Boating Safety

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BOATING SAFETY BASICS from the U.S. COAST GUARD
AUXILIARY
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FOUR PRINCIPALS OF SAFE BOATING

• 1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVES Always
  Wear Your Life Jacket
• 2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES -
• Take A Boating Course
• SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES -
  Get a Free Vessel Safety Check
• 4. SAFE SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES
  Never Boat Under the
  Influence

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1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVES
IN 2008, TWO THIRDS OF 709 BOATING FATALITIES
DROWNED

510 VICTIMS DROWNED 90 PERCENT WERE NOT WEARING
A LIFE JACKET 459 DEATHS
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2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES
In 2008, 79 percent of boat operators involved in
accidents never completed a safe boating course.

Only 10 percent of the 709 fatalities
occurred on boats whose operators completed a
boating safety course.
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MANDATORY BOATER EDUCATION
BOATER EDUCATION BY STATE
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2008 STATISTICS

• 4789 Accidents
• 709 Deaths
• 3331 Injuries
• 54,000,000 in
• property damage

• TOP FIVE PRIMARY CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
• ? Careless/reckless operation ? Operator
  inattention
• ? Operator inexperience ? No proper
  lookout ? Passenger/skier behavior

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LEARN FROM THE PROS

• A USCG Auxiliary course
• NASBLA approved
• Completion should qualify for a boat insurance
  premium discount

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3. SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES
LETS REVIEW REQUIRED ITEMS
FOR BOATS 16 - 26 SOME REQUIREMENTS INCREASE
FOR LARGER BOATS
BE CONFIDENT YOU ARE SAFE TO LAUNCH AND AVOID A
COTLY CITATION HOW? OBTAIN A FREE,
NO-PENALTY VESSEL SAFETY CHECK WHICH MAY ALSO
QUALIFY YOUR BOAT FOR AN INSURANCE PREMIUM
DISCOUNT
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DISPLAY OF NUMBERS
Spaces or hyphens appear here. Letters/numbers
must be plain, vertical block not less than 3
inches in height.
Validation decal placement within 6 inches
of letters varies by state.
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REGISTRATION
YOUR STATE

• Current valid
• Registration and HIN numbers match what is on
  the hull.
• Description matches the boat and motor.

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HIN NUMBER
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a
unique, 12-digit number assigned by the
manufacturer to vessels built after 1972.
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LIFE JACKETS (PFDs)

• Must be USCG approved.
• One wearable Type I, II, III or V for each
  person aboard.
• Some inflatable life jackets not worn do not
  count.
• In good and serviceable condition.
• Appropriate size for intended use.
• Required to be readily accessible.
• Mandatory for wear by children under 13 in most
  states. Check your states requirement.
• Must be age 16 or older to wear an inflatable.

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GOOD SERVICABLE CONDITION
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RIGHT SIZE FOR INTENDED USE
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READILY ACCESSIBLE
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INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS
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INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS

• Are available as Type II, III or V life
  jackets.
• Type II automatically inflate when the wearer
  enters the water. Can also be manually or orally
  inflated. Have some Type I characteristics.
• Type III and V come in automatic or manually
  inflating models. Can also be orally inflated.
• Some have restrictions, READ THE LABEL!
• Only approved for wear on a boat.
• Require checks and annual maintenance.

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TYPE I OFFSHORE LIFE JACKETS
These vests are geared for rough or remote waters
where rescue may take awhile. They provide
the most buoyancy, are excellent for flotation,
and will turn most unconscious persons face up in
the water.
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TYPE II NEAR SHORE VESTS

• These vests are good for calm waters
• when quick assistance or rescue is likely.
• Type II vests will turn some unconscious
  wearers face up in the water, but the turning is
  not as pronounced as with a Type I.

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TYPE III FLOTATION AIDS

• For calm waters when quick assistance or rescue
  is likely. Not recommended for rough waters.
• Will not turn most unconscious persons face
  up.
• Special Type III life jackets are used for
  water sports such as water-skiing.

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TYPE IV THROWABLE DEVICES

• Must be immediately available
• for use and carried on all boats
  16 and larger.
• Not designed to be worn.
• Throw to someone in trouble.
• Not for rough waters or for persons unable to
  hold on to it.

Throw cushion
Ring buoy
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TYPE V SPECIAL USE DEVICES

• These are hybrid life jackets, and others
  designed for specific activities such as
  kayaking.
• Type V life jackets DO NOT always count against
  vessel carriage requirements if not worn. READ
  THE LABEL!!!

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VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS

• Vessels on the Great Lakes, off-shore and
  designated
• waters must be equipped with approved visual
  distress
• signals in serviceable condition, and readily
  accessible.
• All are required to carry night signals between
• sunset and sunrise. Most must also carry day
  signals.
• A combination of unexpired pyrotechnic and non-
• pyrotechnic visual distress signals are
  authorized.

Night Day Signals RED METEOR RED FLARE
Day Signals ORANGE SMOKE
ORANGE FLAG
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FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• A Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher is
  required on boats where a fire hazard could be
  expected from the motors or the fuel system.
• Look for the part of the label that says
  Marine Type USCG and make sure Type B is
  indicated.
• Recommend all fire extinguishers be mounted and
  immediately accessible in the event of a fire.
• Number required increases for boats 26 and
  over.

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VENTILATION

• All boats which use gasoline for electrical
  generation, mechanical power or propulsion are
  required to be equipped with a ventilation
  system.
• There are natural and powered systems. Type
  of system required depends on the boats
  configuration and age.

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BACKFIRE FLAME CONTROL
All gasoline powered inboard/outboard motor boats
must be equipped with an approved backfire flame
control device.
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SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE
All boats must carry a sound producing device
(whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a
4-second blast audible for ½ mile.
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NAVIGATION LIGHTS

• All boats must be able to display navigation
  lights between sunset and sunrise and in
  conditions of reduced visibility.
• Boats 16 or larger must have properly
  installed, working navigation lights and an
  all-around anchor light capable of being lit
  independently from the red/green/white
  "running" lights.

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LARGER BOATS
Pollution Placard Boats 26 and over with a
machinery compartment must display a "pollution"
placard.
MARPOL Trash Placard Boats 26 and over in
length must display a "MARPOL" trash placard.
Navigation Rules Operators of boats 39.4 or
greater must have a copy of Inland Navigation
Rules.
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MARINE SANITATION DEVICES
Any installed toilet must be a Coast Guard
approved device. Overboard discharge outlets
must be capable of being sealed.
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STATE/LOCAL REQUIREMENTS

• A boat must meet the requirements of the state in
  which it is being examined for a Vessel Safety
  Check decal to be awarded. Some examples are
• Liability insurance
• Placement of state decal
• Towing flag
• Capacity number on side
• Cutoff lanyard (kill switch)
• if required and/or installed
• must be in working order.

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OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION

• Deck Free of Hazards/Clean Bilge The boat must
  be free from fire hazards, in good overall
  condition, with bilges reasonably clean and
  visible hull structure generally sound.
• Use of automobile parts on
  boat engines is not
  acceptable.
• The engine horsepower must
  not exceed that shown on the
  boat capacity plate.

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OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION

• Safe Electrical System
• The electrical system must be protected by
  fuses
• or manual reset circuit breakers.
• Switches and fuse panels must be protected from
• rain or water spray.
• Wiring must be in good condition, properly
  installed
• with no exposed areas or deteriorated
  insulation.
• Batteries must be secured and terminals covered
  to
• prevent accidental arcing.

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OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION
Safe Galley and Heating Systems System and fuel
tanks must be properly secured with no flammable
materials nearby.
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OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION

• Safe Fuel System
• Portable fuel tanks (normally 7 gallon capacity
  or less) must be constructed of non-breakable
  material and free of corrosion and leaks. All
  vents must be capable of being closed. The tank
  must be secured and have a vapor-tight,
  leak-proof cap.
• Each permanent fuel tank must be properly
  ventilated.

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RECOMMENDED ITEMS
Marine Radio Dewatering Device
Anchor Line First Aid Kit
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INLAND WATERS VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS
RECOMMENDED ITEMS

• Recommend a day and night distress signal.
• Number and type depend on operating conditions.
• Alternatives to pyrotechnic devices (flares)
• include
• Night Day Strobe light
• Signal mirror
• Flashlight
• Red or Orange flags
• Lantern
• Hand signals

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OTHER GOOD STUFF TO KNOW

• REPORTING MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE
• Loss of life.
• Injury requiring more than first aid.
• Loss of the boat.
• Boat or property damage more than 2,000
• Reporting time lines

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LETS TALK A MOMENT LONGER

• Have a Float Plan
• Offshore operations are different than inland
• Nautical Charts and navigation aids
• Fuel management
• Weather forecast
• Boating checklist

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HOMELAND SECURITY
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HANDY ITEMS TO HAVE ON-BOARD
Tool kit Spare prop Fuses Paddle Boat
hook Water Sun screen Rain gear
YOUR STATE
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4. SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES
Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in
fatal boating accidents it was listed as the
leading factor in 17 (121) of 2008s fatalities.
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FOUR PRINCIPALS OF SAFE BOATING

• 1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVES Always
  Wear Your Life Jacket
• 2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES -
• Take A Boating Course
• SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES -
  Get a Free Vessel Safety Check
• 4. SAFE SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES
  Never Boat Under the
  Influence

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PREPARED BY
Disclaimer The US Coast Guard and USCG
Auxiliary do not endorse any product or brand
shown in this presentation. We do endorse
responsible boating and ensuring required items
are USCG approved. We appreciate our boating
safety partners permitting use of their
photographs and the National Safe Boating Council
posters.
Questions?