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If you are planning on owning a boat or even just going out on the waterways in the United States and its territories it is important to know what the rules are. The Coast Guard and local authorities patrol the waterways and can check that you have the right safety equipment by boarding your vessel. Most importantly, it is always a good idea to have the correct safety equipment so you are prepared in an emergency.
The US Coast Guard has made it easy to find these rules, regulations and safety tips with their new app. You can download the app for your apple or android device at the following links:
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id989994255
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coastguard
Simple safety equipment you should have:
Lifevest
You must have a life vest on the boat for each person. It is always nice to have one you know is comfortable so bringing your own is a good idea. If you plan to go on a boat with children, there is a chance that the boat owner will not have a life vest that fits your child so making sure they have their own that fits is critical.
In the United States your life vest must be USCG (US Coast Guard) approved and fit properly on all of the people aboard. There are a few types of approved personal flotation devices (PFDs):
These types will be changing in the near future. Life vests will be rated for the amount of floatation they have instead using Newtons.
Necessary equipment is defined by the length of your boat. The categories are as follows:
We are going to cover the items that may not come with your new or new to you boat from the factory such as navigation lights, pollutant placards, ventilation and so on. The items listed below are the absolute minimum to be compliant with the US Coast Guard regulations.
Life Jackets
One (1) USCG Approved Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V PFDs per person on board. A few of our favorites to meet this requirement:
Throwable Devices
One (1) USCG Approved Type IV throwable on board. The Taylor Made Foam Ring Buoys (they come in sizes 20", 24" and 30" along with parts to mount them), horseshoes or throwable cushions are great options to meet this USCG requirement.
Fire Extinguishers
If the boat has any closed compartments one (1) B-1 fire extinguisher is required.
Visual Distress Devices**
With wide adaptation of LED technology, electronic flares / electric SOS signal lights are an easy and reasonable alternative to traditional flares. The USCG approved ACR ResQFlare Electronic Flare is a great example and comes with the orange distress flag. To be USCG compliant you must have an orange distress flag for daytime signaling and the LED signal must be USCG approved. These are safer as there is no fire and will signal longer than traditional flares.
Pyrotechnic Flares - three day / night flares. Traditional flares have an expiration date and require special hazardous shipping making the modern LED Signal lights more practical.
**Flares only need to be carried while operating between sunset and sunrise.
Sound Producing Devices
A horn or whistle is required. Human voice is not acceptable. We recommend these portable sound producing devices:
Navigational Lights
With smaller boats navigation lights may not be installed from the factory, however, navigation lights are always required if navigating in the dark. Here are some brands with compliant, compact and light solutions for your smaller vessel:
Quick notes: The difference from the Dinghy / Canoe is one B-1 Extinguisher is required and 3 day and night flares or combination day/night flares or electric flare with day signal orange flag required all hours operating.
Life Jackets
One (1) USCG Approved Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V PFDs per person on board. A few of our favorites to meet this requirement:
Throwable Devices
One (1) USCG Approved Type IV throwable on board. The Taylor Made Foam Ring Buoys (they come in sizes 20", 24" and 30" along with parts to mount them), horseshoes or throwable cushions are great options to meet this USCG requirement.
Fire Extinguishers
One (1) B-1 fire extinguisher is required.
Visual Distress Devices
With wide adaptation of LED technology, electronic flares / electric SOS signal lights are an easy and reasonable alternative to traditional flares. The USCG approved ACR ResQFlare Electronic Flare is a great example and comes with the orange distress flag. To be USCG compliant you must have an orange distress flag for daytime signaling and the LED signal must be USCG approved. These are safer as there is no fire and will signal longer than traditional flares.
Pyrotechnic Flares - three (3) day use and three (3) night use or three day / night combination flares. Traditional flares have an expiration date and require special hazardous shipping making the modern LED Signal lights more practical.
Sound Producing Devices
A horn or whistle is required. Human voice is not acceptable. We recommend these portable sound producing devices:
Navigational Lights
With smaller boats navigation lights may not be installed from the factory, however, navigation lights are always required if navigating in the dark. Here are some brands with compliant, compact and light solutions for your smaller vessel:
Quick notes: The difference from the Small Vessel is one B-II Extinguisher or two B-1 Extinguishers are required.
Life Jackets
One (1) USCG Approved Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V PFDs per person on board. A few of our favorites to meet this requirement:
Throwable Devices
One (1) USCG Approved Type IV throwable on board. The Taylor Made Foam Ring Buoys (they come in sizes 20", 24" and 30" along with parts to mount them), horseshoes or throwable cushions are great options to meet this USCG requirement.
Fire Extinguishers
One (1) B-II or two (2) B-1 extinguishers are required by the US Coast Guard. Check your extinguishers regularly as they can leak or fail over time.
Visual Distress Devices
With wide adaptation of LED technology, electronic flares / electric SOS signal lights are an easy and reasonable alternative to traditional flares. The USCG approved ACR ResQFlare Electronic Flare is a great example and comes with the orange distress flag. To be USCG compliant you must have an orange distress flag for daytime signaling and the LED signal must be USCG approved. These are safer as there is no fire and will signal longer than traditional flares.
Pyrotechnic Flares - three (3) day use and three (3) night use or three day / night combination flares. Traditional flares have an expiration date and require special hazardous shipping making the modern LED Signal lights more practical.
Sound Producing Devices
A horn or whistle is suitable for medium vessels. Human voice is not considered suitable. You may choose an electric or manual horn, both of which come in the portable and built-in variety. We recommend these portable sound producing devices:
Quick notes: The difference from the Medium Vessel is one B-II and B-1 Extinguisher or three B-1 Extinguishers are required as well as a sound producing device that is able to make a sound audible for a 1/2 mile for 4 to 6 seconds in duration.
Life Jackets
One (1) USCG Approved Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V PFDs per person on board. A few of our favorites to meet this requirement:
Throwable Devices
One (1) USCG approved Type IV throwable on board. The Taylor Made Foam Ring Buoys (they come in sizes 20", 24" and 30" along with parts to mount them), horseshoes or throwable cushions are great options to meet this USCG requirement.
Fire Extinguishers
One B-II and one B-1 extinguisher or three B-1 extinguishers. Check your extinguishers regularly as they can leak or fail over time.
Visual Distress Devices
With wide adaptation of LED technology, electronic flares / electric SOS signal lights are an easy and reasonable alternative to traditional flares. The USCG approved ACR ResQFlare Electronic Flare is a great example and comes with the orange distress flag. To be USCG compliant you must have an orange distress flag for daytime signaling and the LED signal must be USCG approved. These are safer as there is no fire and will signal longer than traditional flares.
Pyrotechnic Flares - three (3) day use and three (3) night use or three day / night combination flares. Traditional flares have an expiration date and require special hazardous shipping making the modern LED Signal lights more practical.
Sound Producing Devices
A horn or whistle is suitable, but must be able to produce an efficient sound signal audible for 1/2 mile with a 4 to 6 second duration. Human Voice is not considered suitable
A horn or whistle that is able to produce an efficient sound signal audible for 1/2 mile with a 4 to 6 second duration is necessary. Human voice is not considered suitable. You may choose an electric or manual horn, both of which come in the portable and built-in variety. We recommend these portable sound producing devices:
For a variety of items to help you meet USCG requirements see our New Boat Starter Kits collection, where we prepared kits that are perfect for small, medium and large boats as defined by the US Coast Guard.
Happy and safe sailing!
****The above is a simple outline and guideline, pleaser refer directly to the US Coast Guard app or website to ensure you are compliant before going out on the water.
Header image source: http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=259982 Creator: PA2 Nathan Henise
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