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• Before departing, inform a friend or relative of the intended cruising area and the intended return time. If delays occur, the
person can contact the U.S. Coast Guard. Remember to inform the friend or relative of your return to prevent false alarms.
Never le a oat plan with the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard does not have the manpower to monitor all yachts.
• Stow all loose gear securely. Stow fenders and dock lines immediately after getting underway.
requIred safety equIPment
NOTE: This section applies to U.S. regulations only.
Federal law requires yacht owners to provide and maintain safety equipment onboard. Consult the U.S. Coast Guard, state,
and local regulations to ensure that all the required safety equipment is onboard. It is the owner’s responsibility to learn
about additional recommended equipment before operating the yacht.
LIFE JACKETS
• A minimum of one life jacket is required for each person onboard. The life jacket must be U.S. Coast Guard–approved
wearable (Type I, II or III).
• The life jackets must be readily accessible and in serviceable condition.
• The life jackets must be of a suitable size for each person onboard.
• A minimum of three life jackets (two wearable and one throwable) are required regardless of the number of persons onboard.
TYPE I, WEARABLE
• Type I is the most effective life preserver for all waters when rescue may be delayed.
• Type I is designed to turn most unconscious or drowning people from a face-down position to a vertical or face-up position.
TYPE II, WEARABLE
• Type II is a near-shore buoyant vest. Type II is intended for calm inland waters when a quick rescue is anticipated.
• Type II turns the person to a face-up position, but the turning action is not as evident as in the Type I. Type II will not typically
turn people over in the same manner as Type I.
TYPE III, WEARABLE
• Type III is classied as a otation aid. However, the device will not turn a victim to a face-up position.
• Type III is frequently used in water sports and should be avoided in personal yachting.
TYPE IV, THROWABLE
• At least one throwable Type IV life jacket is required to be onboard at all times.
• Type IV life jackets do not strap to the user.
• Type IV jackets must be thrown to a person in the water and held by the user until rescued.
• The most common Type IV life jackets are buoyant cushions or ring buoys.
• Type IV life jackets must be in serviceable condition and immediately available for use.
VISUAL DISTRESS SIGN
Visual distress signal (VDS) equipment is required by the U.S. Coast Guard for all yachts operating on U.S. coastal
waters. Yachts owned in the United States and operating on the high seas must also carry VDS equipment. The visual
distress equipment signal must be readily accessible and in serviceable condition. Both pyrotechnic and non-pyrotechnic
equipment must be U.S. Coast Guard–approved. Both types of distress signal equipment can become ineffective with age.
Replace the equipment before taking the yacht out if the equipment’s usage date has expired.
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