23
Safety On Board
MAINTAINING YOUR PFD’S
A PFD is only useful if it is well maintained. Always be
aware of PDF age since it has a life expectancy like any
other piece of equipment.
√ Check periodically for broken zippers, frayed webbing,
water soaked kapok bags, missing straps, and sewing that
has become undone.
√ Clean each PFD with mild soap and water only. Again,
let dry sufciently before storing.
√ Keep PFD’s out of grease and oil since they can
deteriorate the jacket inner and outer materials.
√ Check any kapok-bagged jackets by squeezing. If you
hear air escaping the bag is defective and the PFD should
be thrown away.
√ Grab the cover with the ngers. If the cover material
rips, the PFD is rotted and should be thrown away.
√ If the kapok bag is hard the PFD should be
discarded.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fire extinguishers are classied by a letter and numeric
symbol. The letter references the type of re the unit is
designed to extinguish.
For example, type B extinguishers commonly used on boats
are designed to put out ammable liquids such as grease,
oil and gasoline.
The number indicates the general size of the extinguisher
(minimum extinguishing agent weight).
Coast Guard Approved extinguishers are identied by the
following marking on the label:
“Marine Type USCG Approved, Size..., Type...,
162.028/.../”, etc.
MINIMUM PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
REQUIRED
VESSEL NO FIXED WITH FIXED
LENGTH SYSTEM SYSTEM
LESS THAN 26’ 1 B-1 0
26’ TO LESS THAN 40’ 2 B-1 OR 1 B-II 1 B-1
40’ TO 65’ 3 B-1 OR 1 B-1 & 1 B-II 2 B-1
OR 1 B-2
FIRE EXTINGUISHER CONTENTS
CLASS FOAM C02 DRY CHEM HALON
IN GALS. IN LBS. IN LBS. IN LBS.
B-I 1.25 4 2 2.5
B-II 2.5 15 10 10
PFD’S FOR PETS
If you are a skipper who needs to have his pet dog or
cat on board or dock side then a PFD is recommended.
The PFD will aid you in nding the pet if it should fall
overboard. The device must t the pet properly. Also, it
may take a bit of training before the pet is comfortable
wearing the PFD. Normally, dogs are easier to train wearing
a life vest than a cat.
Marine type retail stores will t a pet to a PFD by body
weight.
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