| The Federal government has passed new laws for your safety. The captain of your boat
should know about these rules. If he doesn’t know about some of them, how many of the
other safety items has he compromised ? All of the RI Party & Charter Boat
Association Captains know and comply with these regulations.
FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS - For Passenger Carrying
Vessels.
- REGISTRATIONS: If your vessel is over 5 tons
(about 26ft.) it MUST be documented "coasting trade" for carrying passengers for
hire.
- LIFE JACKETS: Your P.F.D’s must have writing
on them that says for ALL VESSELS. (Type 1) and also contain the USCG Approval Number
160.00x. The jackets must be in good serviceable condition with no rips or tears and all
straps present.
- WATER LIGHTS: They must be attached to each life
jacket. Each light must also have a USCG Approval Number 161.0xxx and must be current.
- LIFE RING: (type IV PFD). One must be immediately
available. It must have an Approval Number in it and 60 ft. line may be attached.
- FLARES: V.D.S. all must have an expiration date
and Approval Number on each one. You must have three (3) day/night current one aboard.
(hand held or gun, red flares).
- ON GAS ENGINE BOATS: Your VENTILATION SYSTEM must
be properly installed and in working order including a power blower in vessels built after
July 31, 1980. Your FUEL TANKS must be properly
installed with a shut off at the tank and at each engine and properly grounded.
- FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: These must have an Approval
Number on each one and if it doesn’t have a gauge on it to show its fully charged. It
must have an inspection tag that is not over six (6) month old. If you have a fixed fire
fighting system, it counts as one (1) BI ext. The number of extinguishers depend on the
length of the vessel. - Less than 26ft - 1 BI, 26 to 39 ft - 2 BI or 1 BII, 40 to 64 ft -
3 BI or I BII and I BI.
- NAVIGATION LIGHTS: Running lights and an all
around white ANCHOR LIGHT must be in working order. RUNNING LIGHTS - 12 point white stern
and 10 point red & green lights and a 20 point white light forward. (Other options are
available.)
- HORN or WHISTLE and BELL: Under 40 ft - some means
of making an efficient sound. 40 ft. or over - Whistle audible ½ mile and a bell 7 7/8
inches in diameter and a COPY of RULES OF THE ROAD Aboard.
- HEAD: M.S.D. Approved (approval number in it) type
I or II or III. OR make sure the SEA COCK IS CLOSED within 3 miles of land.
- OILY WATE DISCHARGE PLAQUE: (5x8) is required on
vessels over 26 ft. and a bucket for oily bilge slops.
- SAFETY INFO SHEET: Each vessel must give a safety
lecture or POST A NOTICE that shows how to put on a P.F.D and that also states
requirements of an EMERGENCY CHECK OFF SHEET.
- TRASH DISPOSAL PLACARD: must be posted for all to
see. Vessels over 40 ft. must have a written WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN aboard that states who
(by name) is responsible for handling the trash and what is to be done with it and a log
kept of all disposals.
- THE OPERATOR OF THE VESSEL MUST HAVE A VALID USCG LICENSE
to operate the vessel/ the license must be of adequate size with regard to area of
operation and number of passengers.
- DRUG PROGRAM. All licensed personnel and deckhands
MUST be in an approved Drug Program that meets the 5 requirements: Pre-employment, Serious
marine Incident and For Cause, Periodic, and Random Drug testing, and an Education
Assistance Program that includes one hour of training.
- MAX. 6 PASSENGERS. You can not carry more than 6
passengers unless you have a CERTIFICATE of INSPECTION posted that is issued by the USCG.
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