The U.S. Coast Guard has created a list of the required safety equipment for boating, which they’ve determined to be the minimum standards for operating equipment and equipment as required by federal law.
This list is the minimum federal USCG required list. However, some states might have added other safety equipment or other items, so be sure to review your state’s law and requirements for boating.
Life Jackets and personal flotation devices The USCG requires an approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket or vest for each person aboard. If the vessel has a length of 16 feet or more in length, a throwable floatation device , such as Type IV – similar to rings are required as well. Life jackets must be easily accessible, in good working condition and fit the person intended to be worn. Each state has their own laws regarding children’s safety jackets.
Every part of the equipment that is mentioned in this article can be found in Boston whaler parts shop, we assure you that they only have the top quality stuff.
Fire Extinguishers
– For boats of 26 feet and less, you must have at the very least one B-1 type Coast Guard-approved hand-held fire extinguisher. It is, in fact, the minimum. Boats from 26 to 40 feet and two B-1 type or one type B-2 USCG approved extinguishers are required. Boats with 40 to 65 feet in length should contain three B-1 extinguishers. one B-1 and one B-2 USCG approved fire extinguisher. And boats over 65 feet require the use of one or eight (depending on what the vessel’s weight is) B-2 along with a fixed system within the machinery space. Of course, you may choose to use a fixed-system in any size boat and the requirements for handheld portable extinguishers for boating safety would be smaller.
Bells and Whistles
– All boats below 40 feet has to have an effective sound-producing device such as a horn or whistle. Boats over 40 feet must have a whistle and bell. The bell’s mouth should be at minimum 7.87 inches in size and the whistle must be able to be heard by at least 1/2 nautical mile.
Visual Distress Signals on Coastal Waters, the Great Lakes as well as any U.S. owned vessels that are on the high seas, if less than 16 feet long, they must carry three approved night signals. The larger boats must have three day and three night signals installed onboard.
Ventilation
–Boats built prior to 1980 must have at minimum two ventilation ducts which are capable of ventilating all closed areas that contains a gasoline engine or tank, other than those having permanently installed tanks which are vented outside the boat and are not protected by electrical equipment. Engine compartments that house an engine that is gasoline and a cranking motor must have exhaust fans that are powered and controlled by the instrument panel.
After 1980, boats must have at minimum two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls (or their equivalent) for the purpose of efficiently and properly ventilating the vents of each closed fuel tank and engine compartment that uses gasoline as fuel or other types of fuels that have a flashpoint of degree or lower.
Backfire Flame Arrestor – Not required for outboard motors. The rest of the motors are required to include one approved device on every carburetor for 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 with enough chain the location you’re boating in, usually 5x depth