U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Reno Flotilla 11-03

Boating Equipment

The Coast Guard requires certain items for your boat.  This, however, is not an all inclusive list. For example, the required items do not include an anchor even though this is a piece of safety gear that no boat should be without.  No equipment will substitute for good judgment.  This boater captained the "Temporary Insanity" which is an apt name for this boat if there ever was one! It is clear that the captain failed to maintain an adequate watch and collided with this day mark pole sinking his boat. Even an alternate dewatering device would not have saved this boat.

Be sure to check with the Coast Guard and your State boating regulations for the most current equipment requirements.  Specific requirements vary dependent on factors such as length of vessel, construction type, and type of power.

Generally required equipment for your boat:

• Correct Display of Numbers - these must be at least 3" inch block style letters and numbers and in a contrasting color to the boat hull.  Black letters are recommended.
• State Registration or Federal Documentation - the Nevada Department of Wildlife registration must be on the vessel.  If it is a Federally documented vessel this documentation must be on the vessel.
• Personal Flotation Devices - there must be on each vessel one life jacket for each person on board.  The life jacket must fit the person wearing it.  For example, if there are children on board, they must be wearing a life jacket suitable for a child.  In Nevada, children 12 and under must be wearing the life jacket.  If inflatable type life jackets are onboard, they must be worn to count as a life jacket available for use!
• Visual Distress Signals - Boats that are 16 feet or longer are required to carry visual distress signals.  Three flares will meet the requirements for visual distress signals.  They must be in date.  Most flares expire 42 months after their date of manufacture.
• Fire Extinguishers - Many boats are required to carry fire extinguishers.  Although recommended, it is not required that they be mounted. Boats with inboard engines, boats with enclosed compartments where flammable substances are stored, boats with closed living spaces and boats 26 feet or longer with outboard motors are all required to carry fire extinguishers.  These must be Coast Guard Approved.  Boats under 26 feet in length must carry at least one B1 extinguisher unless they have a fixed halon type of system installed.
• Ventilation - Vessels that contain an engine and fuel tank in an enclosed compartment must have a powered ventilation system.  This ventilator should be operated before starting the engine.
• Backfire Flame Control - All boats constructed after April 25, 1940 that operate with a gasoline engine must have a backfire flame control device.  This is usually installed above the carburetor in boats so equipped, while fuel injected engines must have this control installed above the air intake.
• Sound Producing Device - Nevada differs from Federal law in that all vessels 26 feet or longer must have a horn and a bell.  Federal law only requires this in vessels over 39.4 feet.  Vessels operated in Nevada that are under 26 feet in length must have some efficient sound producing device.  An athletic whistle would be acceptable.
• Navigation Lights - Boats longer than 16 feet must have navigation lights installed and in working order.  The number and type vary with the size of vessel and its construction.
• Pollution Placard - Vessels larger than 26 feet must display a pollution placard.
• MARPOL Trash Placard - The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships requires boats longer than 26 feet to display this placard which indicates what materials may be thrown overboard.  It is illegal to throw overboard any plastic type of material in the ocean or waters of the United States.
• Marine Sanitation Devices - All recreational vessels with installed toilet facilities must have an operable marine sanitation device on board. Direct discharge toilets are illegal.
• Navigation Rules - Vessels 39.4 feet or longer must carry a copy on board of the Navigation Rules.  These are available at many bookstores.
• Specific State Requirements - The state of Nevada differs in some respects from Federal Law. Check our Nevada Boating Laws page for further information.
• Overall Vessel Condition - The boat must be in good overall condition.  The bilge area must be clean, the deck free of hazards, electrical and fuel systems in good condition, and galley and heating systems must operate correctly.

In case of an accident, the most important thing you can do is to attract attention in order to get rescued.  Do you have all the required safety equipment?

 

 

 

 

 

Other Recommended Equipment

Coast Guard recommended items for your boat:

• VHF Marine Radio - Next to a life jacket, a VHF radio is probably the most important piece of gear to have on your boat.  If you get into trouble, you will be able to radio the nearest Coast Guard Station for help.  The real beauty of the VHF marine radio is that other boaters on the same water as you monitor Channel 16, the emergency channel, and can assist you promptly.  Help may only be a few hundred yards away!

CB radios and cell phones are not good substitutes.  They are not monitored by other boaters or the the Coast Guard.  Cell phones are convenient second method of communication, but do not replace a marine VHF radio.  If you cannot get a signal, you may not be able to communicate with the Coast Guard Station or other sources of help.

Fixed-base VHF radios typically are equipped with an 8 foot antenna and put out 25 watts.  They will be heard at a much further distance than a hand held radio which has a very short antenna and only transmits at up to 5 watts.  The primary determinant of distance of transmission is the height of the antenna - the higher the better.

• Dewatering Device - A bilge pump may mean the difference between sinking and keeping your boat afloat.  Check its function and have a hand held pump as a backup.
• Mounted Fire Extinguisher - The Coast Guard regulations require that a fire extinguisher be present on a boat, but they do not require that it be mounted.  Mounting the extinguisher in an accessible place makes sense and prevents the extinguisher from falling or being damaged from bouncing over waves.
• Anchor and Line appropriate for the area - An anchor is an essential safety device.  Should your boat break down you can anchor and prevent your boat from drifting into rocks or other hazards.  The anchor also orients your boat into the wind which will keep your boat from being breached or hit by a wave on the side of your boat.  The bow of the boat is best suited for taking on a wave.  The anchor should be equipped with "rode" or anchor line made of nylon.  The length of the line should be sufficient for the water you are on.  See Boating Tips for more information.
• First Aid Kit - A first aid kit can come in handy for minor injuries, including sunburn.
• Person in the Water Kit - The person in water kit can consist of a "throw bag" which is attached to a line and allows you to pull someone back to the boat.
• Inland Distress Signals - In addition to the required coastal distress signals, additional distress signals for day and night are recommended.
• Capacity / Certificate of Compliance - Most boats now have a capacity plate which tells the maximum carrying capacity of the boat.  This should never be exceeded!  The weight carried on a boat is the most important thing to consider.
• Float Plan - The float plan is a pre-prepared note indicating who you are with, what boat you are on, and where you plan to go.  It also indicates when you will return.  It should be left with someone who will know if you do not return at the appropriate time so they can notify emergency personnel. The Coast Guard Auxiliary has a Float Plan form free to download.