Boating Safety HONOR, RESPECT, DEVOTION TO DUTY - Meetup

Boating Safety
HONOR, RESPECT, DEVOTION TO DUTY

Boating Safety Regulations
y The United States Coast Guard, has the authority to
  stop any vessel subject to its jurisdiction, in order to
  perform a safety inspection. 14 USC 89a
y The goal of the safety inspection is to determine if the
  vessel has all of the safety equipment it is required by
  the Federal Carriage Requirements.
y What a vessel is required to carry is determined by it’s
  size (length) and purpose (recreational, commercial,
  etc…)

How to Ensure That Your Vessel is in Compliance
with the Federal Carriage Requirements
  y Go online to http://www.uscgboating.org/ for free
    information on boating safety, and a list of the
    carriage requirements for any size vessel or purpose.
  y Contact your local Coast Guard Auxillary Unit to
    arrange for a free inspection of your vessel, with no
    risk of a violation/citation.
  y Go online to http://www.safetyseal.net/ to arrange a
    safety check with either the Coast Guard Auxillary or
    a State Power Squadron Representative.
  y Be boarded by the United States Coast Guard,
    however if you are missing required safety
    equipment during a boarding you may be subject to
    a fine or penalty.

Required Safety Equipment
y Listed below are a few examples of required safety
 equipment. Remember that the quantities and
 specifics of what gear is required on your boat will
 depend on the size of your vessel and its function.
  y Vessel Registration
  y Life Jackets or Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs)
  y Sound producing device
  y Fire extinguishers
  y Visual Distress Signals
  y Various Placards
  y Etc…

State Registered Vessel
y 3” Block letters that are Contrasting to the hull color.
  With an up to date registration sticker.
                      State Registered

Federally Documented Vessel
y 4” Block letters of the name of vessel & hailing port on
  the stern together.
y Official paper documentation has to be onboard.
                   Federally Documented

Federally Documented Vessel
y Documentation number has to be permanently fixed
 to a part of the hull. Clearly visible. Followed by “NO.”

Life Jackets
New Hampshire Law requires all children
under the age of 13 to wear a life jacket at all
times while on a boat that is underway (unless the
vessel is completely enclosed by railings at least three feet high and
constructed such that a small child cannot fall through them).
Facts
Certain life jackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position
which permits proper breathing.

You can survive longer wearing a life jacket because you’re not struggling to stay afloat and you’ll
also remain higher in the water making you easier to see.

Most people can’t get there life jackets on while already in the water.

Requirements
United States Coast Guard approved
In good and serviceable condition
The appropriate size for the intended user.

Types of Life Jackets
  ‐ Type I

             Off‐Shore Life Jacket
             Best for open, rough or remote water,
             where rescue may be slow coming.
             Sizes:
             Two sizes fit most children and adults.
             Advantages:
             • Floats you the best.
             • Turns most unconscious wearers
               face‐up in water.
             • Highly visible color.
             Disadvantages:
             • Bulky, uncomfortable

Types of Life Jackets
  ‐ Type II

         Near‐Shore Buoyant Vest
         Good for calm, inland water, or where
         there is a good chance of fast rescue.
         Sizes:
         Infant, child, youth, and adult.
         Advantages:
         • Less bulky.
         • Turns some unconscious wearers
         face‐up.
         • More comfortable than Type I PFD.
         Disadvantages:
         • Not for long hours in rough water.
         • Will not turn some unconscious
         wearers face‐up.

Types of Life Jackets
                   Flotation Aid
  ‐ Type III       Good for calm, inland water, or where
                   there is a good chance of fast rescue.
                   Sizes:
                   Many sizes from child ‐ small through adult.
                   Advantages:
                   • Generally the most comfortable type.
                   • Designed for activity marked on the device.
                   • Available in many styles vests.
                   Disadvantages:
                   • May have to tilt head back to avoid face‐
                   down.
                   • Wearer's face may be covered by waves.
                   • Not for extended survival in rough water.

Types of Life Jackets
  ‐ Type IV

        Throwable Device
        For calm, inland water with heavy boat
        traffic, where help is always nearby.
        Kinds:
        Rings, Horseshoe Buoys and Cushions.
        Advantages:
        • Can be thrown to someone.
        • Good back‐up to wearable PFDs.
        • Some can be used as a seat cushion.
        Disadvantages:
        • Not for unconscious persons.
        • Not for nonswimmers or children.
        • Not for many hours in rough water.

Types of Life Jackets
  ‐ Type V
       Special Use Devices
       Only for special uses or conditions. Equal to either
       Type I, II, or III performance as noted on the label.
       Varieties include:
       Boardsailing vests, deck suits, work vest, hybrid
       PFDs, & others.
       Advantages:
       • Made for specific activities.
       • Least bulky of all types.
       • High flotation when inflated.
       • Good for continuous wear.
       Disadvantages:
       • May not adequately float some wearers unless
       partially inflated.
       • Requires active use and care of inflation chamber.
       • Required to be worn to be counted as a regulation
       PFD.

Sound Producing Device
y A Sound Producing Device is defined as a device
 capable of sounding a continuous blast for 4 to 6
 seconds.

Fire Extinguisher
y Requirements
  y   Must be marine type
  y   Must be USCG approved
  y   Must be the correct type
  y   Must be in good and serviceable condition
  y   Must have a sufficient charge
  y   Must have a sufficient quantity onboard
  y   (All of the info about the type of extinguisher can be found on the manufacturer’s label)

Visual Distress Signals (VDS)
y Required based on either your vessel’s purpose, or the body
    of water you are located in.
y   There are many different types of VDS, however, specific
    combinations/quantities are required, based upon the type
    of VDS you choose to carry.
y   The simplest combination is 3 Day/Night Flares.
y   Remember, flares expire!!!
y   Always check the expiration date on your flares before your
    get underway, and in the store before you buy new ones.

Various Placards
y Depending on the type and size of your vessel, you
 may be required to post various different kinds of
 placards, somewhere on your vessel.

    Oil Pollution Placard            Garbage Placard

MARINE SANITATION DEVICES
y All vessels with a toilet onboard must be CG certified.
y Vessels with in 3NM from the base line must have
 there “Y” valve shut/locked.

y Type I ‐ Treats sewage chemically
y Type II – Treats sewage biologically
y Type III ‐ Circulated, incinerated, macerates, or have a
 holding tank onboard.

Additional Requirements
y While there are some additional requirements, they
  are specific to each vessel based upon the vessel’s size
  and purpose.
y Remember you can find the requirements for your
  specific vessel in the Federal Carriage Requirements.
y If you have any questions feel free to contact any
  United States Coast Guard Unit, any United States
  Auxillary Unit, your local Power Squadron, or State
  Boating Unit representative.

BUI ENFORCEMENT
y 46 USC 2302(c)
y Legal limit for a recreational vessel is a BAC of .08 or
  more & for a commercial vessel a BAC of .04 or more.
OR
y Behavioral Standards(ie., stumbling, slurred speech,
  blood shot eyes, incoherent in normal actions in a field
  sobriety test(FST’s)).

BUI ENFORCEMENT
y Solution ‐ have another crewmember
 drive and/or navigate who hasn’t been
 drinking.

y Civil penalty of not more than $5000.

NEGLIGENT OPERATIONS
y “The failure to exercise that degree of care which a
  reasonable person, under like circumstances, would
  demonstrate in order to prevent the endangering of
  life, limb, or property of a person(s).”

y It’s a $5000 civil penalty.

NEGLIGENT OPERATIONS
EXAMPLES:
y Wake in a no wake zone.
y Bow‐Riding.
y Operating too close to swimmers in the water.
y Dangerous water skiing practices.
y Excessive speed in a regulated areas.

Gross Negligent Operations
y “Gross negligence is an absence of all care, it implies
  extreme negligence.”

y The operator of a boat knows a certain act can
  create an unreasonable risk of harm, even though
  he does not necessarily intend to cause harm.

y Civil penalty of not more than $5000.

United States Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor
                         &
              United State Coast Guard
       Marine Safety Detachment Portsmouth

      Mailing Address – P.O. Box 600
                        New Castle, NH 03854

      Physical Address – 25 Wentworth Road
                         New Castle, NH 03854

      Phone # ‐ (603) 433‐7324 x 200

Most Important Boating Rules

   BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN!!!