Safety Regulations Required Of Boats
The year was 1979 when the US Congress enacted that the US Coast Guard to improve the safety of recreational boating.
Thus, they created federal regulations regarding what is required of boats.
Sometimes state & local government laws go beyond these regulations.
Let us run through these federal regulations briefly.
All power boats that are running on waterways, including inland, under the control of the federal government is subject to registration or documentation.
These registration numbers must be emblazoned on the boat for like a car's plate number.
The original registration papers (certificate of number) should be placed on the boat when is it being used.
Whether this boat has documentation or not, it must be registered in the state where it is being used or where the boat is moored, that is except in Alaska where it is the coast guard that issues.
The Hull Identification Numbers (HIN) should be present in the starboard side of transom two inches from the top and under a cover or plate.
If the boat has no transom the HIN should be one inch from the stern and one inch from the top.
In majority of cases single hull boats should place the capacity plate of the manufacturer within the visibility of the operator.
Depending on the kind of boat and whether it is an inboard or outboard engine, the said plate will also have the maximum allowable total weight of all people aboard, the maximum horsepower permitted, maximum allowable collective weight of motor, people, & gear.
The boat should have adequate ventilation for the engine compartment.
Navigation lights should be turned on should the boat operate from 6 pm to 6 am.
In the same way, the anchor lights should be on when anchor is being used.
A personal watercraft (PWC) such as a jet ski stand-up or sit-down should carry a fire extinguisher.
A float plan should always be filed and furnished to a trusted person to inform the authorities should you fail to reach the destination specified.
Upon arrival at your destination notify this person immediately.
A personal flotation device (PFD) approved by the coast guard is indicated for each person aboard the boat.
Boats more than sixteen feet should have a PFD that can be tossed to people fallen overboard.
A working horn or whistle that is audible within a radius of a half mile should be on hand.
If the boat is more than thirty feet, attach a whistle to the PFDs, such whistle should work even when wet.
Always carry visual distress signals for emergencies.
Thus, they created federal regulations regarding what is required of boats.
Sometimes state & local government laws go beyond these regulations.
Let us run through these federal regulations briefly.
All power boats that are running on waterways, including inland, under the control of the federal government is subject to registration or documentation.
These registration numbers must be emblazoned on the boat for like a car's plate number.
The original registration papers (certificate of number) should be placed on the boat when is it being used.
Whether this boat has documentation or not, it must be registered in the state where it is being used or where the boat is moored, that is except in Alaska where it is the coast guard that issues.
The Hull Identification Numbers (HIN) should be present in the starboard side of transom two inches from the top and under a cover or plate.
If the boat has no transom the HIN should be one inch from the stern and one inch from the top.
In majority of cases single hull boats should place the capacity plate of the manufacturer within the visibility of the operator.
Depending on the kind of boat and whether it is an inboard or outboard engine, the said plate will also have the maximum allowable total weight of all people aboard, the maximum horsepower permitted, maximum allowable collective weight of motor, people, & gear.
The boat should have adequate ventilation for the engine compartment.
Navigation lights should be turned on should the boat operate from 6 pm to 6 am.
In the same way, the anchor lights should be on when anchor is being used.
A personal watercraft (PWC) such as a jet ski stand-up or sit-down should carry a fire extinguisher.
A float plan should always be filed and furnished to a trusted person to inform the authorities should you fail to reach the destination specified.
Upon arrival at your destination notify this person immediately.
A personal flotation device (PFD) approved by the coast guard is indicated for each person aboard the boat.
Boats more than sixteen feet should have a PFD that can be tossed to people fallen overboard.
A working horn or whistle that is audible within a radius of a half mile should be on hand.
If the boat is more than thirty feet, attach a whistle to the PFDs, such whistle should work even when wet.
Always carry visual distress signals for emergencies.