What coast guard safety equipment do I need for my boat in florida?

Answer 1

Required Equipment

PFDs: Boats less than 16’ (Class A) must have on board one USCG approved wearable PFD for each person aboard. Vessels 16’ to less than 26’ (Class 1), 26’ to less than 40’ (Class 2) and 40’ to 65’ (Class 3) must also carry a type IV throw able device.

Visual Distress Signals: NY State requires all mechanically propelled vessels 18’ and greater in length to carry an orange distress flag at least one square foot in size and a minimum of 3 USCG approved red flares. Federal law requires mechanically propelled vessels 16’ and greater operated on the high seas, coastal waters or Great Lakes to carry at least three USCG approved day/night flares. To satisfy both federal and state requirements it is recommended that all mechanically propelled vessels 16’ and greater in length carry at least 3 USCG approved day/night flares in addition to the distress flag. There are many types of Visual Distress Equipment. Be familiar with the type you carry on your vessel and know how and when to use them.

Fire Extinguishers: All mechanically propelled vessels less than 26’ (except outboards of open construction) must carry one B-1 USCG approved fire extinguisher. Mechanically propelled vessels 26’ to less than 40’ must carry two B-I USCG approved fire extinguishers. Mechanically propelled vessels 40’ to less than 65’ must carry three B-1 fire extinguishers. On any vessel one B-II may substitute for two B-I extinguishers. An approved fixed fire system would reduce the requirements by one B-I. Remember, fire extinguishers are required whenever: a vessel has an inboard engine, there are enclosed or permanently mounted fuel tanks, when there are closed living spaces or closed storage areas in which combustible or flammable materials are stored.

*Ventilation: All vessels built after April 25, 1940, which use gasoline for electrical generation, mechanical power or propulsion are required to be equipped with a ventilation system.

Backfire Flame Control: Gasoline engines installed in a vessel after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, must be equipped with an acceptable means of backfire flame control. The device must be suitably attached to the air intake, be USCG approved or meet SAE or UL standards.
Sound Producing Device: All mechanically propelled vessels 26 feet and greater in length must carry a whistle (horn) which must be a mechanical device capable of producing a blast of two or more seconds in duration. On vessels less than 26 feet in length a mouth whistle may be used. These sound signals are used to signal your intentions regarding navigation, to signal your position in periods of reduced visibility.

Bell: All vessels 39 feet and greater in length are required to carry a bell. The purpose of the bell is to facilitate compliance with the rules of the road when anchored or grounded during periods of reduced visibility.

Anchor: All mechanically propelled vessels must carry an anchor and line of sufficient weight and strength to provide the vessel with safe anchorage. The anchor and line should be strong enough to hold the vessel when subjected to the worst wind and sea conditions that might be encountered. The anchor line should be long enough to be 5 to 10 times the water depth.

Navigation Lights: Recreational vessels must display their required navigational lights at all times between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility. Sailing vessels and manually propelled vessels less than 23 feet may carry, in lieu of fixed lights, a lantern with a white light which can be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent a collision.

Anchor Light: All vessels between 7 and 50 meters in length, when at anchor, must exhibit at night an all around white light. By day a black ball shall be exhibited. Vessels less than 7 meters need not display an anchor light unless anchored in or near a narrow channel or where vessels would normally navigate.

Discharge Prohibited Placards: Vessels 26 feet in length and over must display the following placards. Discharge of Oil Prohibited and Discharge of Garbage and Plastic Prohibited / Restricted.

Recommended Equipment:
1) Compass
2) first aid kit
3) Tool Kit
4) Bilge Pump/ Bailer
5) Boat Hook
6) Oar/ Paddle
7) VHF Radio
8) spare parts

Notice these are Federal requirements. Check with your state for any additional requirements.

Answer 2

Coast Guard Safety Equipment

Answer 3

go to the florida fisheries and wildlife site they have a full section telling you what you need.
Another way to go to a marina and ask there... also you could go to west marine.. the boating store or Bass world and ask for a coast guard safety pack... it will run about $70 ... it consists of 4 pfds one throwable, whistles, flares, fire extinguisher, anchor and rope.
You have to remember that all children under 16 have t o have pfds, for safetys sake there should be a pfd for all adults too You have to have throwable ones too.... . A cell phone is a good idea.. if you go off shore even a few miles off the coast get a marine radio too,,,, hand held or fixed... !!!
Also you do need maps.... and maybe a gps... it depends on you... but if you are offshore.... then believe me a GPS is great... the gps isnt required by the coastguard but it gives yuo a great way of giving an exact location if you have problems...
Also.... if you are new to boating learn what the signs mean in the water,,, no wake zones etc manatee zones and times...
also .... be prepared for sherriffs, coast guards and fisheries and wildlife to stop you .... they will believe me... to check to make sure your boat is safe and that you are not drunk or drinking whilst driving the boat.... and they check to see whay fish you have caught... Been there done that.....
One very important point in florida... theres a lot of boats and a lot of good people driving them who know what they are doing... but i gareuntte that you will meat that idiot who is drunk, doesnt know the rules of the water and is down right dangerous.... Always give other boats a wide birth,,, as much distane as you can between you... Yo as the captain are responsible for the people on your boat. keep them safe..

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What coast guard safety equipment do I need for my boat in florida?

Answer 5

You need a certified life jacket that fits each person aboard. and a throwable.You need day and night flares that are in date. You need a sound producing device, you need fire extinguishers. Your boat needs Nav lights, a backfire flame arrestor is required for gas engines, Some states require you to carry registration materials, anchor, book of rules,bailing device, and your boat safety course certificate. Get a booklet from the FL dmv and check for special regs. The size and number of fire extinguishers varies with size of the boat.

Answer 6

Usually, at least 1 life jacket per passenger, 1 throwable, a fire extinguisher, a whistle and probably some other signaling device, ie mirror, flare gun etc. You should be able to find the USCG on the net and look up the specifics for Fla tho. ;)

Answer 7

The link should help.
http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/ve_visitor/index.html

You will find this link on the above link;
http://www.safetyseal.net/
Watch the Video; See what Channel 10 in Saint Petersburg, Florida had to say...

Answer 8

Hey Buddy I think you just have to have a life boat with an air pump. Go under a web site for Florida. They should have the requirements there. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

It depends entirely on the size of your boat.