Safety Requirements

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This information was taken from Federal and Massachusetts State boating safety regulations. This assumes that MIT's vessel meets the following criteria:

  • Sailboat with overall length between 12m and 20m (39.4 ft. and 65.6 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 immediately 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.

Sailing vessel underway:

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

Sailing vessel underway - alternate configuration:

  • A white, red, and green all-round light ("tricolor") at or near the top of the mast, visible from a distance of at least two miles.
  • Tri-color light shall not be used in conjunction with sidelights and sternlight.

Auxiliary sailboat underway under power:

  • Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles.
  • White sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles.
  • White forward masthead light visible from a distance of at least three miles.

Note: with engine on in forward or reverse, with or without sails, follow rules for power-driven vessels.

At anchor:

  • All-round white light where it can best be seen, visible from a distance of at least two miles.

REFERENCE for above lights situations:

  • US Coast Guard Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook (ISBN: 9780160925665)
  • Light visibility - rule 22(b); Motoring - rule 23(a) without (iii); Sailing - rule 25(a) and (b); Anchored - rule 30(b).

Fire Extinguishers

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

  • Three B-I fire extinguishers

or

  • One B-I and 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.

Note: A fixed B-II extinquisher is equivalent to a Type B-I extinguisher.

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

All fire extinguishers must be fully charged and in good condition.

Fire extinguishers must be stored in a dedicated bracket.

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:

Acceptable non-pyrotechnic visual distress signals include:

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.

Anchor and Bailer

All vessels propelled by a motor of any kind must have an anchor and sufficient line (rope) to anchor in the vessel's normal operating area, and a manual bailer.

Placards

MARPOL Trash Placard

A durable sign (at least 4 x 9 inches) must be displayed in a prominent location to notify passengers and crew about garbage dumping restrictions of the Marine Pollution Act (MARPOL):

Area It is illegal to dump:
Within within 3 nautical miles of shore Plastic, paper, rags, glass, metal, crockery, dunnage (lining and packing material, nets, lines, etc.), and food
Between 3 and 12 nautical miles from shore Plastic and any other garbage that is greater than one inch in size
Between 12 and 25 nautical miles from shore Plastic and dunnage
Beyond 25 nautical miles Plastic

Oil Discharge Placard

A durable sign (at least 5 x 8 inchs) must be placed in the machinery area or near the bilge pump control switch stating:

Discharge of Oil Prohibited
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste upon or into any navigable waters of the U.S. The prohibition includes any discharge which causes a film or discoloration of the surface of the water or causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are subject to substantial civil and/or criminal sanctions including fines and imprisonment.


External Links

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