BOATER’S GUIDE TO THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RECREATIONAL BOATSAND SAFETY TIPS
New in this Edition: NavigationLocks
TrailerSafety
DigitalSelectiveCalling
Rescue21
NavalVesselProtectionZones
America’sWaterwayWatch
II 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
ConversionTable(U .S ./Metric) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
REGISTRATIONANDDOCUMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
EQUIPMENTREQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
LifeJackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
VisualDistressSignals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
FireExtinguishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
BackfireFlameControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
SoundProducingDevices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
NavigationLights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
PollutionRegulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
MarineSanitationDevices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
OPERATINGPROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
NavigationRules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
AidstoNavigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
QUICKREFERENCECHART:RequiredEquipment . . . . . . . . .42
NauticalCharts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
DamsandNavigationLocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
LAWENFORCEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
NegligentOperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
BoatingUndertheInfluence(BUI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
TerminationofUse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
ReportingBoatingAccidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
RenderingAssistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
RequestingAssistance(Non-Distress) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
U .S .CoastGuardBoardingPolicy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
VESSELSAFETYCHECK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
2 3
SAFETYANDSURVIVALTIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
SafeBoatingEducation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Operator’sResponsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
CarbonMonoxideHazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Overloading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Anchoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
VesselsOperatingOffShore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
SmallBoats,Hunters,Anglers,andPaddlers . . . . . . . . . .62
StayingAfloat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
ColdWaterSurvival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Trailering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
FuelingPrecautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
PropellerBladeWarning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
FloatPlans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
BOATER’SPRE-DEPARTURECHECKLIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
SAMPLEFLOATPLANFORM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
EMERGENCYNOTIFICATION/COMMUNICATION . . . . . . . . .75
SatelliteEPIRBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
RadioRegulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
VHFMarineRadioChannels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
DigitalSelectiveCalling(DSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Rescue21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
SOS:ShipsinDistress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
OTHERRESPONSIBILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
RegulatedNavigationAreas/LimitedAccessAreas . . . . . .81
NavalVesselProtectionZones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
CommercialShippingSafetyZones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
BridgesandShippingChannels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
America’sWaterwayWatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
USCGINFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-III
RECREATIONALBOATINGSAFETYSPECIALISTS . . . . . C-III
BOATINGSAFETYPARTNERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-IV
WELCOME
Asaboatoperator,youareexpectedtomakesurethatyourvessel
carriestherequiredsafetyequipment(carriagerequirement)andisin
compliancewithfederal
andstateregulations
forsuchthingsasnum-
beringandoperation .
AQuickReference
Chartonpage42will
helpyoudeterminethe
minimumfederalsafety
equipmentrequire-
mentsforyourvessel .
Thispublicationcontainsinformationaboutfederallawsandequipment
carriagerequirementsforrecreationalvesselsoftheUnitedStates .It
isimportantthatyouunderstandthatfederalequipmentrequirements
areminimumrequirementsanddo not guaranteethesafetyofyour
vesseloritspassengers .Inthefollowingsections,wehavealsopro-
videdrecommendationsforadditionalsafetyequipmentyoumaywish
tohaveonboard .
Inadditiontotherequirementsstatedinthispamphlet,theowner/
operatormayberequiredtocomplywithadditionalregulationsand/or
lawsspecifictothestateinwhichthevesselisregisteredoroperated .
Toensurecompliancewithstateboatinglaws,youshouldcontactthe
appropriateboatingagencyinyourarea .Avesselincompliancewith
thelawsofthestateofregistrationmaynotmeettherequirementsof
anotherstatewherethevesselisbeingoperated .
4 5
Otherequipmentrecommendedforyoursafetyandthesafetyofyour
passengersisnotedinthesectiononVesselSafetyChecksonpage
52andintheBoater’sPre-DepartureChecklistonpage70 .
Remember,drowningistheNumberOnecauseofboatingfatalities
andthemostpreventable .TheU .S .CoastGuardrecommendsthat
youalwayswearalifejacketandrequireyourpassengerstodothe
same .
Conversion of Metric to U.S. Units
REGISTRATION (33 CFR 173) AND DOCUMENTATION (46 CFR 67)
TherearetwomethodsofregistrationforU .S .recreationalvessels .
• VesselRegistration:state-issuedCertificateofNumber .• VesselDocumentation:federallydocumentedwiththe
U .S .CoastGuard .
VesselRegistration:Allundocumentedvesselsequippedwithpropul-
sionmachinerymustberegisteredinthestateofprincipaluse .A
CertificateofNumberwillbeissueduponregistrationandthenumber
mustbedisplayedonyourvessel .Theowner/operatorofavesselmust
alsocarrythevalidCertificateofNumberwheneverthevesselisinuse .
Whenavesselismovedtoanewstateofprincipaluse,theCertificate
remainsvalidfor60days .Checkwithyourstateboatingauthorityfor
registrationrequirements .Somestatesrequireallvesselstoberegis-
tered,includingvesselsthataremanuallypropelledandthosethatare
CoastGuarddocumented .
Display of Numbers
Numbersmustbepaintedorpermanentlyattachedtoeachsideof
theforwardhalfofthevessel .Thenumbersmustbereadfromleftto
right,andofacolorthatiscontrastingwiththebackgroundcolor;for
example,blacknumbersonawhitehull .Thevalidationsticker(s)must
beaffixedwithinsixinchesoftheregistrationnumber .Nootherletters
ornumbersmaybedisplayednearby .
Letteringmustbeinplain,verticalblockcharactersofnotlessthan3
inchesinheight .Spacesorhyphensbetweenletterandnumbergroup-
ingsmustbeequaltothewidthofaletterotherthan“I”oranumber
otherthan“1” .
Metric Measure
50 .0m
20 .0m
12 .0m
10 .0m
8 .0m
7 .0m
6 .0m
5 .0m
4 .0m
2 .5m
1 .0m
Feet in Decimals
164 .0ft .
65 .6ft .
39 .4ft .
32 .8ft .
26 .3ft .
23 .0ft .
19 .7ft .
16 .4ft .
13 .1ft .
8 .2ft .
3 .3ft .
Feet and Inches
164'1/2"
65'71/2"
39'41/2"
32'93/4"
26'3”
22'111/2"
19'81/4"
16'43/4"
13'11/2"
8'21/2"
3'31/3"
FL 1234 AB 3" FL 1234 AB
FL 1234 AB FL 1234 AB
FL 1234 AB
State Validation Sticker
PlacebeforeORafterthenumbers,accordingtoyourstaterequirements .
6 7
Notification of Changes to a Numbered Vessel
TheownerofavesselmustnotifytheagencythatissuedtheCertificate
ofNumberwithin15daysif:
• Thevesselistransferred,destroyed,abandoned,lost,stolen,
orrecovered .
• TheCertificateofNumberislost,destroyed,ortheowner’s
addresschanges .
IftheCertificateofNumberbecomesinvalidforanyreason,itmustbe
surrenderedtotheissuingauthoritywithin15days .
Vessel Documentation
TheU .S .CoastGuardCertificateofDocumentationisanationalform
ofregistrationdatingbacktothe11thActoftheFirstCongress .It
servesasevidenceofavessel’snationalityforinternationalpurposes,
providesforunhinderedcommercebetweenthestates,andadmits
vesselstocertainrestrictedtrades,suchascoastwisetradeandthe
fisheries .Since1920,vesselfinancinghasbeenenhancedthroughthe
availabilityofpreferredmortgagesondocumentedvessels .
Recreationalvesselsareeligibletobedocumentediftheyarewholly
ownedbyacitizenorcitizensoftheUnitedStatesandmeasureatleast
fivenettons .Nettonnageisameasureofavessel’svolume .Most
vesselsmorethan25feetinlengthwillmeasurefivenettonsormore .
Adocumentedvesselisnotexemptfrom:
• Applicablestateorfederaltaxes .
• Compliancewithstateorfederalequipmentcarriage
requirements .
Adocumentedvesselmayalsoberequiredtopayaregistrationfee
anddisplayavalidationstickerfromthestateofprincipaluse .
Boatersshouldcheckwiththeirstateboatingagency .
Tobeincompliancewithfederaldocumentationrequirements,a
CertificateofDocumentationmustbe:
• Theoriginaldocument(photocopynotacceptable) .
• Onboardthevessel .
• Current(notexpired) .
• SignedbytheDirectoroftheNationalVesselDocumentation
Center .
Documented Vessel Marking Requirements
Hull DisplayAdocumentedrecreationalvesselhulldisplaymust:
• Havethenameandhailingportofthevesseltogetherinone
placeonthehull(usuallyonthestern) .
• Beinlettersnotlessthan4inchesinheight .
• Beclearlyreadable .
MISTER JOHN
MISTER JOHNFRANKLIN, TN
MISTER JOHNFRANKLIN, TN
4"
4"
Letters not less than 4 inches high
8 9
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
TheUnitedStatesCoastGuardsetsminimumstandardsfor
recreationalvesselsandassociatedsafetyequipment .Tomeetthese
standards,requiredequipmentmustbeU .S .CoastGuard“approved”
or“certified .”ThismeansthatitmeetsU .S .CoastGuardspecifications,
standards,andregulationsforperformance,construction,ormaterials .
Life Jackets (33 CFR 175)
You may have heard reference to Type I, II, III, IV, and V “Personal
Flotation Devices” (PFDs). The term PFD is used in a strictly regulatory
sense. For greater clarity, this publication will use the term “wearable
life jacket” and “throwable device.” Understand that Type and Number
refer to the same equipment, whether called a PFD or life jacket, and
that any PFD is approved for use anywhere.
Allrecreationalvesselsmustcarry
onewearablelifejacketforeach
persononboard .Anyboat16
feetandlonger(exceptcanoes
andkayaks)mustalsocarry
onethrowable(TypeIV)device .
Lifejacketsshouldbewornat
alltimeswhenthevesselisunder-
way .A life jacket can save your
life, but only if you wear it.
Alwayscheckandreadthemanufacturer’sinformationbookletand
labelprovidedwithalllifejackets .Theywillprovidevaluableinforma-
tion,includingsize,type,intendeduse,andCoastGuardapproval
information .
Lifejacketsmustbe:
• U .S .CoastGuard-approved(checkthelabel) .
• Ingoodandserviceablecondition .
• Appropriatesizeandtypefortheintendeduser .
• Properlystowed .
Someitemsthatarenotrequiredbutareagoodideatohavewithyour
lifejacketareawhistleandanemergencylight .
Themarkingrequirementsforadocumentedrecreationalvesselstate
“togetherinoneplaceonthehull .”Manyrecreationalvesselswillplace
thevesselnameandhailingportonthestern,andvesselnameonboth
sidesofthebow,whichisrequiredforacommercialvessel .Although
notrequiredforarecreationalvessel,thisisanacceptableoption .
Interior Display (Recreational and Commercial)
Inaddition,thevesselmusthavetheofficialnumberpermanently
affixedinblock-typeArabicnumeralsofnotlessthan3inchesin
height,precededbytheletters“NO .”onsomeclearlyvisibleinterior
integralstructuralpartofthevessel .
Arabic numerals are the most common symbolic representation of
numbers in the world. Permanently affixed means that the numbers
must be affixed to the vessel so that alteration, removal, or replacement
would be obvious. Numbers can be painted, carved, or welded.
For more information on documented vessels, contact the U.S. Coast
Guard National Vessel Documentation Center at (800) 799-8362 or
online at www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc.
NO.1234567 3"
Interior display (recreational and commercial). Numbers must be no less than 3 inches high.
10 11
Stowage
• Wearablelifejacketsmustbereadilyaccessible .
• Youshouldbeabletoputthemoninareasonableamountof
timeinanemergency(vesselsinking,onfire,etc .)
• Theyshouldnotbestowedinplasticbags,inlockedorclosed
compartments,orhaveothergearstowedontopofthem .
• Throwabledevicesmustbeimmediatelyavailableforuse .They
shouldbeonthemaindeckwithinarm’sreach,hangingona
lifeline,orothereasilyreachedlocation .
Inflatable Life Jackets
• U .S .CoastGuard-approvedinflatablelifejacketsareauthorized
forusebypersons16yearsofageandolder(checkthelabel) .
• Inflatablelifejacketsrequireregularmaintenanceandattentionto
theconditionoftheinflator .
• Theymusthaveafullcylinderandallstatusindicatorsonthe
inflatormustbegreenorthedeviceisnotserviceableanddoes
notsatisfythelegalrequirementforthewearablelifejacket
carriagerequirement .
• Inflatablelifejacketsaremorecomfortable,encouragingregular
use .Thebestlifejacketsareonestheuserwillwear .
Child Life Jacket Requirements
Onavesselthatisunderway,childrenunder13yearsofagemust
wearanappropriateU .S .CoastGuard-approvedlifejacketunlessthey
are1)belowdeck,or2)withinanenclosed
cabin .Ifastatehasestablishedachildlife
jacketwearrequirementthatdiffersfrom
theCoastGuardrequirement,thestate
requirementwillbeapplicableonwaters
subjecttothatstate’sjurisdiction .
Children’slifejacketsareapprovedfor
specificweightcategories .Checkthe“User
Weight”onthelabelandforanapproval
statementthatwillreadsomethinglike:
Approved for use on recreational boats and uninspected commercial
vessels not carrying passengers for hire by persons weighing “less
than 30, lbs.,” “30 to 50 lbs.,” “less than 50 lbs.,” or “50 to 90 lbs.”
Life Jacket Requirements for Specific Activities
TheU .S .CoastGuardrecommends–andmanystatesrequire–
wearinglifejacketswhenengagedinthefollowingactivities:
• Waterskiingandothertowedactivities(useatypedesignedfor
waterskiing .)
• OperatingaPersonalWatercraft,orPWC(useatypedesigned
forwaterskiingorPWCuse .)
• Whitewaterboatingactivities .
• Sailboarding .
Checkwithyourstateboatingagencyforthelawsthatapply .
Federallawdoesnotrequirelifejacketuseonracingshells,rowing
sculls,racingcanoes,andracingkayaks;statelawsvary,however .
Checkwithyourstateboatingagency .
NotethatifyouareboatinginanareaunderthejurisdictionoftheU .S .
ArmyCorpsofEngineers,orafederal,state,orlocalparkauthority,
otherrulesmayalsoapply .
The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that you always wear a life jacket
while underway on a boat and require passengers to do the same.
Life Jacket Flotation
Thefivetypesoflifejacketsarebasedonthreekindsofflotationand
canbecharacterizedasfollows:
Inherently Buoyant (Primarily Foam)• Themostreliable .
• ComeinAdult,Youth,Child,andInfantsizes .
• Designedforswimmersandnon-swimmers .
• Comeinwearableandthrowablestyles .
• Specialdesignsavailableforwatersports .
Inflatable • Themostcompact .
• Lightweightandcomfortable .
• Sizedonlyforadults .
• Onlyrecommendedforswimmers .
• Wearablestylesonly .
• Somehavethebestin-waterperformance .
12 13
Hybrid (Foam and Inflation)
• Reliable .
• ProvidesInherentandInflatableBuoyancy .
• Adult,Youth,andChildsizes .
• Forswimmersandnon-swimmers .
• Wearablestylesonly .
• Somedesignedforwatersports .
BUOyANCy RATING: HyBRID
Wearable Inherent Inflated Size Type Buoyancy Total Buoyancy
Adult II&III 10lbs . 22lbs . V 7 .5lbs . 22lbs .
Youth II&III 9lbs . 15lbs . V 7 .5lbs . 15lbs .
Child II 7lbs . 12lbs .
BUOyANCy RATING: INFLATABLE
Wearable Size Type Inflatable Buoyancy
Adult I&II 34lbs . III 22 .5lbs . V 22 .5to34lbs .
BUOyANCy RATING: FOAM
Wearable Size Type Inherent Buoyancy
Adult I 22lbs . II&III 15 .5lbs . V 15 .5to22lbs .
Youth II&III 11lbs . V 11to15 .5lbs .
ChildandInfant II 7lbs .
Throwable: Cushion IV 20lbs .RingBuoy 16 .58 .32lb .
Types of Life Jackets
A Type I, Off-Shore Life Jacket providesthemostbuoyancy .Itis
effectiveforallwaters,especiallyopen,rough,orremotewaters
whererescuemaybedelayed .Itisdesignedtoturnanunconscious
wearertoaface-uppositioninthewater .
A Type II, Near-Shore Buoyancy Vest isintendedforcalm,inland
watersorwherethereisagoodchanceofquickrescue .Inherently
buoyantlifejacketsofthistypewillturnsomeunconsciouswearersto
aface-uppositioninthewater,butthe
turningisnotaspronouncedaswitha
TypeI .Thistypeofinflatableturnsas
wellasaTypeIfoamjacket .
Uninflated
Inflated
14 15
A Type III, Flotation Aidisgoodforusersincalm,inlandwaters,or
anywherethereisagoodchanceofquickrescue .Thewearermay
havetotilttheirheadbacktoremaininaface-uppositioninthewater .
TheTypeIIIfoamvesthasthesameminimumbuoyancyasaTypeII .
Itcomesinmanystyles,colors,andsizesandisgenerallythemost
comfortabletypeforcontinuouswear .Floatcoats,fishingvests,and
vestsdesignedwithfeaturessuitableforvarioussportsactivitiesare
examplesofthistype .ThistypeofinflatableturnsaswellasaTypeII
foamvest .
A Type IV, Throwable Device isintendedforuseanywhere .Itisde-
signedtobethrowntoapersoninthewaterandgraspedandheldby
theuseruntilrescued .Itisnotdesignedorintendedtobeworn .Type
IVdevicesincludebuoyantcushions,ringbuoys,andhorseshoebuoys .
TherearenoCoastGuard-approvedinflatableTypeIVdevices .
A Type V, Special-Use Deviceisintended
forspecificactivitiesandmaybecarried
insteadofanotherlifejacketonlyifused
accordingtothecondition(s)forwhichitis
approved,asshownonitslabel .ATypeV
providestheperformanceofaTypeI,II,
orIII(asmarkedonitslabel) .Ifthelabel
saysthelifejacketis“approvedonlywhen
worn,”thelifejacketmustbeworn(except
bypersonsinenclosedspaces)andused
inaccordancewiththeapprovallabelto
meetcarriagerequirements .SomeType
Vdevicesprovidesignificanthypothermia
protection .Varietiesincludedecksuits,work
vests,sailboardingvests,andsailingvests
withasafetyharness .
An Inflatable with Safety Harness isapprovedonlyasaTypeV,
Special-UseDevicebecauseitsusetopreventfallsoverboardpresents
severalrisks .TheU .S .CoastGuardhasnotassesseditspotentialfor
injuryfromsuddenlystoppingafalland,incaseofcapsizingorsinking,
theboatmaytakethewearerdown,resultingindeath . Do not attach
theharnesstotheboatunlessitisbeingwornwithatetheroflessthan
6 .5feetinlengthwithquick-release-under-loadhardware .Read the
safety harness section of the owner’s manual for intended use. Under
no circumstances should the safety harness be used for any climbing
activity. U.S. Coast Guard approval does not apply to this harness used
under those circumstances.
Finding the Right Life Jacket for you
Lifejacketscomeinmanydesigns,colors,styles,andmaterials .Some
aremadetostanduptoruggedwatersports,otherstoprotectthe
wearerfromcold-watertemperatures .Besuretochooseonethatis
appropriateforyourbodysize,plannedactivities,andthewater
conditionsyouexpecttoencounter .
16 17
Test the Fit
StartwithalifejacketthatisU .S .CoastGuard-approved .Tryiton .
Itshouldfitcomfortablysnug .Thengiveitthistest:withallstraps,
zippers,andtiessecurelyfastened,raiseyourarmsoveryourhead .
Thejacketshouldstayinplaceandnotrideup .Next,havesomeone
liftyourlifejacketstraightupattheshoulders .Again,thejacketshould
stayinplace .Ifthezippertouchesyournoseorthejacketalmost
comesoff,itistooloose .
Test the Buoyancy of your Life Jacket
Inshallowwateroraswimmingpool,undersupervisionandwithall
straps,zippers,andtiesfastened,seehowthelifejacketfloatsyou .
Relaxyourbodyandletyourheadtiltback .Yourchinshouldremain
abovewatersothatyoucanbreatheeasily .Ifnot,youmayneeda
differentsizeormodel,onethatprovidesmorebuoyancy .
Choosing a Child’s Life Jacket
Besuretochooseachild’slifejacketthatisU .S .CoastGuard-
approved .Checktomakesureyourchild’sweightfallswithintherange
shownonthelabel .Whilesomechildreninthe30-50poundweight
rangewhocanswimmayaskfortheextrafreedomofmovement
thataTypeIIIprovides,notethatmostchildreninthisweightrange,
especiallythosewhocannotswim,shouldwearaTypeII .Tocheckfor
agoodfit,pickthechildupbytheshouldersofthelifejacket .Ifitfits
correctly,thechild’schinandearswillnotslipthrough .
Achild’slifejacketshouldbetestedinthewaterimmediatelyafter
purchase .Childrenmaypanicwhentheyfallintothewatersuddenly .
Floattestingnotonlychecksthefitandbuoyancybutalsoprovidesan
importantopportunitytoteachthemtorelaxinthewater .
Be Safe. Wear your Life Jacket.
Mostdeathsfromdrowningoccurnearshoreincalmweather,notout
atseaduringastorm;9outof10drowningfatalitiesoccurininland
waters,mostwithinafewfeetofsafety .Worsestill,manyofthese
victimsownedlifejacketsandmayhavesurvivedhadtheybeenworn .
Wear your life jacket. When you don’t, you’re risking your life.
Visual Distress Signals (33 CFR 175.101)
VesselsoperatingonU .S .coastalwaters,theGreatLakes,and
territorialseas,aswellasthosewatersconnecteddirectly,uptoa
pointwherethewaterwayislessthantwonauticalmileswide,must
beequippedwithU .S .CoastGuard-approvedvisualdistresssignals
(VDS) .VesselsownedintheUnitedStatesandoperatingonthehigh
seasmustalsobeequippedwithU .S .CoastGuard-approvedvisual
distresssignals .
Thefollowingvesselsarenotrequiredtocarrydaysignals,butmust
carrynightsignalswhenoperatingfromsunsettosunrise:
• Recreationalboatslessthan16feetinlength .
• Boatsparticipatinginorganizedevents,suchasraces,regattas,
ormarineparades .
• Opensailboatslessthan26feetinlengththatarenotequipped
withpropulsionmachinery .
• Manuallypropelledboats .
Remember: The carriage requirement is only applicable in areas
where VDS are required.
Pyrotechnic Devices
PyrotechnicvisualdistresssignalsmustbeU .S .Coast
Guard-approved,inserviceablecondition,andreadilyaccessible .
Checktheexpirationdate .Expiredsignalsmaybecarriedasextra
equipment,butcannotbecountedtowardmeetingthevisualdistress
signalrequirement .
Lessthan2miles
OpenWater
River
Bay
VDS REQUIRED
VDS NOT REQUIRED
18 19
LaunchersmanufacturedbeforeJanuary1,1981,andintendedfor
usewithapprovedsignals,arenotrequiredtobeU .S .CoastGuard-
approvedaslongastheyremaininserviceablecondition .
Ifpyrotechnicdevicesareselected,aminimumofthreesignalsare
requiredfordayuseandthreesignalsfornightuse .Somepyrotechnic
signalsmeetbothdayandnightuserequirements(combinationflares) .
Pyrotechnicdevicesshouldbestoredinacool,dryplace,ifpossible .
Awatertightcontainerpaintedredororangeandprominentlymarked
“DISTRESSSIGNALS”or“FLARES”isrecommended .
U .S .CoastGuard-approvedpyrotechnicvisualdistresssignalsand
associateddevicesinclude:
• Pyrotechnicredflares,hand-heldoraerial(day/nightuse .)
• Pyrotechnicorangesmoke,hand-heldorfloating(dayuse .)
• Launchersforaerialredmeteorsorparachuteflares .
Eachofthesedeviceshasadifferentoperating/burningtime .Checkthe
labeltoseehowlongeachpyrotechnicdevicewillremainilluminated .
Chooseadevicebestsuitedtotheconditionsintheareawhereyour
vesselistypicallyused .
Non-Pyrotechnic Devices
Non-pyrotechnicvisualdistresssignalsmustbeinserviceablecondi-
tion,readilyaccessible,andcertifiedbythemanufacturerascomplying
withU .S .CoastGuardrequirements .Thesesignalsinclude:
Orange Distress Flag
• Usedasadaysignalonly .
• Mustbeatleast3x3feetwith
ablacksquareandballonan
orangebackground .
• Mustbemarkedwithanindication
thatitmeetsU .S .CoastGuard
requirementsin46CFR160 .072 .
• Mostvisiblewhenattachedand
wavedonapaddleorboathook,orflownfromamast .
• Maybeincorporatedintodevicesdesignedtoattractattentionin
anemergency,suchasballoons,kites,orfloatingstreamer .
Electric Distress Light
• Acceptablefornightuseonly .
• Automaticallyflashesthe
internationalSOSdistresssignal
(•••–––•••) .
• Mustbemarkedwithanindica-
tionthatitmeetsU .S .CoastGuardrequirementsin
46CFR161 .013 .
UnderInlandNavigationRules,ahigh-intensitywhitelightflashingat
regularintervalsfrom50-70timesperminuteisconsideredadistress
signal .Suchdevices,however,do not meettheVisualDistressSignal
carriagerequirement .
Regulationsprohibitdisplayofvisualdistresssignalsonthewater
underanycircumstances,exceptwhereassistanceisneededbecause
ofimmediateorpotentialdangertopersonsonboardavessel .
Alldistresssignalshavedistinctadvantagesanddisadvantages .No
singledeviceisidealunderallconditionsorsuitableforallpurposes .
Pyrotechnicsareuniversallyrecognizedasexcellentdistresssignals,
butthereispotentialforinjuryandpropertydamageifnothandled
properly .Thesedevicesproduceaveryhotflamewiththepotentialto
causeburnsandigniteflammablematerials .
Pistol-launchedandhand-heldparachuteflaresandmeteorshavemany
characteristicsofafirearmandmustbehandledwithextremecaution .
InsomestatesandCanadatheymaybeconsideredafirearmand
prohibitedfromuse .Besuretocheckwithyourstateboatingagency .
photoOrange Flag (day only)
Electric Distress Signals (night only)
20 21
Thefollowingarejustafewofthemanycombinationsofdevicesthat
willmeettherequirements:
• 3hand-heldredflaresthatareapprovedforday/nightuse .
• 1hand-heldredflareand2parachuteflaresforday/nightuse .
• 1hand-heldorangesmokesignaland2floatingorangesmoke
signalsforday,and1electricdistresslightfornight .
Allboatersshouldbeabletosignalforhelp .Boatersmusthave
U .S .CoastGuard-approveddayandnightsignalsforvesselswhen
required .Signalingdevicesarerecommendedwhenoperatingonall
openbodiesofwater .
Fire Extinguishers (46 CFR 25)
U .S .CoastGuard-approved,marine-typefireextinguishersarerequired
onboatswhereafirehazardcouldbeexpectedfromtheenginesor
fuelsystem .Extinguishersareclassifiedbyaletterandnumbersymbol .
Theletterindicatesthetypeoffiretheunitisdesignedtoextinguish .
TypeB,forexample,isdesignedtoextinguishflamingliquids,suchas
gasoline,oil,andgrease .Thenumberindicatestheamountoftheex-
tinguishingagentcontainedintheextinguisher;thehigherthenumber,
thegreatertheamountofagentinthe
extinguisher .
U .S .CoastGuard-approvedex-
tinguishersrequiredforboatsare
hand-portable,haveeitherB-IorB-II
classification,andmustbeprovidedwith
amountingbracket .Whilenotrequired,
itisrecommendedthattheextinguish-
ersbemountedinareadilyaccessible
location .Considerlocationswherethe
extinguishercanbereachedeasily;forexample,atornearthesteering
stationorinthegalleyorengineroom,butawayfromlocationswherea
firemaylikelystart .
Extinguishermarkingscanbeconfusingbecauseoneextinguisher
canbeapprovedforseveraldifferenttypesoffires(A,B,orC) .For
example,anextinguishermarked“TypeA,SizeII;TypeB;C,SizeI”is
acceptableasaTypeB-Iextinguisher .
Lookforthesectionofthelabelthatstates“MarineTypeUSCG,Type
A,SizeII;TypeB;CSizeI .”(ItwillalsocontainaUSCGapproval
number .)MakesureTypeBisindicated .Hand-portableextinguishers
willbeeitheraSizeIorII .
SizeIIIandlargeraretoobigforuseonmostrecreationalboats .
Foam CO2 Dry Chemical Classes (gals) (lbs) (lbs)
B-I(TypeB,SizeI) 1 .75 4 2
B-II(TypeB,SizeII) 2 .5 15 10
Fire Extinguishers Parachute Flare (day and night)
Red Flare (hand-held
day and night)
Orange Smoke Signal (hand-held/day only)
Floating Orange Smoke Signal
(day only)
Red Meteor (day and night)
Pyrotechnic Devices:
Non-Pyrotechnic Devices:
Electric Distress Signals (night only)
Orange Flag (day only)
22 23
Fireextinguishersarerequiredonboatswhenanyofthefollowing
conditionsexist:
• Thereareclosedcompartmentsandcompartmentsunderseats
whereportablefueltanksmaybestored .
• Therearedoublebottomsnotsealedtothehullorthatarenot
completelyfilledwithflotationmaterials .
• Thereareclosedlivingspaces .
• Thereareclosedstowagecompartments,inwhichcombustibleor
flammablematerialsarestored .
• Therearepermanentlyinstalledfueltanks .(Fueltankssecured
sotheycannotbemovedincaseofafireorotheremergency
areconsideredpermanentlyinstalled .Also,iftheweightofafuel
tankissuchthatpersonsonboardcannotmoveit,theU .S .Coast
Guardmayconsideritpermanentlyinstalled .)
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
Inspectextinguishersmonthlytomakesurethat:
• Sealsandtamperindicatorsarenotbrokenormissing .
• Pressuregaugesorotherindicators,ifsoequipped,readin
theoperablerangeasdescribedontheextinguisher .
• Thereisnoobviousphysicaldamage,rust,corrosion,
leakage,orcloggednozzles .
Iftheminimumweightisstatedontheextinguisherlabel,weighextin-
guishersannuallytocheck .
Fireextinguishersthatdonotsatisfytheaboverequirementsorthat
havebeenpartiallyemptiedmustbereplacedortakentoaqualifiedfire
extinguisherservicingcompanyforrecharge .
Required Number of Fire Extinguishers
Thefollowingchartliststhenumberoffireextinguishersthatare
requiredonrecreationalvessels .IfaU .S .CoastGuard-approvedfixed
fireextinguishingsystemisinstalledfortheprotectionoftheengine
compartment,therequirednumberofextinguishersmaybereducedin
accordancewiththechart .
Itisrecommendedthathandportableextinguishersbemountedina
readilyaccessiblelocation .
Minimum Number of Hand-Portable Fire Extinguishers Required
No With approved Vessel length Fixed System Fixed Systems
Lessthan26’ 1B-I 0
26’tolessthan40’ 2B-lor1B-II 1B-I
40’to65’ 3B-Ior1B-IIand1B-I 2B-lor1B-II
Ventilation (33 CFR 175/183, 46 CFR 25)
Boatsthatusegasolineforelectricalgeneration,mechanicalpower,or
propulsionarerequiredtobeequippedwithaventilationsystem .
Anaturalventilationsystemisrequiredforeachcompartmentinaboatthat:
• Containsapermanentlyinstalledgasolineengine .
• Hasopeningsbetweenitandacompartmentthatrequires
ventilation .
• Containsapermanentlyinstalledfueltankandanelectrical
componentthatisnotignition-protected .
• Containsafueltankthatventsintothatcompartment
(includingaportabletank .)
• Containsanon-metallicfueltank .
Anaturalventilationsystemconsistsof:
• Asupplyopening(duct/cowl)fromtheoutsideair(locatedonthe
exteriorsurfaceoftheboat),orfromaventilatedcompartment,or
fromacompartmentthatisopentotheoutsideair .
• Anexhaustopeningintoanotherventilatedcompartmentoran
exhaustducttotheatmosphere .
BILGE AREA
AIR FLOW
INTAKE COWL
COLLECTOR BOX BOAT
UNDER POWER
DUCT ENGINECOLLECTOR
BOX
EXHAUST COWL
All blower motors installed in exhaust ducts must be in working condition regardless of date of manufacture.
24 25
Eachexhaustopeningorexhaustductmustoriginateinthelowerone-
thirdofthecompartment .Eachsupplyopeningorsupplyductandeach
exhaustopeningorductinacompartmentmustbeabovethenormal
accumulationofbilgewater .
Apoweredventilationsystemisrequiredforeachcompartmentina
boatthathasapermanentlyinstalledgasolineenginewithacranking
motorforremotestarting .
Apoweredventilationsystemconsistsofoneormoreexhaustblowers .
Eachintakeductforanexhaustblowermustbeinthelowerone-third
ofthecompartmentandabovethenormalaccumulationofbilgewater .
Forboatsbuiltpriorto1980,therewasnorequirementforapowered
ventilationsystem;however,someboatswereequippedwithablower .
TheU .S .CoastGuardVentilationStandard,amanufacturerrequire-
ment,appliestoallboatsbuiltonorafterAugust1,1980 .Some
buildersbeganmanufacturingboatsincompliancewiththeVentilation
StandardasearlyasAugust1978 .Ifyourboatwasbuiltonorafter
August1,1978itmighthavebeenequippedwitheither(1)anatural
ventilationsystem,or(2)bothanaturalventilationsystemanda
poweredventilationsystem .Ifyourboatbearsalabelcontainingthe
words“ThisboatcomplieswithU .S .CoastGuardsafetystandards,”
youcanassumethatthedesignofyourboat’sventilationsystemmeets
applicableregulations .
Boatsbuiltafter1980withremotestartersarerequiredtodisplaya
labelthatcontainsatleastthefollowinginformation:
Allboatownersareresponsibleforkeepingtheirvessel’sventilation
systemsinoperatingcondition .Thismeansmakingsureopeningsare
freeofobstructions,ductsandductingarenotblockedortorn,blowers
operateproperly,andworncomponentsarereplacedwithequivalent
marine-typeequipment .
Backfire Flame Control (46 CFR 25/58)
Gasolineenginesinstalledinamotorboatormotorvesselafter
April25,1940,exceptoutboardmotors,mustbeequippedwithan
acceptablemeansofbackfireflamecontrol .Thebackfireflamearres-
tor(BFA)mustbesuitablysecuredtotheairintakewithaflame-tight
connection,andisrequiredtobeeitherU .S .CoastGuard-approvedor
complywithSAEJ-1928orUL1111standardsandmarkedaccordingly .
Otheracceptablemeansofbackfireflamecontrolinclude:airandfuel
inductionsystemsusuallyfoundonpersonalwatercraft,velocitystacks
(attachmentstocarburetors),andreed-type(foundinoutboards .)
Sound Producing Devices (33 CFR 83)
NavigationRulesrequiresoundsignalstobemadeundercertain
circumstances .Meeting,crossing,andovertakingsituations,described
intheNavigationRulesbeginningwithRule32,areexamplesof
circumstancesinwhichsoundsignalsarerequired .Recreational
vesselsarealsorequiredtousesoundsignalsduringperiodsof
reducedvisibilityandwhileatanchor .
Mesh BFA
Carburetor
Intake Valve (Open)
Intake Manifold
Not Equipped with BFA Equipped with BFA
WarningGasoline vapors can explode. Before starting engine,
operate blower at least four minutes and check the engine compartment bilge for gasoline vapors.
26 27
Thefollowingmatrixprovidesthesoundproducingdevicesrequiredfor
vessels:
International Waters
VesselLength Whistle Bell Gong
12metersormore (39 .4ft .) X
20metersormore (65 .6ft .) X X
100metersormore (328 .1ft .) X X X
Inland Waters*
VesselLength Whistle Bell Gong
12metersormore (39 .4ft) X
20metersormore (65 .6ft .) X X
100metersormore (328 .1ft .) X X X
*There have been changes to the Collision Regulations (COLREGS) and a regulatory change is forthcoming that will align the Inland Navigation Rules with the COLREGS. The Coast Guard is exercising its discretion not to enforce the provisions of the inland rules until the regulatory change is enacted.
Navigation Lights (33 CFR 83)
Recreationalvesselsarerequiredtodisplaynavigationlightsbetween
sunsetandsunriseandduringperiodsofrestrictedvisibility(fog,rain,
haze,etc .)TheU .S .CoastGuardNavigationRules,International-In-
land,specifieslightingrequirementsforeverydescriptionofwatercraft .
Theinformationprovidedbelowisforpower-drivenandsailingvessels
lessthan65 .5feet(20meters)inlength .
Power-Driven Vessels
Note that a sail vessel under machine propulsion is considered a power-driven vessel.
Ifyourpower-drivenvesselislessthan164feet(50meters)inlength,
itmustdisplaynavigationlightsasshowninFigure1 .
Ifyourpower-drivenvesselislessthan39 .4feet(12meters)inlength,
thenitmaydisplaynavigationlightsasshowninFigure2 .
Signaling Devices
Figure 1
Figure 2
28 29
Ifyourpower-drivenvesselislessthan23feet(7meters)inlength
anditsmaximumspeeddoesnotexceed7knots,thenitmaydisplay
anall-roundwhitelightand,ifpossible,sidelights,insteadofthelights
prescribedpreviously .(InternationalRulesonly .)
Forpower-drivenvesselslessthan39 .4feet(12meters)inlength,the
mastheadorall-roundwhitelightmustbeatleast3 .3feet(1meter)
abovethesidelights .
Inavesseloflessthan65 .6feet(20meters)inlength,sidelightsmay
bedisplayedinacombinationlightasshowninFigure2 .
Sailing Vessels
Ifyoursailingvesselislessthan65 .6feet(20meters)inlength,thenit
mustdisplaynavigationlightsasshowninFigures3,4,or5 .
Asailingvesseloflessthan23feet
(7meters)inlengthshall,ifpracticable,
exhibitlightsasshown .(Figures3or
4 .)Ifitdoesnot,itshallhavereadyat
handanelectrictorchorlightedlantern
(flashlight)showingwhitelightthatshall
beexhibitedinsufficienttimetoprevent
collision .(SeeFigure6 .)
Vessel Under Oars
Avesselunderoarsmayexhibitthe
lightsforasailboat .Ifitdoesnot,itshall
havereadyathandanelectrictorch
(flashlight)orlightedlanternshowing
awhitelightthatshallbeexhibitedin
sufficienttimetopreventcollision .(See
Figure7 .)
Lights and Shapes
Toalertothervesselsofconditionsthatmaybehazardous,thereare
requirementstodisplaylightsatnightandshapesduringtheday .
Anchored Vessels
At night:Allvesselsatanchormustdisplayanchorlights .Ifyour
vesselislessthan164feet(50meters)inlength,thenitsanchorlight
isanall-roundwhitelightvisiblewhereitcanbestbeseenfromall
directions .(SeeFigure8 .)
Figure 3
Figure 8
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
30 31
During the day: Allvesselsatanchormustdisplayforward,whereit
canbebestseen,ablackballshape .(SeeFigure9 .)
ExcEPTIONS: Ifyourvesselislessthan23feet(7meters)inlength,it
isnotrequiredtodisplayananchorlightorshapeunlessitisanchored
inornearanarrowchannel,fairway,oranchorage,orwhereother
vesselsnormallynavigate .
Ifyourvesselislessthan65 .6feet(20meters)inlength,itisnot
requiredtodisplayananchorlightifitisanchoredininlandwatersina
specialanchoragedesignatedbytheSecretaryunderwhichtheCoast
Guardisoperating .
Sailing Vessels Under Power
Duringtheday,vesselsundersailthat
arealsobeingpropelledbymachinery,
mustexhibitforward,whereitcanbest
beseen,ablackconicalshapewiththe
apexpointingdown .(SeeFigure10 .)
ExcEPTION:Ifyourvesselisless
than39 .4feet(12meters)inlength,
thenitisnotrequiredtodisplaythe
shapeininlandwaters .
Reminder: If you are operating your sailing vessel at night using ma-
chinery, or sail and machinery, then your vessel must display the lights
required for a power-driven vessel. (See Figures 3, 4, and 5.)
Vessels Restricted in their Ability to Maneuver
NavigationRulesrequirevesselsrestrictedintheirabilitytomaneuver
todisplayappropriatedayshapes(ball/diamond/ball)orlights .Ifthe
sizeofthevesselengagedindivingactivitiesduringthedaymakeit
impracticaltodisplaythedayshapes,thenitmustexhibitarigidreplica
oftheinternationalcodeflag“Alpha”notlessthan3 .3feet(1meter)in
heighttomeetthisrequirement .Ifthedivingactivitiesareatnight,then
yourvesselmustdisplaythenavigationlightsshowninFigure11 .This
requirementdoesnotaffecttheuseofaredandwhiteDiversFlag,
whichmayberequiredbystateorlocallawtomarkadiver’slocation .
The“A”flagisanavigationsignalindicatingyourvessel’srestricted
maneuverabilityanddoesnotpertaintothelocationofthediver .
Figure 9
Figure 11
Figure 10
32 33
Reportthefollowinginformation:
• Locationoftheincident .
• Size/quantity(estimatedamountofmaterialreleased) .
• Description,color,consistency,odor .
• Dateandtimeobserved .
• Sourceandcauseoftherelease,ifknown .
• Substance,ifknown .
• Weatherandanyotherinformationthatmayhelpemergency
personnelrespondtotheincident .
Discharge of Garbage
TheActtoPreventPollutionfromShips(MARPOLANNEXV)places
limitationsonthedischargeofgarbagefromvessels .Itisillegalto
dumpplastictrashanywhereintheoceanornavigablewatersofthe
UnitedStates .Itisalsoillegaltodischargegarbageinthenavigable
watersoftheUnitedStates,includingtheinlandwatersandanywhere
intheGreatLakes .Thedischargeofothertypesofgarbageispermit-
tedoutsideofspecificdistancesoffshoreasdeterminedbythenature
ofthatgarbage .(Seechartnextpage .)
Pollution Regulations (33 CFR 151/155)
AnnexVofMARPOL73/78prohibitsthrowing,discharging,ordeposit-
inganyrefusematterofanykind(includingtrash,garbage,oil,and
otherliquidpollutants)intothewatersoftheUnitedStates .
TheFederalWaterPollutionControlActprohibitsthedischargeofoilor
hazardoussubstancesthatmaybeharmfulintoU .S .navigablewaters .
Vessels26feetandgreaterinlength,withmachineryspaces,must
displayaplacardatleast5by8inches,madeofdurablematerial,fixed
inaconspicuousplaceinthemachineryspaces,oratthebilgepump
controlstation,statingthefollowing:
RegulationsissuedundertheFederalWaterPollutionControlActre-
quireallvesselswithpropulsionmachinerytohaveacapacitytoretain
oilymixturesonboardandbeequippedwithafixedorportablemeans
todischargetheseoilymixturestoareceptionfacility .Onrecreational
vessels,abucket,oilabsorbentpads,andheavy-dutyplasticbag,
bailer,orportablepumparesomeofthesuitablemeansthatmeetthe
requirementforretentiononboarduntiltransferringtheoilymixtureto
areceptionfacility .Nopersonmayintentionallydrainoiloroilywaste
fromanysourceintothebilgeofanyvessel .Youmustimmediately
notifytheU .S .CoastGuardifyourvesseldischargesoilorhazardous
substancesinthewater .CalltheCoastGuardNationalResponse
Centertoll-free(800)424-8802,or(202)267-2675 .
Discharge of Oil Prohibited TheFederalWaterPollutionControlActprohibitsthedischarge
ofoiloroilywasteuponorintoanynavigablewatersofthe
UnitedStates .Thisprohibitionincludesanydischargethat
causesafilmordiscolorationofthesurfaceofthewater,or
causesasludgeoremulsionbeneaththesurfaceofthewater .
Violatorsaresubjecttosubstantialciviland/orcriminalsanc-
tions,includingfinesandimprisonment .
.
34 35
Note:stateandlocallawsmayplacefurtherrestrictionsonthedisposal
ofgarbage .
UnitedStatesvesselsof26feetorlongermustdisplayinaprominent
location,adurableplacardatleast4by9inchesnotifyingthecrewand
passengersofthedischargerestrictions .
UnitedStatesocean-goingvesselsof40feetorlongerthatareen-
gagedincommerceorequippedwithagalleyandberthingmusthave
awrittenwastemanagementplandescribingtheproceduresforcollect-
ing,processing,storing,anddischarginggarbage,andmustdesignate
thepersoninchargeofcarryingouttheplan .
Marine Sanitation Devices (33 CFR 159)
Allrecreationalboatswithinstalledtoiletfacilitiesmusthaveanoper-
ablemarinesanitationdevice(MSD)onboard .Vessels65feetand
undermayuseaTypeI,II,orIIIMSD .TypeIandTypeIIare“flow-
through”devices,whileaholdingtankisaTypeIIIdevice .Vesselsover
65feetmustinstallaTypeIIorIIIMSD .AllinstalledMSDsmustbe
U .S .CoastGuard-certified .U .S .CoastGuard-certifieddevicesareso
labeled,exceptforsomeholdingtanks,whicharecertifiedbydefinition
undertheregulations .
Thedischargeoftreatedsewageisallowedwithin3nauticalmilesof
shoreexceptindesignated“NoDischargeZone”areas .(Untreated
sewagemaybedischargedbeyond3nauticalmiles .)
A “No Discharge Zone” is a body of water where the discharge of
treated or untreated sewage is prohibited. When operating a vessel
in a No Discharge Zone, the operator must secure the device in a
manner that prevents any discharge. Some acceptable methods are:
padlocking overboard discharge valves in the closed position, using
a non-releasable wire tie to hold overboard discharge valves in the
closed position, closing overboard discharge valves and removing
the handle, and locking the door to the space enclosing the toilets.
Note: these methods for preventing the overboard discharge are only
required when operating in a No Discharge Zone. State and local laws
may place further restrictions on overboard discharges.
Garbage Type
Plastics–includessyntheticropes,fishingnets,andplasticbags
Comminutedorgroundfoodwaste,paper,rags,glass,etc .
Foodwaste,paper,rags,glass,metal,bottles,crockery,andsimilarrefuse
Floatingdunnage,lining,andpackingmaterials
Discharge
Prohibitedinallareas
Prohibitedlessthan3milesfromnearestland
Prohibitedlessthan12milesfromnearestland
Prohibitedlessthan25milesfromnearestland
36 37
OPERATING PROCEDURES
Navigation Rules
Boaterscallnavigationrules–thebasiclawsgoverningthesteering
orsailingofaboat–“TheRulesoftheRoad .”TheseRulesdefinethe
rolesandresponsibilitiesofvesseloperators .Ifalloperatorsfollowed
theserules,mostaccidentscouldbeavoided .
TheRulesaredividedintotwoparts,InlandandInternational .Inland
Rulesapplytovesselsoperatinginsidethelineofdemarcation,while
InternationalRulesapplyoutsidethatline .Demarcationlinesare
printedonmostnavigationalchartsandarelistedintheNavigation
Rules .
PrintcopiesoftherulescanbeobtainedfromtheSuperintendentof
Documents,U .S .GovernmentPrintingOffice,P .O .Box979050,St .
Louis,MO63197-9000 .Tel .(202)512-1800,oryoucandownloada
copyfromtheU .S .CoastGuard,BoatingSafetyDivisionwebsiteat
www .uscgboating .org .
Theoperatorofavessel39 .4feet(12meters)orgreaterisresponsible
forhavingandmaintainingacopyoftheNavigationRulesonboard
whileoperatingonU .S .inlandwaters .
TheRulesvaryslightlydependingonwhetheryouareboatingon
inlandoroninternationalwaters .Asanexample,whenoperatingon
inlandwaters,soundsignalsaresignalsofintent;whenoperatingon
internationalwaters,theyaresignalsofaction .
Post a lookout.Designatesomeonetowatchfordangersthatmay
comefromanydirection .
Maintain a safe speed.Exceptwherespeedisrestrictedbyregulation,
orthewaterwayismarkedasa“NoWake”or“SlowSpeed”area,you
mustjudgesafespeedforyourself,takingintoaccountvisibility,vessel
traffic,yourboat’sabilitytomaneuver,andtheweatherconditions .
Avoid a collision. TheRulesoftheRoadincludetheactionstotake
whenencounteringanothervesselonthewater .Someofthemost
commonsituationsyoumayencounterare:overtaking,meeting
head-on,andcrossingthebowofanothervessel .Ineachcase,the
boatdesignatedasthe“give-way”vesselisrequiredtoyieldtothe
otherboat,whiletheboatdesignatedasthe“stand-on”vesselshould
maintainitscourseandspeed .
Thefollowingdiagramsdescribethewhistlesignalsandactionstobe
takenbyvesselsinacrossing,meeting,orovertakingsituationwhile
operatingininlandwaters .Thesearebasicexamples;foradditional
information,consulttheNavigationRules .
Crossing Situations
Overtaking Situation
Give-Way Vesselshouldaltercoursetopass
astern(behind)1shortblast(1sec .)
Stand-On Vesselshouldmaintainitscourse
andspeed1shortblast(1sec .)
2shortblasts(1sec .each)
2shortblasts(1sec .each)
1shortblast(1sec .)
1shortblast(1sec .)
Stand-On VesselOvertaken
Give-Way VesselOvertaking(keepclear)
38 39
Meeting Head-On Aids to Navigation
Navigationbuoysandbeaconsareplacedalongcoastalandnavigable
watersasguidestomarksafewaterandhiddendangers,aswellas
toassistboatoperatorsindeterminingtheirpositioninrelationtoland .
Eachaidtonavigationprovidesspecificinformation .
SeveralAidsareusuallyusedtogethertoformalocalsystemthathelps
theboatoperatorfollownaturalandimprovedchannels .SuchAidsalso
provideacontinuoussystemofchartedmarkersforcoastalpiloting .
IndividualAidsareusedtomarklandfallfromseaward,andtomark
isolateddangers .
Lateralmarkersarebuoysorbeaconsthatindicatetheportand
starboardsidesofaroutetobefollowed .VirtuallyallU .S .lateralmarks
followthetraditional3-Rprincipleof“Red,Right,Returning .”This
meansthatwhenreturningfromseaward,keeptheredmarkersonthe
right-hand(starboard)sideofthevessel .
Boatoperatorsshould not relyonAidstoNavigationalonefordeter-
miningtheirposition .Stormsandwaveactioncanmovebuoysoutof
place .
1shortblast(1sec .) 1shortblast(1sec .)
Port-to-PortPassing(preferred)
2shortblasts(1sec .each) 2shortblasts(1sec .each)
Starboard-to-StarboardPassing
40 41
Lateral Aids
Lateralaidsmarkingthesidesofchannels,asseenwhenenteringfrom
seaward .
Do nottieupyourboattoAidstoNavigation;itisdangerousand
illegal .
Information and Regulatory Markers
Theseorange-and-whiteAidsareusedtoalertvesseloperators
tovariouswarningsandregulations .
.
Information
Markswithasquareprovidehelpfulinformationsuchasdirections,distances,andlocations
Restricted Operations
Markswithacircleindicateareaswithregulatedoperations
Danger
Adiamondshapealertsboaterstohazards
Exclusion
Adiamondshapewithacrossmeansboatsareprohibitedfromthearea
Symbol
DANGER
GASDOCK
NO WAKE
IDLE SPEED
BOATS KEEP OUT
BOATRAMP
SWIM AREA
ROCK
mph5
Meaning Examples
characteristics•Whitewithanorangehorizontalbandatbothtopandbottom .• Blacktextwithinoraroundanorangesquare,circle,ordiamond;orblacktextoutsideadiamondwithanorangecross .
• Maybebuoysorbeacons .• Iflit,thelightwillbewhiteandmayhaveanylightrhythmexceptquickflashing,flashing(2),orMorsecode“A .”
• Thechartsymbolforthistypeofbuoyis:WOr
42 43
Ve
ssel
Len
gth
(in fe
et)
<16
16
<26
26<4
0 40
<65
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 5 5 6 9 17 21 23 25 25 27 32 34 35 36
Equi
pmen
t
Cer
tific
ate
of N
umbe
r (S
tate
Reg
istr
atio
n)
Stat
e N
umbe
ring
Cer
tific
ate
of
Doc
umen
tatio
n
Life
Jac
kets
Visu
al D
istr
ess
Sign
als
(VD
S)
Fire
Ext
ingu
ishe
rs
Vent
ilatio
n
Soun
d Pr
oduc
ing
Dev
ices
Bac
kfire
Fla
me
Arr
esto
r
Nav
igat
iona
l Lig
hts
Oil
Pollu
tion
Plac
ard
Gar
bage
Pla
card
Mar
ine
Sani
tatio
n De
vice
s
Nav
igat
ion
Rul
es
(Inla
nd O
nly)
QU
ICK
REF
EREN
CE
CH
AR
TR
equi
rem
ent
Allundocum
entedvesselsequippedwithpropulsionmachinerymustbestateregistered .C
ertificateof
Num
berm
ustbeonboardwhenthevesselisinuse .N
otethatsom
estatesrequireallvesselstobe
registered .
(a)Plainblockletters/num
bers,notlessthan3inchesinheight,mustbeaffixedoneachsideoftheforwardhalf
ofthevessel,inacontrastingcolortothebackground,andreadfrom
lefttoright .
(b)Statevalidationsticker(s)m
ustbeaffixedwithin6inchesoftheregistrationnumber .Note:checkwithyour
localboatingagencyforspecificstaterequirements .
Appliesonlyto“D
ocum
ented”vessels:
(a)Originalandcurrentcertificatemustbeonboard .
(b)Ve
sselnam
e/hailin
gportmustbemarkedonexteriorpartofhullinlettersnotlessthan4inchesinheight .
(c)OfficialNum
berm
ustbepermanentlyaffixedoninteriorstructureinnum
bersnotlessthan3inchesinheight .
(a)OneTypeI,II,III,orVwearablelifejacketforeachpersononboard .M
ustbeU .S .C
oastGuard-approved .
(b)Inaddition,m
ustcarryoneTypeIVthrowabledevice .
(a)Oneelectricdistresslight,orthreecombinationday/nightredflares .Note:onlyrequiredtobecarriedon
boardwhenthevesselisoperatingbetweensunsetandsunrise .
(b)Threecombinationday/nightredflares–hand-held,m
eteor,orparachute-type,oroneorangedistressflag,or
oneelectricdistresslight,orthreehand-heldorfloatingorangesmokesignalsandoneelectricdistresslight .
(a)OneB-I(whenenclosedcom
partm
ent) .
(b)OneB-IIortwoB-I .Note:fixedsystem
equalsoneB-I .
(c)OneB-IIandoneB-I,orthreeB-I .N
ote:fixedsystem
equalsoneB-I .
(a)AllvesselsbuiltafterA
pril25,1940thataregasoline-fueledwithenclosedengineand/orfueltank
compartm
entsmusthavenaturalventilation(atleasttw
oductsfittedwithcow
ls) .
(b)Inaddition,avesselbuiltafterJuly31,1980musthavearatedpowerexhaustblower .
(a)Avesseloflessthan39 .4feet(12meters)must,ataminimum
,havesomemeansofm
akinganefficient
soundsignal–i .e .,handheldairhorn,athleticwhistle .Ahumanvoice/soundisnotacceptable .
(b)Avessel39 .4feet(12meters)orgreater,m
usthaveasound-signalingappliancecapableofproducing
anefficientsoundsignal,audiblefor1/2mile,w
itha4-to6-secondduration .
RequiredongasolineenginesinstalledafterA
pril25,1940,exceptoutboardmotors .
Requiredtobedisplayedfromsunsettosunriseandinareasofrestrictedvisibility .
(a)Placardmustbeatleast5by8inchesandmadeofdurablematerial .
(b)Placardmustbepostedineachmachineryspaceoratthebilgecontrolstation .
(a)Placardmustbeatleast4by9inchesandmadeofdurablematerial .
(b)Displayedinaconspicuousplacenotifyingallonboardofthedischargerestrictions .
Ifthereisaninstalledtoilet,thevesselmusthaveanoperableMSD
TypeI,II,orIII .
Theoperatorofavessel39 .4feet(12meters)orgreaterwhileoperatingonU .S .inlandwatersmusthave
onboardacopyoftheserules .
44 45
Safe Water Markers
TheseAidsareusedtomarkfairways,mid-channels,andoffshore
approachpoints .Theyhaveunobstructedwateronallsides .Abuoy,
lightedorunlighted,mayshowaredtopmark .Anappropriatenautical
chartmustbeconsultedtodetermineexactposition
Nautical Charts
Oneofthemostimportanttoolsforsafelynavigatingwaterwaysisa
NauticalChart .Today,manyrecreationalboatersuseGPSreceivers
andperformelectronicwaypointnavigation .AlthoughaGPScantellyou
whereyouareintermsoflatitudeandlongitude,itcannotshowwhatis
aroundorbeneaththeboat,orwhatobstaclesmaybeintheway .
Nauticalchartsshowthenatureandshapeofthecoast,includingwater
depths,marinehazards,generalconfigurationandcharacterofthe
bottom,andAidstoNavigation,aswellasprominentlandmarks,port
facilities,andotherrelevantinformation .Changesbroughtaboutby
peopleandnaturerequirethatnauticalchartsbeconstantlymaintained
andupdatedtoaidsafenavigation .
Tomeettheneedsoftheboatingpublic,theNationalOceanicand
AtmosphericAdministration’sNationalOceanService(NOS)producesa
varietyofnauticalchartsandrelatedproducts .Nauticalchartscanvaryin
scaleandformat .Chartscalereferstoameasurementofanarea,notthe
distance .Achartcoveringarelativelylargeareaiscalleda“smallscale”
chart;a“largescale”chartwillcoverarelativelysmallareaandshow
muchgreaterdetail .Havingthemostcurrentchartisimportant .Thatis
whythepublicationdateiscritical .Stormsandwaveactioncanalterthe
coastline,soonlyup-to-datechartsshouldbeusedfornavigation .For
allnavigation,boatoperatorsshouldalsousethechartthatprovidesthe
levelofdetailneeded .
NOSnauticalchartsmaybepurchaseddirectlybymailfromtheNOS
DistributionBranchorthroughanauthorizedagent .Therearemore
than1,700nauticalchartagentsthatsellNOScharts .Usetheaddress
andcontactnumbersbelowtoobtainalistofagentsnearyouorto
requestafreecatalog:
FAA, National Aeronautical Charting Office DistributionDivision,AJW-3550 10201GoodLuckRoad Glendale,MD20769-9700 Tel:(301)436-8301or(800)638-8972 Fax:(301)436-6829 E-mail:9-AMC-chartsales@faa .gov Website:www .naco .faa .gov/ecomp
Updatedchartinformationcanbeobtainedfrom“LocalNoticetoMariners,”updatedweeklybytheU .S .CoastGuardandavailableonlineatwww .navcen .uscg .gov/lnm/default .htm .
N
GA
NN
RW“N”
Unlightedwithorw/osound
N
GA
NN
MR
RW“A”N
GA
NN
Spherical
SP“G”N
GA
NN
Can
RW“N”
N
GA
NN
RW“N”Mo(A)
Lightedwithorw/osound
Characteristics•Whiteandredverticalstripes .• Avarietyofshapes .• Maybelettered .• Buoymayhaveredtopmark .• Iflit:
(MorseCode“A”)
46 47
Dams and Navigation LocksLow-head Dams
Thoseboatingonriversneed
tobeawareoftheirlocationin
regardtodamsintheirboating
area .Low-head,or“fixedcrest,”
damscanbedifficulttoseefrom
smallvesselsmovingdown-
river .Theycanbeextremely
dangeroustosmallboatsandswimmers;somuchsotheyhavebeen
nicknamed“drowningmachines .”Beawarethatbuoysarenotinthe
riveryearroundandevenwhentheyaretheycanbemovedoffstation
bythecurrent .Keepalookoutfor“DangerDam”signs .Itisstrongly
recommendedthatboatersuse navigation charts,whichprovidevalu-
ableinformationonthelocationofdamsandotherhazardsintheriver .
Navigation Locks
Alockisanengineeredstructurethatenablesvesselstomove
betweenwaterwaysofdifferingheights .Therearespecificprocedures
inplacefornavigatingthroughlocks .Specificsmayvaryincertain
regions,butingeneral:
• Staybetweentheredandgreenbuoysthatmarktheriver’snavi-
gablechannel .
• Requestanopeningusingyourmarineradio,cellphone,orwith
asoundsignalconsistingofoneprolongedblast(4-6seconds)
andoneshortblast(1second)withinonemileofthelock .Sound
signalscanbemadebyusingthelock’spull-cordoryourwhistle,
horn,megaphone,orhailer .
• Waitforthelockoperatortosignalyouwithhornblasts;additional
signalsmayincludetrafficlightsorflashinglights .
• Enterthelockatreducedspeed .
• Makesureallpassengersremainseatedandweartheirlifejackets .
• Tieyourcrafttothemooringdevicesafterentering;aminimumof
50feetoflineisrecommended .
• Usefenderstoavoiddamagetoyourvesselandthelockwalls .
• Whenthrough,waitforthelockoperator’ssignal(hornand/or
lights),thenleavethelockatidlespeed .
Thereisaspecificorderoflockagepriorityamongvessels .Military
andmostcommercialvesselshavepriorityoverrecreationalvessels .
LAW ENFORCEMENT
AvesselunderwaywhenhailedbyaCoastGuardvesselisrequired
toheavetoormaneuverasdirectedsoastopermitaboardingteam
tocomeaboard .(See“U .S .CoastGuardBoardingPolicy:Whatto
Expect”page50 .)
Otherfederal,state,andlocalmaritimelawenforcementofficialsmay
alsoboardandexamineyourvessel,whetheritisnumbered,unnum-
bered,ordocumented .U .S .CoastGuardlawenforcementpersonnel
workwithandmayalsobefoundaboardotheragencies’enforcement
vessels .
TheU .S .CoastGuardmayimposeacivilpenaltyforfailureto:
• Complywithequipmentrequirements .
• Reportaboatingaccident .
• Complywithotherfederalregulations .
• ComplywithNavigationRules .
Negligent Operation (46 USC 2302 (a) (b))
Federallawprohibitsthenegligentorgrosslynegligentoperationofa
vesseland/orinterferencewiththesafeoperationofavesselsoasto
endangerlivesand/orproperty .TheU .S .CoastGuardmayimposea
civilpenaltyfornegligentoperation .Grosslynegligentoperationisa
criminaloffenseandanoperatormaybefinedupto$5,000,imprisoned
foroneyear,orboth .
Someactionsthatmayconstitutenegligentorgrosslynegligent
operationare:
• Operatingaboatinadesignatedswimmingarea .
• Excessivespeedinthevicinityofotherboatsorinregulated
waters .
• Hazardouswaterskiingorotherwatersportspractices .
• Bowriding,orridingonseatback,gunwale,ortransom .
• Operatingaboatwhileundertheinfluenceofalcoholordrugs .
BackwashBoil
Low-head DamEscape Route
48 49
Boating Under the Influence (BUI) (46 USC 2302 (c)/33 CFR 95)
Operatingavesselwhileintoxicatedisdangerousandafederalof-
fense .Ifanoperatorofarecreationalboathasabloodalcoholcontent
of .08( .10insomestates)orgreater,theoperatorissubjecttoacivil
penaltynottoexceed$1,000acriminalpenaltynottoexceed$5,000,
oraone-yearimprisonment,orboth .Intoxicatedoperatorswhoare
citedbytheCoastGuardmayalsobecitedbyotherstateorlocallaw
enforcementofficials .Statecriminalpenaltiesmayvaryandcould
includearrest,fines,and/orlossofmotorvehicledrivingprivileges .
Termination of Use (46 USC 4308/33 CFR 177.05)
AU .S .CoastGuardBoardingOfficerwhoobservesavesselbeing
operatedinanunsafecondition,specificallydefinedbylaworregula-
tion,anddeterminesthatanespeciallyhazardousconditionexiststhat
cannotbecorrectedonthespot,mayterminatethevessel’svoyage
anddirecttheoperatortoreturntoport .
Terminationforunsafeusemaybeimposedfor:
• Insufficientlife-savingdevices .
• Insufficientfireextinguishers .
• Anoverloadedvessel .
• Improperdisplayofnavigationlights .
• Improperventilationoffueltanksandenginespaces .
• Fuelleakoraccumulationoffuelinthebilges .
• Inadequatebackfireflamecontrol .
• Operatinginregulatedboatingareasduringpredetermined
adverseconditions(appliesonlytoThirteenthUSCGDistrict:
Idaho,Montana,Oregon,Washington) .
• Amanifestlyunsafevoyage .
AnoperatorwhorefusestocomplywiththedirectionsofaU .S .Coast
GuardBoardingOfficertoterminatetheunsafeuseofarecreational
vesselcanbecitedforfailuretocomplywiththeBoardingOfficer’s
instruction,aswellasforthespecificviolationthatwasthebasisforthe
terminationorder .Violatorsmaybefinedupto$1,000,orimprisoned
foruptooneyear,orboth .
Reporting Boating Accidents (33 CFR 173.55)
Theoperatororownerofanyrecreationalboatisrequiredtofilea
BoatingAccidentReportiftheboatisinvolvedinanaccidentthat
resultsinanyofthefollowing:
• Lossoflife .
• Apersondisappearsfromthevesselundercircumstances
thatindicatedeathorinjury .
• Personalinjurythatrequiresmedicaltreatmentbeyond
basicfirstaid .
• Damagetotheboatandotherpropertydamageof$2,000or
more .
• Completelossoftheboat .
Boatoperatorsarerequiredtoreporttheiraccidenttolocalauthorities
inthestatewheretheaccidentoccurred .
Fatal Accidents
Immediatenotificationisrequiredforfatalaccidents .Ifapersondiesor
goesmissingasaresultofarecreationalboatingaccident,thenearest
stateboatingauthoritymustbenotifiedwithoutdelay .Thefollowing
informationmustbeprovided:
• Date,time,andexactlocationoftheaccident .
• Nameofeachpersonwhodiedorwentmissing .
• Numberandnameofthevessel .
• Nameandaddressoftheownerandoperator .
Reporting Timelines
Ifapersondies,goesmissingfromtheboat,orreceivesinjuriesrequir-
ingmedicaltreatmentbeyondbasicfirstaid,aformalreportmustbe
filedwithin48hoursoftheaccident .
Foraccidentsinvolvingpropertydamageof$2,000ormore,orthe
completelossofavessel,aformalreportmustbemadewithin10days .
Notethatstaterequirementsforreportingboatingaccidentsmaybe
morestringentthanfederalrequirements .Somestates,forexample,
mayrequirethatallboatingaccidentsbereportedimmediately .Check
withthelocalmarinepatrolortheBoatingLawAdministratorinthe
statewheretheaccidentoccurredforthereportingproceduresthat
50 51
apply .TodownloadaReferenceGuidetoStateBoatingLawsand
findmoreinformationregardingaccidentreporting,visittheU .S .Coast
GuardBoatingSafetyDivisionwebsiteatwww .uscgboating .org .
Rendering Assistance (46 USC 2304)
Themasterorpersoninchargeofavesselisobligatedbylawto
provideassistancethatcanbesafelyprovidedtoanyindividualin
dangeratsea .Themasterorpersoninchargeissubjecttoafineand/
orimprisonmentforfailuretodoso .
Requesting Assistance (Non-Distress Call)
IfaboatercontactstheU .S .CoastGuardonChannel16VHF-FMor
Channel70DSCandthesituationisdeterminedtobenon-distress,the
CoastGuardwilloffertocontactanyassistanceprovider(commercialor
friend)theboaterrequests .Iftheboaterhasnopreference,theCoast
GuardwillissueaMarineAssistanceRequestBroadcast(MARB) .The
boatermaythenbecontacteddirectlybyanotherboater“GoodSamari-
tan”orbyacommercialassistanceproviderwithanofferofhelp .
U.S. Coast Guard Boarding Policy
Title 14, Section 89, of the United States Code authorizes the U. S.
Coast Guard to board vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States, anytime upon the high seas and upon waters over which the
United States has jurisdiction, to make inquiries, examinations, inspec-
tions, searches, seizures, and arrests.
What to Expect
TheU .S .CoastGuardisamulti-missionagency .Althoughitslegacy
missionofsavinglivesatsearemainsapriority,enforcementofmari-
timelawsandhomelandsecurityhasbecometheU .S .CoastGuard’s
–andthenation’s–focus .TheU .S .CoastGuardconductsnearly
70,000boardingsayearinitsmultipleroles:enforcingthelaw,provid-
ingsearchandrescueservices,promotingboatingsafety,preventing
damagetomarineenvironments,andhelpingtosecurethenation’s
borders .Themoretimeaboaterspendsonthewater,themorelikely
heorshewillexperienceaU .S .CoastGuardboarding .
Duringlawenforcementboardings,thescopeofthevesselinspection
istodeterminethevessel’sstatus(commercial,recreational,passen-
ger,cargo,and/orcommercialfishing)andtocheckforcompliance
withallapplicablefederallawsandregulations .
Thedecisiontoboardmaybebasedonavessel’sactivity,location,
and,insomecircumstances,obviousviolations,suchasoperating
atnightwithoutnavigationlights,orimproperdisplayofregistration
numbers .TheCoastGuardvesselwillusuallyradioaseriesofpre-
boardingquestions,suchas:Whatwasthevessel’slastportofcall
andwhatisitsnextportof
call?Howmanypersons
areonboard?Whatisthe
purposeofyourvoyage?
IftheCoastGuard
decidestoboard,consider
itanimportantopportu-
nitytolearnsomething
newaboutsafetyequipmentandsafeboatingpractices .Typically,a
uniformedU .S .CoastGuardBoardingTeamoftwotofourofficers
willcomeaboard,introducethemselves,andstatethereasonforthe
boarding .Likealllawenforcementofficers,theywillbearmed .The
officerinchargewillaskifyouhaveanyweaponsaboard;ifso,they
willusuallysecureallweaponsforthedurationoftheboarding .They
willconductaninitialsafetyinspectiontoidentifyanyobvioussafety
hazardsandtoverifythegeneralseaworthinessofyourvessel .
Theofficerwillthenasktoseethevessel’sregistrationorotherdocu-
mentationandproceedtoamoredetailedinspectionofyourrequired
safetyequipment:lifejackets,fireextinguishers,flares,etc .Youshould
knowthattheBoardingOfficerwillcheckeveryaspectofeachitem
onthelist .Forexample,withlifejackets–theitemmostfrequently
citedforviolations–theofficerwillchecktoseeifyouhaveU .S .Coast
Guard-approvedlifejacketsonboard,ingoodandserviceablecondi-
tion,properlystowed,andthecorrectsizefortheintendedwearers .
Whentheboardingiscomplete,theofficerwillprovideyouwithareport
oftheboarding,notingtheresultsoftheinspectionofyourvessel .In
theeventofaviolation,theBoardingOfficerwillexplaintheresultsand
theproceduresyouwillneedtofollowtobringyourvesselintocompli-
ance .Ifyouhaveanyquestions,asktheBoardingOfficerbeforethe
teamdeparts .
52 53
VESSEL SAFETy CHECK
TheU .S .CoastGuardwouldliketoseeall
vesselsincompliancewithequipmentcarriage
requirementsandsafelyoperated .Ifyouare
uncertainaboutthesafetyrequirementsfor
yourvessel,onewaytomakesureyouarein
complianceistoscheduleaVesselSafetyCheck(VSC),offeredas
afreepublicservicebytheUnitedStatesCoastGuardAuxiliaryand
UnitedStatesPowerSquadrons®,volunteerorganizationsdedicated
toassistingtheU .S .CoastGuardinpromotingboatingsafety .Other
federalandstateagenciesmayalsoconducttheseVesselSafety
Checks .(Findoutmoreatwww .safetyseal .net .)
AVSCisnotalawenforcementaction;however,insomestatesqualifiedmarinelawenforcementpersonnelmayconductVesselSafety
Checks .Qualifiedexaminerswillcometoyourvesselandconduct
acourtesyexaminationofsafetyequipmentcarriedorinstalledand
certainaspectsofthevessel’soverallcondition .VSCrequirements
parallelfederalandstaterequirementswithregardtoequipmentand
vesselcondition .ThosevesselsthatpasswillbeawardedaVSCdecal
indicatingasuccessfulcheck .
TheitemscheckedduringaVSCare:
• Navigationlights .
• Soundproducingdevices/bell .
• Voicecommunications .
• Lifejacketsandthrowableflotationdevices .
• Fireextinguishers .
• Visualdistresssignals .
• Backfireflamecontrol .
• Overallvesselcondition,includingelectric-fuelsystems,
galley-heatingsystems,deckfreeofhazards/cleanbilge .
• Ventilation .
• Properdisplayofnumbers .
• Pollutionplacard(oilywastedischarge) .
• MARPOLtrashplacards(garbagedumpingrestriction) .
• Marinesanitationdevice .
• Registration/documentation .
• NavigationRulesbook .
• Stateand/orlocalrequirements .
Other recommended equipmentWhilenotrequired,thefollowingarealsostronglyrecommended:
• VHF-FMMarineRadiowithDigitalSelectiveCallingSystem .
• DewateringDeviceandBackup .
• MountedFireExtinguishers .
• AnchorandLine .
• FirstAidKit .
• Person-in-Water(PIW)Kit .
• CapacityPlates .
DuringtheVesselSafety
Check,thevesselexaminer
willdiscusswiththerecre-
ationalboaterthepurposeof
specificmarinesafetyequip-
ment,willclarifyfederaland
stateregulations,willdiscuss
certainsafetyprocedures,and
willansweranyboating-related
questions .Someofthetopicsdiscussedare:
• Accidentreporting/ownerresponsibility .
• ChartsandAidstoNavigation .
• Offshoreoperation .
• Inflatableliferafts .
• Immersionsuits .
• Survivaltips .
• Firstaid .
• Floatplans .
• Weatherandseaconditions .
• Insuranceconsiderations .
• Fuelingandfuelmanagement .
• Boatingchecklist .
• Availabilityofboatingsafetyclasses .
• America’sWaterwayWatch .
For More Information
ToscheduleaVesselSafetyCheck,orformoreinformationonthe
VesselSafetyCheckProgram,contactyourlocalU .S .CoastGuard
AuxiliaryorUnitedStatesPowerSquadrons,stateboatingagency,or
visittheVesselSafetyCheckwebsiteatwww .safetyseal .net .
54 55
SAFETy AND SURVIVAL TIPS
Safe Boating Education
Trainingisimportantforboatersofallexperiencelevels,butespecially
forthebeginningboater .Inatypicalyear,approximately70percentof
accidentsinvolvingfatalitiesoccuronboatswheretheboatoperator
hashadnoformalinstructionon
howtooperatethevessel .Asa
result,morethanhalfofallstates
haveenactedlegislationmandat-
ingboatersafetyeducationasa
requirementforboatoperators .
Boatingsafetyisnoaccident .
Tofurtherdevelopyourboating
knowledge,proficiency,and
confidence,takeaboatingsafety
course .
Tolocatelocalcourseofferings,orformoreinformationonrecreational
boatingandboatingsafety,contactyourstateboatingagency,U .S .
CoastGuardDistrictoffice,oroneoftheorganizationslistedbelow:
Operator’s Responsibilities
Yourdegreeofenjoymentonthewaterdependsonyou,your
equipment,andotherpeoplewho,likeyourself,boatresponsibly .
Asaboatoperator,youshould:
• MakesurethateveryoneonboardiswearingaU .S .Coast
Guard-approvedlifejacketatalltimeswhileonthewater .
• Takeaboatingsafetycourse .
• Neveroperateavesselwhileundertheinfluenceofalcoholor
dangerousdrugs .
• Makesureyourboatisintopoperatingcondition .Itshouldbe
freeoftrippinghazardsandfirehazards,andhavecleanbilges .
• Makesuretherequiredsafetyequipmentisonboard,maintainedin
goodworkingorder,andthatyouknowhowtousethesedevices .
• Alwaysfileafloatplanwitharelativeorfriend .
• Haveacompleteunderstandingoftheoperationandhandling
characteristicsofyourboat .
• Knowyourlocation,whereyouaregoing,andhowtoreturn .
• Maintainasafespeedatalltimestoavoidcollision .
• Keepaneyeoutforchangingweatherconditions,andact
accordingly .
• Knowandfollowthe“RulesoftheRoad”(NavigationRules .)
• Knowandobeyfederalandstateregulationsandwaterway
markers .
• Besuretomaintainaproperlookout .Scanthewaterbackand
forth .Stayalert .Mostboatingaccidentsarecausedbyoperator
inattention .
Remember, you are the key to safe boating!
Carbon Monoxide Hazards
CarbonMonoxide(CO)canbeasilentkilleronhouseboatsandother
recreationalvessels .Eachyear,boatersareinjuredorkilledbycarbon
monoxide .Virtuallyallsuchpoisoningsarepreventable .
Carbonmonoxideisaby-productofthecombustionofcarbon-based
material,suchasgasoline,propane,charcoal,orwood .Common
sourcesaboardboatsincludemainandauxiliaryengines,generators,
cookingranges,spaceheaters,andwaterheaters .Notethatcold
andpoorlytunedenginesproducemorecarbonmonoxidethanwarm,
properlytunedengines .
Take Time to Reflect on Safety Safe Boating Begins Here ... with You!
United States Coast Guard AuxiliaryNationalHeadquarterswww .cgaux .org
United States Power Squadrons®NationalHeadquarters(888)367-8777www .usps .org
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (859)225-9487www .nasbla .org
National Safe Boating Council (703)361-4294www .safeboatingcouncil .org
BoatU.S. Foundation (800)245-2628www .boatus .com/foundation
U .S .CoastGuardDistrictOfficesarelistedontheinsidebackcover .
56 57
COcancollectwithinaboatinavarietyofways .Exhaustleaks–the
leadingcauseofcarbonmonoxidefatalities–canallowCOtomigrate
throughouttheboatandintoenclosedareas .Evenproperlyventedex-
haustcanre-enteraboatifitismooredtooclosetoadockoranother
boat,oriftheexhaustispushedbackbyprevailingwinds .Exhaustcan
alsore-enterboatswhencruisingundercertainconditions,especially
withcanvasinplace,whichproducesthe“stationwagon”effect .Ex-
haustcanalsocollectinenclosedspacesnearthesternswimplatform .
What To Do
Scheduleregularengineandexhaustsystemmaintenanceinspections
byexperiencedandtrainedmechanics .
BeawarethatdangerousconcentrationsofCOcanaccumulatewhen
aboat,generator,orotherfueleddeviceisoperatedwhiletheboatisat
apier,nearaseawall,oralongsideanotherboat .Donotrunenginesor
equipmentforextendedperiodsoftimeundertheseconditionswithout
continuousmonitoring .
Keepforward-facinghatchesopentoallowfreshairtocirculateinac-
commodationspaces,evenininclementweather .
Keeppeopleclearofthereardeckareaandswimplatformoftheboat
whilethegeneratororenginesarerunning .Alwaysmonitortheswim-
mingarea .
Anotherdangerouspracticetoavoidisthetowedwatersportof“teak”
surfing(alsoreferredtoas“drag”or“platform”surfing) .Teaksurfingis
anactivitywhereparticipantshangontotheboat’sswimplatformwhile
theboatmovesforwardslowlythroughthewaterandtheparticipants
surfinitswake .Thisisdangerousontwolevels:itplacesindividu-
alsincloseproximitytothevessel’spropeller,anditexposesthemto
dangerouslyhighlevelsofcarbonmonoxidecreatedbythevessel’s
exhaust .Individualscanloseconsciousnessinseconds .Teaksurfing
isadangerouspracticethathasbeenprohibitedbylawinmanystates .
Donotconfusecarbonmonoxidepoisoningwithseasicknessorintoxi-
cation .lfsomeoneonboardcomplainsofirritatedeyes,headaches,
nausea,weakness,ordizziness,immediatelymovethepersontofresh
air,investigatethecause,andtakecorrectiveaction .Ifnecessary,seek
medicalattention .
Installacarbonmonoxidedetectorineachaccommodationspaceon
yourboat .Checkthedetectorsperiodicallytobesuretheyare
functioningproperly .
Carbon Monoxide Checklist
EachTrip:
• Makesureallexhaustclampsareinplaceandsecure .
• Lookforexhaustleakingfromtheexhaustsystemcomponents,
asevidencedbyrustand/orblackstreaking,waterleaks,orcor-
rodedorcrackedfittings .
• Inspectrubberexhausthosesforburnedorcrackedsections .All
rubberhosesshouldbepliableandfreeofkinks .
• Confirmthatcoolingwaterflowsfromtheexhaustoutletwhenthe
enginesandgeneratorarestarted .
• Listenforanychangeinexhaustsoundthatcouldindicatea
failureofanexhaustcomponent .
• Testtheoperationofeachcarbonmonoxidedetector .
• Do not operatethevesselifanyoftheseproblemsexist .
AnnualMaintenancetobePerformedbyaQualifiedMarineTechnician:
• Replaceexhausthosesifanyevidenceofcracking,charring,or
deteriorationisfound .
• Inspecteachwaterpumpimpellerandinspecttheconditionof
thewaterpumphousing .Replaceifwornorcracked(refertothe
engineandgeneratormanualsforfurtherinformation) .
• Inspecteachofthemetallicexhaustcomponentsforcracking,
rusting,leaking,orlooseness .Payparticularattentiontothe
cylinderhead,exhaustmanifold,andwaterinjectionelbow .
• Clean,inspect,andconfirmtheproperoperationofthegenerator
coolingwateranti-siphonvalve(ifsoequipped) .
Regularmaintenanceandproperoperationoftheboatarethebest
defensesagainstpoisoningfromcarbonmonoxide .Tofindoutmore
abouthowyoucanpreventcarbonmonoxidepoisoningonrecreational
boats,visittheU .S .CoastGuardBoatingSafetyDivisionwebsiteat
www .uscgboating .org/command/co .htm .
58 59
Overloading
Neverloadyourboatwithpassengersandcargobeyonditssafe
carryingcapacity .Toomanypeopleand/ortoomuchgearcancause
theboattobecomeunstable .Alwaysbalancetheloadsothattheboat
maintainspropertrim .Whenloadingyourboat:
• Distributetheloadevenlyforeandaftandfromsidetoside .
• Keeptheloadlowintheboat .
• Keeppassengersseated;avoidstandinginsmallboats .
• Securegeartopreventshifting .
• DonotexceedtheloadspecifiedintheU .S .CoastGuardMaxi-
mumCapacitiesinformationlabel,commonlycalledthe“capacity
plate,”requiredbyfederallawonmotorizedmono-hullboatsless
than20feetinlength .
Ifthereisnocapacityplate,usethefollowingformulaasaguidetode-
terminethemaximumnumberofpersonsyoucansafelycarryincalm
weather .Theformulaisapplicableonlytomono-hullboatslessthan
20feet(12meters)inlength .Amono-hullisaboatthatmakesasingle
“footprint”inthewaterwhenloadedtoitsratedcapacity;catamarans,
trimarans,andpontoonboatsarenotmono-hullboats .
Anchoring
Anchoringisdonefortwoprincipalreasons:1)tostopforfishing,
swimming,lunch,oranovernightstay,and2)tokeeptheboatfrom
runningagroundinbadweatherorasaresultofenginefailure .
Anchoringcanbeasimpletaskifyoufollowtheseguidelines:
• Makesureyouhavethepropertypeofanchor(Danforth/Plow/
Mushroom) .
• Attacha3-6footlengthofgalvanizedchaintotheanchor .A
chainwillwithstandabrasionbysand,rock,ormudonthebottom
muchbetterthanafiberline .
• Attachalengthofnylonanchorlinetotheendofthechainusing
ananchorswivel,acombinationcalledthe“Rode .”Thenylon
willstretchunderthe
impactofheavywaves
orwind,cushioningthe
strainontheboatand
theanchor .
• Selectanareathat
offersmaximumprotec-
tionfromwind,current,
andboattraffic .
• Determinethewater
depthandtypeofbot-
tom(preferablysandormud) .
• Calculatetheamountofanchorlineyouwillneedtoletout .The
generalruleisfivetoseventimesasmuchlineasthedepthof
waterplusthedistancefromthesurfaceofthewatertowherethe
anchorwillattachtothebow .Forexample,ifthewateriseight
feetdeepanditistwofeetfromthesurfaceofthewatertoyour
bowcleat,youwouldmultiply10feetby5or7togettheamount
ofanchorlinetoputout .(Seediagrambelow .)
MAXIMUM HORSE POWER
MAXIMUM PERSONS CAPACITY (POUNDS)
MAXIMUM WEIGHT CAPACITY
THIS BOAT COMPLIES WITH U.S. COAST GUARD SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF CERTIFICATION
PERSONS MOTOR & GEAR (POUNDS)
MODEL NO. SERIAL NO.MFO. BY
U.S. COAST GUARD CAPACITY INFORMATION
Boat Width (in feet)
2.5
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
1
2
2
3
3
4
3.5
2
2
3
3
4
4
4
2
3
3
4
4
5
4.5
3
3
4
4
5
5
5
3
4
4
5
5
6
5.5
4
4
5
5
6
6
6
4
5
5
6
6
7
Boat Length (in feet)
6
8
10
12
14
16
MaximumNumberofPersons=BoatLengthXBoatWidth 15
DEPTHOF WATER
LENGTH OF ANCHOR LINE: 50-70 FEET8 FEET
SCOPE 7:1Scope abovewaterline: 2 feet
1 .SCREWPINSHACKLE2 .SWIVEL3 .THIMBLE4 .CHAFINGCHAIN5 .ANCHORSHANK
12
3
5
4
60 61
• Securetheanchorlinetothebowcleatatthepointyouwantitto
stop .
• Bringthebowofthevesselintothewindorcurrent .
• Whenyougettothespotyouwanttoanchor,placetheenginein
neutral .
• Whentheboatcomestoastop,slowlylowertheanchor .Donot
throwtheanchorover,asthrowingtendstofoultheanchorline .
• Whenallofthelinehasbeenletout,backdownontheanchor
withtheengineinidlereversetohelpsettheanchorfirmlyonthe
bottom .
• Whentheanchorisset,takenoteofreferencepoints(landmarks)
inrelationtotheboat .Checkthesepointsfrequentlytomake
sureyouarenotdrifting .
Do notanchorfromthestern!!
Anchoringbythesternhascausedmanyboats–smallboatsespe-
cially–tocapsizeandsink .Thereasonisthatthetransomisusually
squaredoffandhaslessfreeboardthanthebow .Inaddition,thestern
maybecarryingtheaddedweightofamotor,fueltank,orgearbrought
onboard .Inastrongcurrent,theforceofthewatercanpullthe
sternunder .Anchoringatthesternalsomakestheboatvulnerableto
swampingbywaveaction .
Vessels Operating Offshore
Ifyouoperateyourvesseloffshore,youshouldconsidercarryingad-
ditionalsafetyequipmentbeyondtheminimumfederalrequirements .
Thisequipmentshouldincludeappropriatecommunicationsgear,an
inflatableliferaft,anEmergencyPositionIndicatingRadioBeacon
(EPIRB),andameansofaccuratelydeterminingyourlocation .Incold
waters,youshouldalsocarryanimmersionsuitforeveryoneonboard .
Donotunderestimatethedangerofhypothermia .
Communications
Carrycommunicationsgear–amarineVHF-FMand/orHFtransceiver(s)
–appropriatetoyouroperatingarea .Cellularphonecoverageisavail-
ableinmanycoastalareas,butshould not beconsideredasubstitute
forVHF-FMmarinebandradiosforemergencypurposes .
Improperuseofaradio-telephoneisacriminaloffense .Theuseof
obscene,indecent,orprofanelanguageduringradiocommunications
isafederaloffence .Penaltiesexistformisuseofaradio,suchas
issuingafalsedistresscall .
Channel16istheprimaryVHF-FMmarineradiocallinganddistress
channel .Itisnottobeusedforgeneralconversationorradiochecks .
Suchtrafficshouldbeconductedonanotherauthorizedworkingchannel .
Inflatable Life Rafts
Aninflatableliferaftcan
provideasurvivalplatform
foranextendedperiodof
time .Makesurethelife
raftislargeenoughfor
everyoneonboardwhen
theboatoperatesoffshore .
Itshouldhavetheappropri-
ateemergencyequipmentpack,andshouldbeprofessionallyserviced
periodically,accordingtothemanufacturer’sinstructions .U .S .Coast
Guard-approvedliferaftsmustmeetanumberofstringentmaterialand
performancestandards .
Satellite EPIRBs
406MHzSatelliteEmergencyPositionIndicatingRadioBeacons
(EPIRBs)aredesignedtoquicklyandreliablyalertrescuepersonnel,
indicateanaccuratedistressposition,andguiderescueunitstothedis-
tressscene,evenwhenallothercommunicationsfail .(Seepage75 .)
Life Raft
RESCUECOORDINATION CENTER
SARSATMISSION CONTROL
GROUNDSTATION
VESSEL IN TROUBLE
EPRIBs
SATELLITE
SEARCH & RESCUE
position,
other communications
SATELLITSATELLITSA E
62 63
Immersion Suits
Immersionsuitswilldelaytheeffectsofhypothermiaincoldwater .
(Seepage63 .)Theyshouldbeproperlystowedandmaintainedinac-
cordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructions .
Determining your Location
Itisadvisabletocarryonboardadevicetodetermineyourposition,
suchasaGlobalPositionalSystem(GPS) .Thesedevicescanbe
mountedorhand-heldandwillprovidetheboaterwithanaccurate
locationtoaidrescueagenciesintheeventofanemergency .
Small Boats, Hunters, Anglers, and Paddlers
Manyhunters,anglers,andpaddlersdonotthinkofthemselvesas
boaters,yettheyusesemi-Vhullvessels,flat-bottomjonboats,orca-
noesandkayaksinpursuitoftheirsport .Theseboatstendtobeless
stableandcaneasilycapsize .Capsizings,sinkings,orfallsoverboard
fromsmallboatsaccountfor70percentofallboatingfatalities .Opera-
torsneedtobefullyawareoftheirboat’slimitationsandpossessthe
skillandknowledgetoovercomethem .
Standinginasmallboatraisesthecenterofgravityandriskscapsizing
theboat .Standingforanyreason,evenchangingseatingposition,
canbedangerous,asissittingonthegunwalesorseatbacks,orona
pedestalseatwhileunderway .Araisedcenterofgravitymeansthata
wave,wake,orsuddenturncancapsizetheboatorresultinaperson
fallingoverboard .
Staying Afloat
Iftheboatcapsizes,oryoufalloverboard,followtheserulestostay
afloat:
• Remaincalm:donotthrashaboutortrytoremoveclothingor
footwear .Itisacommonbeliefthatpersonsdressedinheavy
clothingorwaderswillsinkimmediatelyiftheyfalloverboard .
Thisisnottrue .Airtrappedinclothingprovidesconsiderable
flotation,andbendingthekneeswilltrapairinwaders,providing
additionalflotation .Thrashinginthewaterleadstoexhaustion
andincreasesthelossofairthatkeepsyouafloat .
• Ifyouarewearingalifejacket,keepiton .
• Keepyourkneesbent .
• Floatonyourbackandpaddleslowlytosafety .
Cold-Water Survival
Suddenimmersionincoldwatercaninducerapid,uncontrolledbreath-
ing,cardiacarrest,andotherphysicalconditionsthatcanresultin
drowning .Inanunexpectedplunge,orinsituationswhereyoumust
entercoldwater,hereareafewguidelinestofollow:
• Buttonupyourclothing .
• Coveryourheadifpossible;about50percentofbodyheatislost
fromthehead .
• Ifenteringthewatervoluntarily,enterslowly .
• Keepyourheadoutofthewaterifpossible .
• Ifyoucannotimmediatelygetoutofthewaterandrescueis
notimminent,drawyour
kneestoyourchestand
wrapyourarmsacross
yourchest,huggingyour
lifejacketintheHeat
EscapeLesseningPosture
(H .E .L .P .)Thiswillprotect
themajorareasofyour
bodyfromheatloss .
• Ifyourboathascapsized
andthereareothersin
thewaterwithyou,huddletogetherwithyourarmsaroundeach
other .Thesehuddlesaregoodformorale,keepeveryoneto-
gether,andmakealargertargettospotinthewater–allofwhich
increaseyourchancesofbeingseenandrescued .
Hypothermia
Immersionincoldwaterspeedsthelossofbodyheatandcanleadto
hypothermia .Hypothermiaistheabnormalloweringofinternalbody
temperature .Ifyourvesselcapsizes,itwilllikelyfloatonorjustbelow
thesurface .Outboard-poweredvessels,builtafter1978,aredesigned
tosupportyoueveniffullofwaterorcapsized .Toreducetheeffects
ofhypothermia,getinorontheboat .Trytogetasmuchofyourbody
outofthewateraspossible .Ifyoudonotgetintheboat,alifejacket
willenableyoutokeepyourheadoutofthewater .Thisisimportant
becauseabout50percentofbodyheatlossisfromthehead .
H.E.L.P. Position
64 65
Coldwatersurvivalcanbebrokendownintothreephases:
• cold Shock:aninitialdeepandsuddengaspfollowedbyhyper-
ventilation .Coldshockwillpassinaboutoneminute .
• cold Incapacitation:inthenext10minutesyouwilllosethe
effectiveuseofyourfingers,arms,andlegsforanymeaningful
movement .Concentrateonself-rescue .
• Hypothermia: Dependingonthetemperatureofthewater,lossof
consciousnessmayoccurinaslittleasonehour .
Formoreinformation,seeColdWaterBootCampat
www .watersafetycongress .org .
Itmaybepossibletoreviveadrowningvictimwhohasbeenunder
waterforconsiderabletimeandshowsnosignsoflife .Numerous
documentedcasesexistwherevictimshavebeenresuscitatedwithno
apparentharmfuleffectsafterlongimmersions .StartCPRimmediately
andgetthevictimtoahospitalasquicklyaspossible .
TheDangerZoneindicatesconditionswheresafetyprecautionsand
appropriatebehavior(adoptingH .E .L .P .)canmakethedifference
betweendeathandsurvival .
Trailering
Legal Requirements
Besureyourboattrailerhascurrentstateregistrationandlicense
plates,andworkinglights .Also,ifyourboatismorethan8 .5feetwide,
itmayrequireaspecialpermitfromyourstateDepartmentofTranspor-
tationbeforetransportingitonthehighway .
Safety
Aboathullisdesignedforevensupportonthewater .Whentrans-
portedonatrailer,yourboatshouldbesupportedasevenlyaspossible
acrossthehulltoallowforevendistributionoftheweightoftheboat
andanycontents .Yourtrailershouldbelongenoughtosupportthefull
lengthofthehull,butshortenoughtoallowtheboatengine–secured
andinthefull“up”position–toextendfreely .
Beforetowing:
• Besurethetowballandcouplerarethesamesizeandthatall
boltswithwashersaretightlysecured .Thecouplershouldbe
completelyovertheballandthelatchingmechanismlocked .
• Balancetheloadevenlyfromfronttorearandside-to-side .Too
muchweightonthehitchwillcausetherearwheelsofthetow
vehicletodragandmaymakesteeringdifficult .Toomuchweight
ontherearofthetrailerwillcausethetrailerto“fishtail .”
• Checkthatsafetychainsareattached,trailerlightsfunctionprop-
erly,tires(includingthespare)areadequatelyinflated,brakesare
fullyfunctional,andsidemirrorsarelargeenoughtoprovidean
unobstructedviewonbothsidesofthevehicle .
• Secureallequipmentinsidetheboat .Securetheboatcover,if
used,sothatitwillnotblowoffortearwhiletowing .
Pre-Launching Preparations
• Tosavetime,prepareyourboatforlaunchingawayfromthe
ramp .Removeenginesupportsandtie-downs,andmakesurethe
winchisproperlyattachedtotheboweyeandlockedinposition .
Disconnectthetrailerlightstopreventshortingoftheelectrical
systemorburningoutabulb .
• Installthedrainplug .Makereadydocklines,fenders,andboat
hooks .Attachalinetothebowandthesternoftheboatsothe
Dur
atio
n of
Imm
ersi
on (H
ours
)
Water Temperature (°F)
30°40°50°60°70°
5
4
3
2
1
High Probability of Death
Low Probability of Death
Danger Zone
66 67
boatcannotdriftawayafterlaunchingandcanbeeasilymaneu-
veredtothedockingarea .
• Visuallyinspectthelaunchrampforhazards,suchasasteep
dropoff,slipperyarea,andsharpobjects .Proceedslowlytothe
ramp,rememberingthatyourboatisjustrestingonthetrailerand
attachedonlyatthebow .Haveonepersonintheboatandoneat
thewater’sedgetohelpguidethedriverofthetowvehicle .
• Double-checkthatyouhaveinstalledthedrainplug .
Launching
• Keepthetrailer’srearwheels(andtheboat’sexhaustpipes)out
ofthewater .Iftheexhaustpipesbecomeimmersedinthewater,
theenginemaystall .
• Settheparkingbrakeandplacetirechocksbehindrearwheels .
Checkboatsystems,blower,bilge,pumps,andlights .Lower
themotor .Starttheboatengineandmakesurewaterispassing
throughtheenginecoolingsystem .
• Makesuresomeoneonshoreisholdingthelinesattachedtothe
boat .Releasethewinchanddisconnectthewinchlinefromthe
bowwhentheboatoperatorisready .Launchwithalightshove
orbybackingoffthetrailerunderpower .
Retrieval
• Asyouapproachthetakeoutramp,noteanychangesinthe
current,tide,winddirectionand/orvelocity,andanyincreasesin
boatingtrafficthatcouldmakeretrievalmoredifficult .Maneuver
theboatcarefullytothesubmergedtrailerandraisethelowerunit
oftheengine .
• Winchtheboatontothetrailerandsecureit .Drivethetrailerwith
boataboardcarefullyoutoftheramptoadesignatedparking
areaforcleanup,reloading,andanequipmentsafetycheck .
• Removethedrainplug .Washthetrailerandboat,andflush
theenginewithfreshwater .Thiswillhelppreventthetransfer
orspreadofinvasivespecies .Insomeareasspecialwashing
stationsareprovidedandmustbeused .Checkwithyourlocal
marinepatrolagencies .
Fueling Precautions
Mostfiresandexplosionshappenduringorshortlyafterfueling .To
avoidanaccident,followthesesafetyguidelines .
• Refuelanyportabletanksashore .
• Closeallhatchesandotheropeningsbeforerefueling .Extinguish
allsmokingmaterials .Turnoffengines,allelectricalequipment,
radios,stoves,andotherappliances .Removeallpassengers .
• Keepthefillnozzleincontactwiththetankandwipeupany
spilledfuel .
• Afterfueling,openallports,hatches,anddoorstoventilate .Run
theblowerforatleastfourminutes .Checkthebilgesforfuel
vaporsbeforestartingtheengine .Dothe“snifftest”tomakesure
thereisnoodorofgasolineanywhereintheboat .
Do not start the engine until all traces of fuel vapors are eliminated!
Fuel Management
Practicethe“One-ThirdRule”byusing:
• One-thirdofthefueltogoout .
• One-thirdtogetback .
• One-thirdheldinreserve .
Propeller Blade Warning
Neverforgetthedangertopersonsinthewaterandinjuriesthatboat
propellerscaninflict .Mostpropellerinjuriesandfatalitiesinvolveopen
motorboatsfrom16to25feetinlengthandresultfromoperatorinat-
tention,inexperience,andcarelessness .
68 69
Bealert!Remembertoshutoffyourengineswhenapproaching
swimmersorotherpersonsinthewater .Keepthoseinthewateron
theoperator’ssideoftheboat,alwaysinview .Propellerguardsare
helpfulbutarenotsuitableforalltypesofboats .Thebestandsafest
actionwhenpeopleareinthewaternearyourboatistoshut off your
engines .
Weather
Youshouldneverleavethedockwithoutfirstcheckingthelocal
weatherforecast .YoucangettheweatherinformationfromtheTV,
radio,localnewspaper,online,orfromoneoftheweatherchannelson
yourVHF-FMradio .
Atcertaintimesoftheyear,weathercanchangerapidlyandyou
shouldcontinuallykeepa“weathereye”out .Whileyouareoutina
boat,hereareafewsignsyoucanlookforthatindicateanapproaching
weatherchange:
• Flatcloudsgettinglowerandthicker .
• Puffy,verticallyrisingcloudsgettinghigher .
• Dark,threateningclouds,especiallytothewest/southwest
• Asuddendropintemperature .
• Ahaloaroundthesunormoon .
• Increasingwindorasuddenchangeinwinddirection .
• Flashesonthehorizon .
• Seasbecomingheavy .
• HeavyAMradiostatic,whichcanindicatenearbythunderstorm
activity .
Ifyouhaveabarometeronboard,checkiteverytwotothreehours .
Arisingbarometerindicatesfairweatherandariseinwindvelocity;a
fallingbarometerindicatesrainapproaching .
What to Do in Severe Weather
• Reducespeed,keepingjustenoughpowertomaintainheadway .
• Makesureeveryoneonboardiswearingtheirlifejacket .
• Turnonyourrunninglights .
• Ifpossible,headforthenearestshorethatissafetoapproach .
• Headtheboatintothewavesata45degreeangle .
• Keepthebilgesfreeofwater .
• Seatanypassengersonthebottomoftheboat,nearthecenter
line .
• Iftheenginefails,trailaseaanchorfromthebowoftheboat
tokeepitheadedintothewaves(Abucketcanworkasasea
anchorinanemergency .)
• Anchortheboat,ifnecessary .
Float Plans
Playitsafe;keepastackofFloatPlanformsonhand .Leaveacopy
withafriend,relative,orthelocalmarinabeforeheadingoutonthewa-
ter .Incaseofanemergency,pertinentinformationwillberightattheir
fingertipstoenablethemtocontactthelocalmarinepoliceorCoast
Guardwithnecessarydetails .Aworldofcaution:ifyouaredelayed
anditisnotanemergency,informthosewithyourFloatPlan,andbe
suretonotifythemwhenyoureturnsotheFloatPlancanbe“closed
out”andanunnecessaryandcostlysearchavoided .AsampleFloat
PlanFormisprovidedonpage73 .TheCoastGuardalsomakesFloat
PlanFormsavailableonlineatwww .uscgboating .org .
WARNINGEXPOSED PROPELLER BLADES
People in the water can be severely injured or killed!
70 71
BOATER’S PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST
Knowyourvessel .Beforedeparture,alwaysbesureyourvesselis
ingoodworkingorderandproperlyequippedforemergencies .Avoid
inconvenienceandpotentialdangerbytakingafewminutestocheck
thefollowing:
Minimum Federal Required Equipment Page yes No
StateRegistration(CertificateofNumber) 5
StateNumberingDisplay 5
CertificateofDocumentation 6
LifeJackets:oneforeachpersononboard 9
ThrowableTypeIVDevice 14
VisualDistressSignals 17
FireExtinguisher(FullyCharged) 21
ProperVentilation 23
BackfireFlameControl 25
SoundProducingDevice 25
NavigationLights 27
OilPollutionPlacard 32
GarbagePlacard 34
MarineSanitationDevice 35
CopyofNavigationRules(InlandWaters) 36
AnyAdditionalStateRequirements
Besidesmeetingthefederalrequirements,prudentboaterscarryaddi-
tionalsafetyequipmentandsupplies .Thefollowingadditionalitemsare
suggesteddependingonthesize,location,anduseofyourboat:
Recommended Equipment and Supplies yes No N/A
VHF-FMMarineRadio
EPIRB/PLB
AnchorandLine
Chart(s)oftheAreaandNavigationTools
MagneticCompass
FendersandBoatHook
MooringLinesandHeavingLine
ManualBilgePumporBailingDevice
ToolKit
SpareParts(Fuses,SparkPlugs,Belts,etc .)
SpareBattery(FullyCharged)
SparePropeller/ShearorCotterPins
ExtraFuelandOil
AlternatePropulsion(Paddles/Oar)
FlashlightandBatteries
SearchLight
FirstAidKit
Sunscreen(SPF30+)
Mirror
FoodandWater
ExtraClothing/FoulWeatherGear
AM-FMRadio
CellularPhone
Binoculars
72 73
Safety Checks and Tests yes No N/A
TestVHFMarineRadio(VoiceCall)
TestNavigationandAnchorLights
TestSteering(FreeMovement)
TestTilt/Trim
TestBilgePump
CheckforExcessiveWaterinBilges
CheckFuelSystemforLeaks
CheckEngineFluids
EnsureBoatPlugisProperlyInstalled
CheckElectricalSystem
CheckGalley/HeatingSystems
CheckGauges(i .e .,Battery)
CheckFuelAmount
EnsureAnchorisReadyforUse
CheckLoadofVesselandSecureGear
EnsurePassengersKnowEmergencyProcedures
andEquipmentLocation
CheckthatallLifeJacketsFitProperly
ChecktheWeatherForecast
FileaFloatPlanwithRelativeorFriend
YoucanalsodownloadaPre-DepartureChecklistfromtheU .S .Coast
Guardwebsiteatwww .uscgboating .org .
SAMPLE FLOAT PLAN
TheCoastGuardmakesFloatPlanformsavailableonlineat
www .uscgboating .org .CompleteaFloatPlanbeforeboatingandleave
itwithapersonwhocanbedependedupontonotifytheU .S .Coast
Guardorothermarinerescueorganization,shouldyounotreturnas
scheduled .
Remember: Do not file this plan with the U.S. coast Guard.
Contactyourfriendincaseofadelay,andalwayswhenyoureturn .
1. Person Reporting Vessel Overdue
Name Phone
Address
2. Description of Boat
Name
Registration/DocumentationNo . Length
Make Type
HullColor TrimColor
FuelCapacity EngineType
No .ofEngines
DistinguishingFeatures
3. Operator of Boat
Name Age
Health Phone
Address
Operator’sExperience
4. Survival Equipment (Check as Appropriate)
#___LifeJackets Flares Mirror
SmokeSignals Paddles RaftorDinghy
Flashlight Water Food
Anchor EPIRB
Others
74 75
5. Marine Radio: yes No
Type Freqs .
DigitalSelectiveCalling(DSC):YesNo
6. Trip Expectations
Departfrom
DepartureDate Time
Goingto
ArrivalDate Time
Ifoperatorhasnotarrived/returnedby:Date Time
calltheCoastGuardorlocalauthorityatthefollowingnumber:
7. Vehicle Description
LicenseNo .
Make ModelColor
Whereisvehicleparked?
8. Persons on Board
Name
Age Phone
MedicalConditions
9. Additional Information
EMERGENCy NOTIFICATION/COMMUNICATION
Satellite EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons)
Emergencydistressbeaconsareessentiallyspecializedradiotransmit-
tersthataredesignedforuseinsituationsofgraveorimminentdanger
orwhenlivesareatrisk .
How the System Works
EPIRBsoperateaspartofaworldwidedistresssystem .Aninternation-
alsatelliteconstellationmaintainsavigilant,global“listening”watchfor
satelliteEPIRBdistresssignals .TheNationalOceanicandAtmospher-
icAdministration(NOAA)operatessatellites,groundstations,andan
alert-distributionsystemservingtheUnitedStatesandalargesegment
oftheinternationalcommunity .
Whenactivated,thesatelliteEPIRBtransmitsadistresssignalwith
abeacon-uniqueidentifyingcode .Thesystemdetectsthesignal,
calculatesanaccuratedistressposition,checkstheuniqueidentify-
ingcodeagainsttheEPIRBregistrationdatabase(vesselandpointof
contactinformationsuppliedbytheowner)androutesthedistressalert
withregistrationinformationtotheresponsibleU .S .CoastGuard(or
international)RescueCoordinationCenter(RCC) .
406MHzEPIRBswithGPScapability–eitherinternallyorexternally
suppliedpositionalinformation–alsoprovideanimmediateGPSposi-
tionintheinformationpassedtotheRCCandgeostationarysatellites
makedetectionalmostimmediate .IftheEPIRBdoesnothavetheabil-
itytoprovideaGPSposition,theprocesstodetermineapositiontakes
aboutonehouronaverageandalmostalwayslessthantwohours .
76 77
SatelliteEPIRBsalsoincludeahomingbeaconandstrobetohelp
rescueforcesquicklylocatethedistressscene .Satellitebeaconshave
significantcoverage,withalertingtimeliness,positionaccuracy,and
signalingadvantagesoverotherdevices .Beforepurchasingorusing
other-thana406MHzEPIRB,besureyouunderstanditscapabilities
andlimitations .
MounttheEPIRBtofloatfree,accordingtothemanufacturer’sinstruc-
tions,ifpossible .Otherwise,makesureitisreadilyaccessible .Register
theEPIRBwithNOAA,accordingtotheinstructionsprovidedwiththe
beaconorattheNOAAwebsite:www .sarsat .noaa .gov .Registrationis
mandatory,improvesresponsetime,andreducesfalsealarms .
Radio Regulations
Mostrecreationalvesselslessthan65 .6feet(20meters)inlengthare
notrequiredtocarryamarineradio .Anyvesselthatcarriesamarine
radiomustfollowtherulesoftheFederalCommunicationsCommission
(FCC) .
Licensing
TheFCCdoesnotrequiremostoperatorsofrecreationalvesselsto
carryaradioortohaveanindividuallicensetooperateVHF-FMmarine
radios,EPIRBs,oranytypeofradar .Operatorsmusthoweverfollow
theproceduresandcourtesiesthatarerequiredoflicensedopera-
torsspecifiedintheFCCrules .Youmayusethenameorregistration
numberofyourvesseltoidentifyyourshipstation .
RecreationalVesselsthatmayberequiredtobelicensed:
• Power-drivendrivenvesselsmorethan65feet(20meters)in
length .
• Anyvessel,includingarecreationalvessel,onaninternational
voyage .
Radio Listening Watch
Vesselsnotrequiredtocarryamarineradio–forexample,recreational
vesselslessthan65 .6feet(20meters)inlength,butwhichvoluntarily
carryaradio–mustmaintainawatchonChannel16(156 .800MHz)or
VHFChannel9(156 .450MHz),theboater-callingchannel,whenever
theradioisoperatingandnotbeingusedtocommunicate .
VHF Marine Radio Channels
Thechartbelowcontainsapartiallistingofchannelsrecreational
boatersshouldbefamiliarwith .ForacompletelistingofVHF
channelsandfrequenciesvisittheU .S .CoastGuardNavigation
Centerwebsiteatwww .navcen .uscg .gov .
Channel Type of Message and Use
06 Inter-ship Safety:Usedforship-to-shipsafetymessagesandsearchmessagesandforshipsandaircraftoftheCoastGuard .
09 Boater Calling: theFCChasestablishedthischannelasasupplementarycallingchannelforrecreationalboatersinordertorelievecongestiononVHFChannel16 .
13,67 Navigation Safety (also known as the Bridge-to-Bridge Channel): Shipsgreaterthan20metersinlengthmaintainalisteningwatchonthischannelinU .S .waters .Thischannelisavailable,toallships .Messagesmustbeaboutshipnavigation–i .e .,passingormeetingotherships .Youmustkeepyourmessagesshort .Yourpoweroutputmustnotbemorethanonewatt .Thisisalsothemainworkingchannelatmostlocksanddrawbridges .Channel67isforthelowerMississippiRiveronly .
16 International Distress, Safety, and Calling: Usethischanneltogettheattentionofanotherstation(calling)orinemergencies .Shipsrequiredtocarryaradiomaintainalisteningwatchonthischannel .TheU .S .CoastGuardandmostcoaststationsalsomaintainalisteningwatchonthischannel .
21A,23A, U.S. Coast Guard only .83A
22A U.S. Coast Guard liaison and Maritime Safety Informa-tion Broadcasts: AnnouncementsofurgentmarineinformationbroadcastsandstormwarningsonChannel16 .
24,25, Public Correspondence (Marine Operator): Usethese26,27 channelstocallthemarineoperatoratapublicstation .By28,84 contactingapubliccoaststation,youcanmakeand85,86 receivecallsfromtelephonesonshore .Exceptfordis-
tresscalls,publicstationsusuallychargeforthisservice .
70 Digital Selective Calling: Usethischannelfordistressandsafetycallingandforgeneralpurposecalling,using
onlydigitalselectivecalling(DSC)techniques .
78 79
Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
DigitalSelectiveCalling(DSC),allowsboaterstoinstantlysendan
automaticallyformatteddistressalerttotheCoastGuardorother
rescueauthorityanywhereintheworld .DigitalSelectiveCallingalsoal-
lowsboaterstoinitiateorreceivedistress,urgency,safety,androutine
radiotelephonecallstoorfromanysimilarlyequippedvesselorshore
station,withoutrequiringeitherpartytobeneararadioloudspeaker .
DSCactslikethedialandbellofatelephone,allowingyouto“direct
dial”and“ring”otherradios,orallowingothersto“ring”you,without
havingtolistentoaspeaker .NewVHFandHFradiotelephoneshave
DSCcapability .
AllDSC-equippedradios,andmostGPSreceivers,haveadata
interfaceconnector .TheinterfaceallowsmostmodelsofGPStobe
successfullyinterconnectedtoDSC-capableradios,regardlessof
manufacture .TheCoastGuardrecommendsthatyouinterconnect
yourGPSandDSC-equippedradio .Doingsomaysaveyourlifeinan
emergencysituation .
UsersofaVHF-FMmarineradioequippedwithDigitalSelectiveCalling
willalsoneedtoobtainaMaritimeMobileServiceIdentity(MMSI)
number .TheseareavailablefromBoatU .S .,SeaTow,theFCCandthe
UnitedStatesPowerSquadrons® .MoreinformationonDigitalSelec-
tiveCallingisavailableonlineatwww .navcen .uscg .gov/MARCOMMS/
gmdss/dsc .htm .
WhenproperlyregisteredwithanMMSInumberandinterfacedwith
GPS,theDSCradiosignaltransmitsvitalvesselinformationinan
emergency .Withonepushofabutton,yourDSCradiosendsanauto-
mateddigitaldistressalertcontainingyourMMSInumber,position,and
thenatureofthedistress(ifentered)tootherDSC-equippedvessels
andrescuefacilities .
Rescue 21
Rescue21istheadvancedcommand,control,andcommunications
systemcreatedtoimprovesearchandrescuewithstrongerVHF-FM
marineradiosignals,direction-findingcapabilities,trackingofships
andaircraft,andbettercommunicationswithstateandlocalfirst-
responders .Thesystemiscurrentlybeinginstalledinstagesacross
thecontiguous48states,Alaska,Hawaii,Guam,PuertoRico,andthe
GreatLakes .Whenfullydeployed,itwillformthebackboneoftheU .S .
CoastGuard’sshort-rangecommunicationssystem .
Withincreasedcommunicationscoverage,advanceddirectionfinding
capabilities,andDigitalSelectiveCalling,Rescue21helpstakethe
“search”outofsearchandrescue .
Capabilities:
• Incorporatesdirection-findingequipmenttoimprovelocatingves-
selsindistress .
• Enhancestheclarityofdistresscalls .
• Upgradesplaybackandrecordingfeatureofdistresscalls
• Allowssimultaneouschannelmonitoring .
• Providesfullcoverageoutto20nauticalmilesfromthecoastline
• Reducescoveragegapsforcoastalcommunicationsandalong
navigableriversandwaterways .
• SupportsDigitalSelectiveCalling .
• Portabletowersforrestorationofcommunicationsduringemer-
genciesornaturaldisasters .
• Improvesinteroperabilityamongfederal,state,andlocalagencies .
TotakefulladvantageofRescue21,boatoperatorsshouldupgradeto
aDSC-capableVHF-FMmarineradio,obtainaMaritimeMobileService
Identity(MMSI)number,enterthenumberintotheirradio,andconnect
theradiotoaGPSreceiver .
For Vessels Equipped with DSC-Capable RadiosIfyourvesselisequippedwithaDSC-capableradio,andyouhave
obtainedandregisteredanMMSInumberanditisproperlyconnected
toaGPSreceiver,youneedonlypresstheredDSCEmergency
CallButtonfor5seconds .Yourvesselinformationandpositionwill
automaticallybetransmitted,includingthenatureofthedistress(if
entered),andaDSCreplyshouldbereceived .Uponreceiptofthis
acknowledgement,yourradioshouldautomaticallyshifttoChannel16
tocontinuevoicecommunicationswithrescueassets .Ifnoreplyis
received,switchtheChannel16andusetheproceduresbelow .
SOS: Ships in Distress
Channel16istheprimaryradiochannelforshipsindistress .Tomake
adistresscallonmarineVHF-FMChannel16:
1 .Makesureradioison .
2 .SelectChannel16forstandardmarineVHF .
3 .Press/holdthetransmitbutton .
4 .Clearlysay:MAYDAY,MAYDAY,MAYDAY .
80 81
5 .Alsogive:
•Vesselname,numberand/ordescription .
•Positionand/orlocation .
•Natureofemergency .
•Numberofpeopleonboard .
6 .Releasetransmitbutton .
7 .Waitfor10seconds .Ifnoresponse,repeat“MAYDAY”callas
above .
***Make sure all persons are wearing their life jackets***
Maritime Search and Rescue
ToreportMaritimeSearchandRescueEmergencies,callthefollowing
numbers:
FortheGreatLakes,GulfandEastCoasts:
AtlanticAreaCommandCenter:
(757)398-6700
FortheHawaiian,AlaskanandPacificCoasts:
PacificAreaCommandCenter:
(510)437-3701
False Distress Alerts
Itisunlawfultointentionallytransmitafalsedistressalert,ortounin-
tentionallytransmitafalsedistressalertwithouttakingstepstocancel
thatalert .Boaterswhotransmitafalsedistressalertarerequiredto
immediatelycancelthealert .
IfyouinadvertentlytransmitafalseDSCalert:
1 .Resettheequipmentimmediately .
2 .Tuneforradiotelephonyontheassociateddistressandsafety
frequencyineachbandinwhichafalsedistressalertwastrans-
mitted .
3 .Transmitabroadcastmessageto“AllStations”givingtheship’s
name,callsign,timethealertwastransmittedandMMSI,and
cancelthefalsealertonthedistressandsafetyfrequencyineach
bandinwhichthefalsedistressalertwastransmitted .
Please post these guidelines near your radio.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
Regulated Navigation Areas/Limited Access Areas (33 CFR 165)
IntheaftermathoftheSeptember11,2001,terroristattacksonthe
WorldTradeCenterandthePentagon,andtheearlierattackonthe
USSColeinAdenHarbor,Yemen,theUnitedStatesCoastGuard
establishedSafetyandSecurityZonestopreventfurtherattackson
U .S .Navalvessels,cruiseshipsandcommercialvessels,andcritical
infrastructure–suchaspetroleumfacilitiesandnuclearpowerplants
situatedonornearthewater .Asaboater,notknowinghowtoactin
certainareasorsituationsmayputyouinlegaljeopardyor,worse,at
riskofpersonalinjury .
Helpprotectourcountrybylearningthenewrules:
Naval Vessel Protection Zones
Donotapproachwithin100yards,andslowtominimumspeedwithin
500yards,ofanyU .S .Navalvessel .Ifyouneedtoapproachwithin100
yardsinordertoensureasafepassageinaccordancewiththeNaviga-
tionRules,youmustcontacttheU .S .NavalvesselortheU .S .Coast
GuardescortvesselonyourVHFradio(Channel16)forauthorization .
IfaNavalvesselispassingnearwhereyouareoperatingyourboat,
youmaybeaskedtomoveyourvesseltomaintainthe100-yard
distance .TheU .S .CoastGuardwillmakeanannouncementaheadof
timetoalertboatersinthearea .
ViolationsoftheNavalVesselProtectionZoneareafelonyoffense,
punishablebyupto6yearsinprisonand/orupto$250,000infines .
BeawarethatboththeU .S .NavyandtheU .S .CoastGuardareautho-
rizedtousedeadlyforcetoprotectthemselves .
OPERATE AT MINIMUM SPEED
KEEPOUTKEEP OUT100YARDS
500YARDS
82 83
Commercial Shipping Safety Zones
InadditiontotheNavalVesselProtectionZonerequirements,youmust
alsoavoidoperatingyourvesselnearallmilitaryvessels,cruiseliners,
andcertaincommercialvessels .
Observeandavoidallsecurityzonesandcommercialportoperations .
Areasthathavelargemarinefacilities–includingmilitary,commercial/
cruise,orpetroleumfacilities–shouldbeavoided .Therearealso
restrictionsnearmostdams,powerplants,andotherfacilitieslocated
nearwater .
Bridges and Shipping Channels
Donotstoporanchorbeneathbridgesorinshippingchannels .Ifyou
do,youcanexpecttobeaskedtomoveand/orbeboardedbylaw
enforcementofficials .
America’s Waterway Watch
Ifyouoperateatowboat,marina,recreationalvessel,fishingvessel,or
otherwiselive,work,orengageinrecreationalactivitiesonornearthe
nation’swaterways,theUnitedStatesCoastGuardwouldlikeyourhelp
inkeepingtheseareassafeandsecure .Youcandothisbyparticipat-
inginAmerica’sWaterwayWatch(AWW),anationwideinitiativesimilar
tothewell-knownandsuccessfulNeighborhoodWatchprogramthat
askscommunitymemberstoreportsuspiciousactivitiestolocallaw
enforcementagencies .
Weaskboaterstocall877-24WATCHiftheynoticesuspiciousactivity
orbehavioronornearthewater .Thingstoreportinclude:
• Someonetakingpictures,video,ormakingsketchesoffacilities
likebridges,tunnels,ferrytransportsystems,fueldocks,orpower
plants .
• Someoneaskingquestionsaboutaccesstooneofthesefacilities .
84 III
USCG INFORMATION
United States Coast GuardBoating Safety Division (CG-5422)2100 2nd Street SW, STOP 7581Washington, D.C. 20593-7581(202) 372-1062 www.uscgboating.org
District Recreational Boating Safety Specialists:
First District:Connecticut,Maine,Massachusetts,NewHampshire,NewYork,RhodeIsland,Vermont(617)223-8464
Fifth District:Delaware,Maryland,NewJersey,NorthCarolina,Pennsylvania,Virginia,DistrictofColumbia(757)398-6204
Seventh District:Florida,Georgia,SouthCarolina,PuertoRico,U .S .VirginIslands(305)415-7057
Eighth District:NorthDakota,SouthDakota,Wyoming,Nebraska,Minnesota,Iowa,Illinois,Indiana,Ohio(sharedwithNinthDistrict),Pennsylvania,WestVirginia,Kentucky,Tennessee,Mississippi,Alabama,Georgia,Florida(sharedwithSeventhDistrict)Louisiana,Arkansas,Missouri,Oklahoma,Kansas,NewMexico,Colorado,Texas .(504)671-2157
Ninth District:Michigan,Minnesota,Ohio,Wisconsin(216)902-6094
Eleventh District:Arizona,California,Nevada,Utah(510)437-5364
Thirteenth District:Idaho,Montana,Oregon,Washington(206)220-7257
Fourteenth District:Hawaii,Guam,AmericanSamoa,NorthernMarianas(808)535-3424
Seventeenth District:Alaska(907)463-2297
• Someoneanchoring,fishing,ordivinginanareanottypically
usedforthatactivity .
• Unattendedvesselsinunusuallocations .
• Unusualtransferofpersonnelorcargowhileunderway .
• Seeingaholeinasecurityfencearoundanindustrialfacility .
Do not takemattersintoyourownhands .Call877-24WATCH .In
casesofimmediatedangertolifeorproperty,calltheCoastGuardon
Channel16VHF-FM,ordial911foremergencies .
America’scoasts,rivers,bridges,tunnels,ports,ships,militarybases,
andwatersideindustriesmaybetargetsforterroristactivity .Although
waterwaysecurityisbetterthanever,withmorethan95,000milesof
shorelineandmorethan290,000squaremilesofwater,theU .S .Coast
Guardandlocalfirstresponderscannotdothejobalone .
Tofindouthowyoucanbecomeinvolved,visittheAmerica’sWaterway
Watchwebsiteatwww .americaswaterwaywatch .org .
IV
Formoreinformation,pleasecontact:
TheU .S .CoastGuardthanks
thefollowingpartnersfortheirsupport:
U .S .CoastGuardAuxiliary
www .cgaux .org
UnitedStatesPowerSquadrons®
(888)367-8777
www .usps .org
NationalAssociationof
StateBoatingLawAdministrators
(859)225-9487
www .nasbla .org
NationalSafeBoatingCouncil
(703)361-4294
www .safeboatingcouncil .org
NationalWaterSafetyCongress
(440)209-9805
www .watersafetycongress .org