Difference between revisions of "Safety Requirements"

Revision as of 10:23, 29 August 2007

This information was taken from Federal and Massachusetts State boating safety regulations. Only the information specifically relevant to MIT's bluewater vessel is included. This assumes that MIT's vessel meets the following criteria:

• Sailboat with overall length between 8m and 20m (26 ft. and 39.4 ft.)
• Diesel [inboard] engine
• No permanently installed fire extinguisher system.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs):

• All vessels must have at least one USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD (life jacket) for each person on board.

• One Type IV (throwable) USCG–approved PFD must be on board and readily accessible.

• Children under 12 years old must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD whenever above deck on any vessel underway.

• All life jackets (PFDs) must be:
  • U.S. Coast Guard–approved, which means clearly marked with the USCG approval number
  • In good and serviceable condition
  • Readily accessible, which means you are able to put the life jacket on quickly in an emergency
  • Of the proper size for the intended wearer; sizing for life jackets is based on body weight and chest size.

Navigation Lights

The required navigation lights must be displayed between sunset and sunrise and in periods of restricted visibility such as fog or heavy rain.

Underway with No Motor Power:

• Red (port) and green (starboard) sidelights visible from a distance of at least one mile.
• White sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles.

Underway with No Motor Power - Alternate Configuration:

• An alternative to the sidelights and sternlight is a combination red, green and white light ("tri-color"), which must be exhibited near the top of the mast.

Underway Under Motor Power:

• Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least one mile.
• White sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles.
• White forward light in the middle of the mast ("masthead light") visible from a distance of at least two miles.

Underway Under Motor Power - Alternate Configuration:

• Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least one mile.
• All-around white light visible from all directions and from a distance of at least two miles.

Fire Extinguishers

The vessel must have, at a minimum, either of:

• Two B-I fire extinguishers
• One B-II fire extinguishers

Approved types of fire extinguishers are identified by the following marking on the label — “Marine Type USCG Approved” — followed by the size and type symbols (B-I or B-II) and the approval number. The “II” in the symbol B-II indicates that this type of fire extinguisher has twice the extinguishing agent as those labeled B-I.

Extinguishers should be placed in an accessible area — not near the engine or in a compartment, but where they can be reached immediately.

Sound Producing Devices

All vessels must have a whistle or horn, or some other means to make an efficient sound signal (an air horn is adequate).

On State Waters, vessels over 26 feet long must also have a bell.

Visual Distress Signals (VSDs)

Day-use approved visual distress signals are required in coastal waters, and night-use visual distress signals are required if the vessel is operated between sunset and sunrise.

Acceptable pyrotechnic visual distress signals include:

• Red handheld flares (day or night use)
• Red aerial flares (day or night use)
• Orange smoke (day use only)

Acceptable non-pyrotechnic visual distress signals include:

• Orange distress flag with black circle and black square (day use only)
• Electric distress light with automatic SOS signalling function (night use only)

Note: If pyrotechnic devices are selected, a minimum of three must be carried. Pyrotechnic devices come with an expiration date, which is 42 months from the date of manufacture. To meet carriage requirements, you must have at least three un-expired devices aboard. You may carry expired flares as back up, but they will not count towards the legal requirement.

-Ted