Know what is required for your boat.

(“Your life could depend on it!” )

Before you set out for that boating adventure make sure you've got everything the law requires. Boaters Marine Supply believes that boating safety is first and foremost. As they say "ignorance of the law is no excuse." Knowing and having what is required can prevent the best of days from becoming the worst in your life.

Take five minutes and check out the following Boating Basics.

In 1971 the Congress of the United States ordered the U.S. Coast Guard to improve recreational boating safety. In response the U.S Coast Guard created specific federal regulations governing requirements for boats and what is to be on them. In the years that followed state and local governments created regulations (which sometimes exceed the federal regulations).

The following is a summary of what is required for your boat:

Power boats on federal jurisdiction waterways as well as inland waterways must be registered or documented.
Registration numbers and decals must be displayed on your boat correctly.
Your original registration (certificate of number) must be on-board when in operation.

Note: A recreational vessel of five or more net tons may be documented as a yacht. In this case the U.S. Coast Guard isues papers similar to large ships.

Whether or not your boat is documented, registration in the state of principal use is required (except Alaska where U.S Coast Guard issues). If the boat is used on the ocean, a gulf, or similar water, register it in the state where you moor it.
Your boat should have the manufacturers HIN (Hull Identification Numbers) displayed in two locations (starboard side of transom 2" from top and under a cover or plate). Boats without a transom must have it on the starboard side 1' from stern 1" from the top.
In most cases mono hull boats should have a manufacturer capacity plate installed in plain sight of the operator. Depending on the type of boat and engine type (outboard vs. inboard) the plate will contain Max permitted horsepower, allowable max. weight of people onboard, allowable max. combined weights of people, motors, and gear.
Your boat is required to have the proper engine compartment ventilation.
Navigation lights are required during operation from dusk to dawn. Note: anchor lights are always required when anchored.
Remember a PWC (Personal Water Craft) jet-ski or waverunner, in most cases, must carry an approved fire extinguisher.
Always file a float plan and give it to someone you trust to notify the authorities if you don't arrive at your destination as specified. Of course you don't want to forget to contact the person you gave the float plan to...otherwise you know what will happen.

For more details see: US Coast Guard Auxiliary publication "Boating Skills and Seamanship 1998" or Boaters Marine Supply recommends taking the "Boating Skills and Seamanship" courses offered by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or US Power Squadron in your area.

The following is a summary of what is required on your boat.

A PFD (Personal Flotation Device) is required for every person onboard the boat. The PFDs must be U.S. Coast Guard approved (labeled as such). In many states, the law says you must wear your PFD when underway or when on a PWC (Personal Water Craft) or water skiing, tubing, etc.
Boats over 16 feet must have a throwable PFD (Personal Floatation Device) onboard, and immediately available, in case someone falls overboard.
Every boat needs a working whistle or horn that can be heard at least ½ mile away. Boats over 30 feet have additional requirements. You can attach a whistle to your PFD so that you always have a sound producing device within reach. Make sure it is a whistle that works when it gets wet.
Visual Distress Signals should be carried on all boats operating on coastal waters (the ocean or waters that lead to the ocean), the Great Lakes and waters connected to them up to a point where the body of water is less than 2 miles wide. We recommend every boat carry visual distress signals.

There are day signals and night signals. If you operate at night, you are required to carry night signals. Motor boats less than 16 feet and manually propelled boats are not required to carry signals if they only operate during daylight hours.

Pyrotechnic distress signals, like flares, are a great signal device but are very dangerous and should only be used if your trained on how to properly use them. Don't ever shoot them off for fun.

A U.S. Coast Guard approved, marine-type, Class B, fire extinguisher must be carried onboard power boats where it can be quickly and easily accessed. Additional requirements exist for large vessels. Extinguishers are not required on boats that don't have motors.