Table 2.1. Minimum Required Safety Equipment
2-17 2-17
Safety Equipment
In the United States the operator of a vessel is responsible for the minimum safety equipment required
by the U.S. Coast Guard. Safety equipment should be maintained on a regular basis and must be
stowed where it is accessible in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency. Some safety equipment
must be Coast Guard approved. “Coast Guard Approved Equipment” has been determined to be in com-
pliance with USCG specifications and regulations relating to performance, construction or materials.
As the owner/operator, you should always check the safety procedures and/or requirements for the
country of registration as regulations and responsibilities may changed from country to country.
A complete list of required equipment, Federal rules and regulations and other valuable links can be
found on the United States Coast Guard Boating Safety web page: www.uscgboating.org
A Quick Reference Chart of the Federal Requirements for recreational boats can be found at:
http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/equ_refchart.htm
Read and understand all pamphlets and brochures supplied with safety equipment. Become familiar with
how the equipment operates and stow all safety equipment properly.
At a minimum you should have the following safety equipment available
(Table 2-1):
Table courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard
16 -25 26-39
* *
a) One type I,II,III or V wearable PFD for each person on board.
(USCG approved)
* *
b) In addition to paragraph (a), must carry one Type IV (throwable) PFD
a) One electric distress light or three combination (day / night) red flares.
(NOTE: only required to be carried on board when operating between sunset
and sunrise).
* *
b) One orange distress flag and one electric distress light - or - three hand held
or floating orange smoke signals and one electric distress light - or - three
combination (day / night) red flares: hand held, meteor or parachute type.
(a) One B-I (When enclosed compartment).
(c) One B-II and one B-I (NOTE: Fixed system equals one B-I or two B-II).
* *
Backfire Flame Arrestor
Required on all gasoline engines except outboard motors.
(b) One B-II or two B-I (NOTE: Fixed system equals one B-I).
* *
Navigation Lights
Required to be displayed from sunset to sunrise and in or near areas of reduced
visibility.
Vessel Length (Feet)
Requirement
Visual Distress Signal
(VDS)
Equipment
Life Jackets (PFD’S)
Fire Extinguishers
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Safety And Operations
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