2–20 Chris-Craft
Safety and Operations
Boating Regulations and Requirements
In the United States, Federal law mandates that as the owner/operator you have a responsibility to yourself
and your passengers to always operate your vessel in a safe manner. As the owner/operator, you should
always check the regulatory procedures and/or requirements for the country of registration as regulations
and responsibilities may changed from country to country.
As the owner/operator, you are responsible for any documentation or registration required. All undocu-
mented vessels equipped with propulsion machinery must be registered in the State or country of principal
use. A certificate of number is issued upon registering the vessel. These numbers must be displayed on
your vessel. The owner/operator of a vessel must carry a valid certificate whenever the vessel is in use. In
the United States if the vessel is moved to a new State of principal use, the certificate is valid for 60 days.
Some states require all vessels to be numbered. Requirements in other countries may vary.
Some vessels may be documented. The certificate of documentation MUST be on board a documented
vessel at all times.
In the United States further questions may be directed to the United States Coast Guard Boating Safety
Hotline.
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Hotline
The U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Hotline is 800-368-5647.
Call Toll-Free for information regarding:
• Information on boating safety recalls.
• To comment on U.S.C.G. boarding procedures.
• For answers to boating safety questions.
• For boating safety literature.
Supplemental Federal, State or Local Regulations
It is the owner/operator’s responsibility to be aware of any other Federal, State or local regulations that
may be in effect. Examples include, but are not limited to:
Discharge of Oil
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste into or
upon the navigable waters of the United States or the waters of the contiguous zone if
such discharge causes a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of the water or
causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are subject to a
penalty of $5000.
Solid Waste Disposal
(Marpol Treaty)
The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships places limitations on the discharge of garbage
from vessels. It is illegal to dump plastic trash anywhere in the ocean or navigable waters
of the United States, including the Great Lakes. The discharge of other types of garbage is
permitted outside of specific distance offshore as determined by the nature of that
garbage. See Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats for more
detail.
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