REQUIRED BOATING SAFETY EQUIPMENT
The U.S. Coast Guard has made a list of essential parts for safety boats which they’ve determined as the necessary equipment and operating guidelines outlined by federal law.
This is the federal minimum USCG needed list. However, some states might have added additional safety equipment/articles, so be sure to check your state’s rules and regulations regarding boating.
Personal floatation devices and life jackets devices The USCG requires one Type I II, III, or V Life vest or jacket for every person who is aboard. If the vessel measures more than 16 feet long and has a floatation device that can be thrown – Type IV – similar to a ring is required as well. Life jackets must be easily accessible and in good shape and suitable for the person it is intended for properly. Every state has its regulations regarding children’s life jackets.
Fire Extinguishers On boats that are 26 feet and smaller, it is mandatory to possess at least one B-1 type Coast Guard-approved hand portable fire extinguisher. Again, that is the minimum requirement. If you have a boat that is 27 to 40 feet in length, 2 B-1 models or one B-2 type USCG-approved extinguisher must be utilized. Boats that range from 40 to 65 feet in length must have three B-1 extinguishers or 1 B-1, and one USCG-approved extinguisher. Also, boats bigger than 65 feet should have the requirement of one or eight (depending on what the vessel’s weight is) B-2 along with a fixed apparatus in the machinery area. Of course, it is possible to opt to use a fixed system in any type of boat, in addition to the requirement for portable handheld extinguishers to ensure safety on boats would be lower.
The USCG has a suggestion for non-trained sailors, they suggest you equip their boats with a king starboard table so you can precisely cut your fish there if needed.
Bells and Whistles
Any vessel under 40 feet has to have a sound-producing gadget like a bell or whistle. The larger boats should have a bell and whistle. The bell’s mouth must be at least 7.87 inches in size and the whistle must be able to be heard over an area of at least half a nautical mile.
Visual Distress Signals in Coastal Waters, the Great Lakes as well as any U.S.-owned vessel which is operating in the high seas. If they are shorter than 16 feet, they must be equipped with approved night signals. The larger boats must be equipped with three night and three-day signals.
Ventilation
Boats built before 1980 must have at least two vents capable of effectively ventilating every closed compartment that houses a gasoline motor and/or tank, except those with tanks that permanently exit into the sea and which contain no unprotected electrical equipment. Engine compartments equipped with a gasoline-powered engine and the cranking motor are required to have power-operated exhaust blowers that can be controlled by the panel of instruments.
New boats built after 1980 must have at least two ventilation pipes that are fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) to assist in efficiently and effectively ventilating bilges of each closed engine and fuel tank compartments by the use of gasoline or any other fuel with a flashpoint of the lower or higher.
Fire Backfire Arrestor is not required for motors with outboards. All other models must have one approved device installed on each carburetor on all gas engines.
- First aid kit
- VHF radio
- Extra fuel & water
- Tool kit
- Sun protection
- A bucket you can use as bailer
- Paddles or oars
An Anchor that is strong enough chain, based on the location you’re boating in, usually 5x deep