Both the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have a required list of safety equipment that must be present on all vessels when anchored or underway. As stated in Chapman’s Piloting these requirements are the minimum safety equipment and the prudent captain will have back up for many of these. What equipment required varies on vessel size and type. Below is a list of these items but some may require more clarification. To read all details you can find safety equipment requirements on the following sites:
http://myfwc.com/boating/regulations
www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/workflow_staging/Publications/420.PDF
Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) – life jackets
PFD’s are required by all aboard motorized and non-motorized vessels. The type of PFD depends on the size of the vessel and the activity the boater is participating in. There are some general rules:
ALL PFD’s must be within easy reach of all boaters and should be correct size for each person
PFD’s must be worn by boaters on Personal Watercraft, skiers, and sailboarders
ALL vessels greater than 16’ are required to have 1 Type IV PFD (throw-able) for man-overboard
ALL children under the age of 6 must WEAR their PFD while the boat is underway
Inflatable PFD’s can be used for boaters older than 15 years and they must be in good condition
Type I designed for offshore; will flip unconscious boaters into vertical position
Type II designed for near shore waters; will flip unconscious boater
Type III designed for inland waters; will NOT flip unconscious boater
Type IV designed to be thrown to boater overboard
Visual Distress Signals (VDS)
Day only – orange flag
Night only – electric light that sends SOS
Day/Night – flares
Vessel Classifications
Class A less than 16 ft. Class 2 26 – 39.9 ft.
Class 1 16 – 25.9 ft. Class 3 40 – 65 ft.
| Class |
A |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| PFD | I, II, or III | I, II, or III, and IV | I, II, or III, and IV | I, II, or III and IV
|
| Fire Extinguisher | Required if enclosed compartment that could hold fume | B-I required if enclosed compartment that could hold fume | 2 B-I or
1 B-I and 1 B-II |
3 B-I and
B-II |
| Visual Distress Signal | Night only
Only in coastal waters1 |
Day and night required in coastal waters | Day and night required | Day and night required |
| Sound Device | Whistle, horn, or bell | Whistle, horn, or bell | Whistle, horn, or bell | Whistle, horn, or bell |
| Backfire Flame Control | Required if engine or fuel is in enclosed compartment | Required if engine or fuel is in enclosed compartment | Required if engine or fuel is in enclosed compartment | Required if engine or fuel is in enclosed compartment |
| Ventilation
Specifications vary with age2 |
For enclosed engines or fuel | For enclosed engines or fuel | For enclosed engines or fuel | For enclosed engines or fuel |
1 Coastal Waters – waters whose shores are 2 miles across
2 Ventilation – differs for vessels built before and after Aug 1, 1980 – see myfwc.com website above
| Navigation Lights | |
| Motor boat 40-160’ | Port (red / left) and Starboard (green / right) each side of bow
Stern (white) Masthead (white) |
| Motor boat < 40’ | Port / Starboard can be one or two units
Stern |
| Sailboat 23-66’
Sailboats motoring = motor boat |
Port / Starboard can be one or two units
Stern or mast (can be white or red/green) |
| Sailboat < 23’ | White flashlight shining upwards or on sail
|
| Powered by paddles | White flashlight shining upwards
|
| At Anchor | Masthead (white)
|
Recommended Safety Equipment
An anchor and sufficient amount of anchor line (rode)
Manuel or electric bilge pump – or some form to bail water
Paddle
If you have questions or need clarification you can contact Rick O’Connor at roc1@ufl.edu
475-5230.
0
