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CHAPTER 1
Another type of liquefi ed gas used today is Halon. This gas is colorless
and odorless, heavier than air and sinks to the lower bilge to extinguish
fi res. Since the year 2000 ingredients for Halon have changed to a more
environmental friendly formula. Halon is used in portable-hand units
along with making up the majority of boat automatic fi re extinguishing
systems. The canister needs to be weighed once a year. Halon units
must feature a dash mount indicator.
Refer to the information regarding fi re prevention in this manual.
VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS
All vessels used on coastal waters, any of the Great Lakes, territorial
seas, and those waters connected directly to them , up to point where
a body of water is less than two miles wide, must have Coast Guard
approved visual distress signals.
Pyrotechnic Devices
Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be Coast Guard approved,
be ready for service and must be readily accessible. They all display
a marking which is the service life, which must not have expired. A
minimum of 3 devices are required for day and 3 devices for night.
Some devices meet both day and night requirements. Pyrotechnic
devices should be stored in a cool, dry location. Most of these devices
can be purchased in an highly visible (orange) watertight container.
Types of Coast Guard approved pyrotechnic distress signals and
associated devices are:
Pyrotechnic red fl ares, hand- held or aerial type.
Pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand-held or fl oating type.
Launchers for parachute fl ares or aerial red meteors.
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