SECTION : BOATING SAFETY
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within 10 days. If any of these events occur, seek further assistance from
local law enforcement personnel.
Rendering Assistance
If you see a distress signal or suspect a boat is in trouble, you must
assume it is a real emergency and render assistance immediately. By law,
the operator in charge of the craft is obligated to provide assistance to any
individual in danger if such assistance can be provided safely. Failure to
render assistance can result in a fine and/or imprisonment.
The 1971 Boating Safety Act grants protection to a “Good Samaritan”
boater providing good faith assistance, and absolves a boater from any civil
liability arising from such assistance.
Factory Provided Safety Equipment
The Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 (FBSA/71) and the National Recreation
Boating Safety Program have established minimum safety standards for
boats and associated equipment, specified by the USCG. In addition, the
ABYC and the NMMA work with boat builders to develop voluntary standards
that exceed base requirements. The included safety equipment on your boat
meets or exceeds the standards of the USCG, ABYC and the NMMA. Some
required safety equipment such as life jackets (PFDs) are not included with
your boat. Your dealer can help you choose the appropriate equipment.
NOTICE
Many states’ equipment requirements go beyond USCG requirements.
Contact your state boating office for further information.
Equipment requirements for coastal and inland waters differ. Check with
local authorities and/or the USCG for further information about coastal
water requirements. The following equipment may or may not be required by
federal/local regulations.
Owner Provided Safety Equipment
U.S. Coast Guard regulations require certain accessory equipment on
each boat. For a detailed description, obtain “Federal Requirements
for Recreational Boats” published by the Coast Guard. 1) Personal
Flotation Devices (PFDs): PFDs must be Coast Guard approved, in good
and serviceable condition and the appropriate size for the user. It is
recommended that you wear PFDs while your boat is underway. Boats more
than 16 feet 9 (4.8 meters) in length must be equipped with one type I,
II, III or V and one type IV. PFDs are intended to save lives; you and your
passengers should wear them while in the boat. Learn how to use them
and adjust as necessary to make comfortable to wear. The type II PFD is
recommended for near shore or inland water use. Some PFDs are specially
made for use while waterskiing or wakeboarding and are not U.S.C.G.
approved. Please check local law with respect to their use.
Life Saving Equipment
Federal law requires at least one Type I, II, III,or V Personal Flotation Device
(PFD), of the proper size, for each person on board or being towed, and at
least one Type IV throwable PFD in the boat. There are four types of PFDs to
wear and one type used for throwing in emergency situations.
TYPE I
LIFE PRESERVERS
TYPE II
BUOYANT VESTS
TYPE III
FLOTATION AIDS
TYPE IV
THROWABLE
DEVICES
TYPE V
HYBRID PFD
MUST BE WORN
WHEN UNDERWAY
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