Safety Equipment and Uses

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Contents....
Safety Equipment Life Jackets Life Jacket Regulations Float Plans Fire Extinguishers Visual Distress Signals
Safety Equipment
Equipment on board your boat is very important. Ensuring that you have all required equipment primary. You should be familiar with the various parts and pieces of equipment that you can use to survive an emergency on the water. Here is a basic description of a few of those...
Bilge pump or bailer: Although federal regulations do not require dewatering devices-a bucket or other bailer on unpowered boats or electric bilge pumps on boats with engines-they are required by some state laws. Required or not, these items are recommended for safe boating. In Canada, even the smallest boat must have at least a bailer on hand.
Compass: Desirable on almost any boat, for boat emergency and regular use, a compass and plotting instruments are recommended for piloting purposes.
Electronic equipment: VHF radio is the basic piece of electronic safety equipment used in receiving weather reports and Coast Guard warnings, as well as in transmitting requests for assistance. Other operational safety items include electronic depth sounders, fuel vapor detectors and navigational equipment such a loran, GPS and radar.
EPIRB (emergency position-indicating radio beacon): This automatic radio transmitter should be carried on any boat operating offshore. To Rent an EPIRB for very low weekly fees, check out the BOAT/U.S. Foundation's EPIRB Rental Program: www.boatus.com/foundation.
First-aid kit: An essential item of safety equipment. The kit should be accompanied by a first-aid manual and supplemented by one or more first-aid courses.
Backfire Flame ARRESTOR: With some minor and technical exceptions, every inboard gasoline engine must be equipped with an acceptable means of backfire flame control-or "flame arrestor." This safety device prevents an exhaust backfire from causing an explosion. It operates by absorbing heat. Flame arrestors no longer require Coast Guard approval; the USCG now accepts flame arrestors complying with Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1111 or Society of Automotive Engineers J1928. When in use flame arrestors must be secured to the air intake of the carburetor with an airtight connection. Elements must be clean, and grids must be tight enough to prevent flames passing through. Cleaning with soap and water is the best way to maintain its effectiveness.
Flashlight or searchlight: A searchlight- installed on larger craft, hand-held on smaller boats-serves both as a night piloting aid and as an emergency signaling device. A multicell flashlight or electric lantern can serve these functions, although sometimes less effectively.
Life rafts: For everyone who cruises or fishes offshore, a rigid or inflatable life raft should be considered mandatory. Standards for life rafts-size, capacity ratings, seaworthiness conventions, and are adapted for the U.S. by the USCG.
Sound signaling devices: The Navigation Rules require sound signals to be made under certain circumstances, including the meeting, crossing and overtaking situations that are described in the Rules. All vessels, including recreational vessels, are required to sound fog signals during periods of reduced visibility; therefore, you must have some means of making an efficient sound signal. In an emergency for example you can use any loud noise to attract attention: If you have a loud hailer, use it, or make a megaphone from a rolled up chart, or bang on a metal pot. Vessels 12 meters or more in length are required to carry on board a whistle for marine use and a bell.
Spare parts and tools: The list of tools and spare parts to be carried aboard is best developed by skippers for their own boats. Depending on the type of boat, how it is normally used, and the capabilities of the crew, the list may include items such as simple tools, plugs, cloth screws, nails, wire, tape and other objects for making emergency repairs at sea; spare bulbs for the navigation lights and various mechanical and electrical spare parts.
Visual distress signals: Most boats- and all boats operating in open waters- must be equipped with visual distress signals, classified by the USCG for day use only, night use only or combined day-and night use. Each device must be in serviceable condition, readily accessible and certified by the manufacturer as complying with USCG requirements.

Safety Equipment: Required
One personal flotation device (in good condition) for each person on board. You must have the PFDs out of the plastic and in an accessible location.
A throwable cushion or ring is required. The throwable should be close by the steering station.
Three current-dated, hand-held, approved flares are minimum equipment to serve for day and night distress signals, both inshore and offshore.
The correct number of approved fire extinguishers, readily available for use is based on the size of your vessel.
You must have a sound device and of course, working running lights.
Life Jackets
TYPES
There are five types of flotation devices. Each is designed for different boating activities and water conditions and has its own maximum buoyancy, performance level, and limitations. You should choose your life jacket based on your boating activities and conditions, as recommended below. Buy a life jacket that you will wear. And buy bright orange or yellow, so that you will be visible to rescuers. Take it out of the plastic, try it on, and learn how to adjust it for a snug fit. Then, test it in the water. Make sure it supports you and keeps your mouth and head clear of the water with no effort on your part. Then, try pulling it on once you're in the water... it's not as easy as it seems.
When should you wear your life jacket?
In general, the best time to wear your lifejacket is when you are near the water. Accidents happen...both on the dock, and on quiet, still waters. If you feel comfortable without a life jacket on during calm conditions, always keep your eye on weather and water conditions as they can deteriorate very rapidly. Boating at night, in congested waterways, or in unfamiliar waters are all times when you should strongly consider wearing your life jacket.
What is buoyancy and Why is it important?
Buoyancy is the force, expressed in pounds, required to keep you afloat with your head and chin above the water. Since everyone's buoyancy requirements are different нн based on size, weight, sex, age, percent body fat, and general physical condition нн you should test your life jacket in the water to make sure it will offer you maximum performance when your life depends on it.
TYPE I - Inherently Buoyant:
Recommended uses: offshore cruising, racing and fishing
Minimum buoyancy: 22 lbs. (11 lbs. for child size)
Best for open, rough or remote water where rescue may be slow to arrive. Will turn most unconscious wearers face-up in water.
Offers the best protection, but is somewhat bulky and uncomfortable.
Inflatable:
Minimum buoyancy: 34 lbs.
Recommended uses: offshore cruising, racing, fishing
Will turn unconscious wearer face-up
Advantages: two inflation mechanisms, both manual and automatic; very comfortable to wear
Disadvantages: requires periodic maintenance; not suitable for whitewater, for use with personal watercraft, or while skiing
TYPE II - Near-Shore Inherently Buoyant:
Recommended uses: inland cruising, dinghy sailing and dinghy racing.
Minimum buoyancy: 15.5 lbs.
Good for protected, inland water near shore, where chances of immediate rescue is good. Not suitable for extended survival in rough water. Will turn some unconscious wearers face-up in water.
More comfortable but less buoyant than Type I
Inflatable:
Minimum buoyancy: 34 lbs.
Recommended uses: inland cruising, dinghy sailing and racing
Not guaranteed to turn unconscious wearer face-up
Advantages: very comfortable, more buoyant than Type II Inherently Buoyant jackets
Disadvantages: only one inflation mechanism, may be manual or automatic
TYPE III - Flotation Aid Inherently Buoyant:
Recommended uses: Supervised activities, such as sailing regattas, dinghy races, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and during personal watercraft operation.
Minimum buoyancy: 15.5 lbs.
Good for protected, inland water near shore, where chance of immediate rescue is good.
Not suitable for extended survival in rough water.
Most comfortable to wear, but less buoyant than Type I.
Inflatable:
Minimum buoyancy: 22.5 lbs.
Recommended uses: supervised activities such as sailing regattas, dinghy races, canoeing.
Not guaranteed to turn unconscious wearer face-up
Advantages: more comfortable than a Type III Inherently Buoyant jacket
Disadvantages: one manual inflation mechanism only
TYPE IV - Throwable Device Inherently Buoyant:
Recommended uses: throw to overboard victim or to supplement the buoyancy of a person overboard. It is not to be worn. Minimum buoyancy: 16.5 lbs. for ring buoy or 18 lbs. for boat cushion.
Can be a cushion, ring or horseshoe mounted on deck.
For calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic, where help is always nearby. Not for unconscious persons, non-swimmers or children.
TYPE V - Special Use Device
Recommended uses: restricted to the special use for which each is designed, for example: sailboard harness, decksuit, commercial white water vest or float coats.
Must be worn when underway to meet minimum US Coast Guard requirements.
Minimum Buoyancy: 15.5 to 22 lbs.
Inflatable:
Minimum buoyancy: 22.5 to 34 lbs. depending on style
Restricted to the one use for which it is designed, ex., sailboard harness, belt pack, deck suit, float coat.
Must be worn to meet federal requirements
Not guaranteed to turn unconscious wearer face-up
Some models feature a combination of CO² inflation and built-in foam and provide 15.5 to 22 lbs. of buoyancy
TYPE V - Hybrids
Recommended for boating activities where rescue is nearby and must be worn when underway. Minimum buoyancy: Have 7.5 lbs. of built-in foam buoyancy and can be inflated to 22 lbs.
More comfortable to wear than Type I or Type II, but are inadequate for unconscious overboard victims.
ALL ABOUT INFLATABLES
HISTORY: Inflatable life jackets were approved by the Coast Guard in September, 1996 for use by recreational boaters. They offer significant advantages over inherently buoyant life jackets by providing greater buoyancy and turning unconscious wearers face up. Inflatables are exceptionally comfortable and wearable, especially in hot weather.
INFLATION MECHANISM: When activated, a CO²cartridge is pierced, releasing gas to inflate the device. Water-activated models inflate automatically when submerged in water. Manual units are activated by yanking a pull-tab. Both types of inflatables feature blow-tubes to provide a back-up method of inflation. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for checking and maintaining your inflation mechanism.
MAINTENANCE: Inflatable life jackets require more frequent maintenance than inherently buoyant life jackets.
Check the status of the inflator to be certain cartridge is properly installed.
Check for leaks every two months; inflate life jacket orally and leave it overnight to check for leaks.
Immediately replace any spent CO²cartridges with new ones.
Frequent users of inflatables should check them often, especially if used around sharp equipment like fishing gear.
Inflatables are NOT recommended for individuals who cannot swim (unless worn inflated) and are not for use where water impact is expected, like water skiing or riding a jet ski.
	LIFE JACKETS and KIDS
A life jacket is no substitute for adult supervision of children in and around the water. Children float differently than adults. Because their body weight is distributed differently, children are more likely to float face down in the water.
Follow these simple steps to safeguard your family:
CARE and STORAGE of YOUR LIFE JACKET
Stow life jackets in an accessible place.
All kids should wear life jackets.
Families should mark each life jacket with the person's name and store them facing up.
Every child should wear a brightly colored life jacket.
Teach your children how to put on their life jackets.
Buoyancy REQUIREMENTS and FEDERAL LAW
You must be in compliance with state and local life jacket ordinances; check regulations in your jurisdiction. At least 26 states require children in age groups ranging from 12 to 6-and-under to wear life jackets at all times. The amount of buoyancy (and life-saving value) your life jacket provides will decrease over time. Treat your life jacket as if your life depends on it.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR LIFE JACKETS...
DO'S: Check your life jackets at the beginning of each boating season. Check that all hardware and straps are in working order. Check for leaks, mildew, lumpy or hardened buoyancy material, & oil saturation in the fabric.
DONT'S: Don't use a life vest or throwable flotation cushion as a kneeling pad or boat fender. Don't use harsh detergents or gasoline to clean it.
STORAGE:
Store in an area with good ventilation.
If wet, allow it to dry thoroughly in open air before storing.
Drying it in a dryer, in front of a radiator, or other source of direct heat will destroy its buoyancy.
Youth PFD Wearing Requirements As of November 1st, 2000, there are 37 states and territories that mandate that children wear life jackets while on a boat under certain circumstances. This list does not include requirements for PFD usage while riding on a PWC or on a towed device such as skis or an inflatable tube

Fire Extinguishers

Fire safety is critical to all boaters. While there is greater chance of fire on a boat than on land, most of these incidents are preventable. Fires require three things--Fuel, oxygen, and a combustion source. Fiberglass boats are highly susceptible to burning, as are gasoline fumes.

Fire extinguishers are required on virtually every boat, and are classified by letter and roman numeral according to the type of fire it may be expected to extinguish, and by the size or weight of the extinguisher.

The letter indicates the type of fire the extinguisher can put out.

Can extinguish fires of ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, etc. which could normally be doused with water.

Can extinguish fires of petroleum and grease fires.

Can extinguish electrical fires.

You will generally find fire extinguishers rated to put out type B and C fires. Extinguishers rated to put out all three types of fire, ABC, are preferred for marine use.

Procedure for using a fire extinguisher:

Pull out the lock pin and squeeze the two handle levers together. Aim at the base of the flame using a slight sweeping motion across the fire. Hold the stream steadily at the base of the flames until you are certain the fire is completely out.

Extinguishers approved for marine use are hand-portable and rated by weight class of either B-I or B-II.

On board a boat, fire extinguishers are required if any one or more of the following conditions exist:

Inboard engines

Closed compartments under thwarts and seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored

Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation materials.

Closed living spaces

Permanently installed fuel tanks. A portable tank can be removed from the boat for refilling without the use of tools.

For marine use, all required hand-portable fire extinguishers, semi-portable and fixed fire extinguishing systems must be USCG approved. To find out more about USCG Required equipment, click here.
MARINE FIRE EXTINGUISHER CLASSIFICATION
Classes	Foam(Gals)	CO2(Lbs.)	Dry. Chem(Lbs.)	Halon
B-1 B-2	1.25 2.5	4 15	5 10	2.5 10

For further reading on these topics and other boating information, The BoatU.S. Foundation recommends any of the following:

All of these can be found through your local BoatU.S. Marine Center, the BoatU.S. Catalog or the New Online Store! (www.boatus.com)

Chapman's Piloting by: Elbert S. Maloney

Chapman's Hands-On Powerboating CD ROM

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship by: John Rousmaniere

US Power Squadron Booklets (Knots, Sailing, GPS, Radar, etc.)

US Coast Guard Auxiliary's Skipper's Safe Boating Course

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Contents....

Safety Equipment

Life Jackets

Use a Float Plan

Visual Distress Signals

Fire Extinguishers