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Chapter Four Legal Requirements

Key Topics Numbering and Decals Hull Identification Number Who May Operate a Paddlecraft Unlawful Operation

Key Topics (cont.) Homeland Security Restrictions Alcohol and Drugs Personal Flotation Devices (Life Jackets) Navigation Lights Sound-Producing Devices & Visual Distress Signals

Key Topics (cont.) Discharge of Trash Protection of the Environment Boating Accidents and Casualties Enforcement

Objectives You should be able to … State whether your state requires paddlecraft to be registered. Locate the HIN on your canoe or kayak. Give any age or education restrictions for paddlecraft operators in your state.

Objectives (cont.) List the reckless behaviors that should be avoided when paddling. Explain the dangers of consuming alcohol or drugs while boating and the penalties for doing so. Give the classifications and uses of personal flotation devices, and state the legal requirements.

Objectives (cont.) Give the legal requirements for navigation lights, sound-producing devices, and visual distress signals. Explain how to dispose of trash properly. Explain how to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species and protect submerged aquatic vegetation. Explain when and how to report a boating accident.

Certificate of Number and Decals Your Vessel’s Certificate of Number and Decals Canoes and kayaks do not require registration under federal law. State laws vary. Check with your state’s boating agency for specific requirements for paddlecraft. Placement of decals Expiration

Hull Identification Number All paddlecraft manufactured after 1972 are required to have a Hull Identification Number.

Who May Operate a Paddlecraft Federal law does not specify age or education restrictions for persons paddling canoes and kayaks. State laws may vary—check with your state’s boating agency. Some canoe and kayak rental agencies have their own restrictions.

Unlawful Operation of a Paddlecraft Reckless operation is the failure to exercise the care necessary to prevent the endangerment of life, limb, or property of any person. Check with your state’s boating agency for what is defined as reckless or negligent operation of a paddlecraft.

Unlawful Operation (cont.) Examples: Interfering with the passage of large, deep- draft vessels that can navigate safely only in the deepest part of a channel. Failing to obey a regulatory marker. Overloading your paddlecraft. Allowing passengers to sit in dangerous locations where there may be a chance of falling overboard. Harassing or disturbing marine wildlife with your boat.

Homeland Security Do not approach within 100 yards of any U.S. Naval vessel. Avoid all security zones, commercial ports, and restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc. Do not stop or moor beneath bridges or in channels. Report any suspicious activity.

Alcohol and Drugs How does your state determines if a person is intoxicated, including the blood alcohol concentration percentage? What is your state’s law regarding implied consent to be tested? What are your state’s penalties for boating while intoxicated?

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) All paddlecraft must have at least one wearable, USCG–approved life jacket of the proper size for each person on board. Type I: Offshore Life Jackets Type II: Near-Shore Vests

Personal Flotation Devices (cont.) Type IV: Throwable Devices Type V: Special-Use Devices Type III: Flotation Aids

Personal Flotation Devices (cont.) What are the laws in your state regarding life jackets? What are the PFD requirements for children? Are life jackets required to be worn on paddlecraft in your state?

Personal Flotation Devices (cont.) Life jackets are difficult to put on in the water. Have everyone on board wear life jackets at all times. Federal law states that anyone under 13 must wear a life jacket of proper size.

Navigation Lights Paddlecraft are required to carry at least one lantern or flashlight with a white light. The light must be visible in all directions: When paddlecraft is away from dock between sunset and sunrise. When visibility is limited Check with your state’s boating agency for additional requirements for navigation lights.

Sound-Producing Devices Sound-producing devices are essential when visibility is limited. Paddlers also use sound signals to let other boaters know what they plan to do. Whistle Horn Foghorn

Sound-Producing Devices (cont.) Sound signals are a combination of short and prolonged blasts. Short blasts last about one second. Prolonged blasts last 4-6 seconds.

Sound-Producing Devices (cont.) You should know the sound signals for: Changing direction Restricted visibility Warning

Sound-Producing Devices (cont.) Federal and state laws regarding sound-producing devices may differ. Are sound-producing devices required on your state’s waters? What types of devices are required based on the length of the paddlecraft? How far away the sound signal must be audible?

Visual Distress Signals Paddlers use visual distress signals to signal for help in an emergency. Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals Day Signal Day & Night Signal Day & Night Signal

Visual Distress Signals (cont.) Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals Night Signal Day Signal

Visual Distress Signals (cont.) Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals arm signal Day Signal

Visual Distress Signals (cont.) Example combinations: Three handheld red flares One handheld red flare and two red meteors One handheld orange smoke signal, two floating orange smoke signals, and one electric light

Visual Distress Signals (cont.) Vessels on federally controlled waters must carry USCG– approved VDSs. Federal and state laws may differ. Check with your state’s boating agency for requirements for VDSs on state waters.

Other Requirements and Regulations Paddlers should know about any additional requirements in your state, such as: A bailing device Transporting regulations Permit for marine events

Discharge of Trash Dumping trash into state or federally controlled waters is illegal. Many forms of litter can kill birds, fish, and marine mammals.

Protection of the Environment Aquatic nuisance species include zebra mussels, quagga mussels, milfoil, hydrilla, and various other plants and animals. Introducing these non-native species into a waterway can upset the ecosystem and hurt the environment.

Protection of the Environment (cont.) Prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species: Inspect paddlecraft before leaving water. Remove plants or animals. Drain water from interior. Rinse paddlecraft’s hull and equipment before moving from one body of water to another. Empty bait bucket on land. Use plain water or non-phosphate detergents to clean paddlecraft. Air-dry craft and equipment for as long as possible.

Protection of the Environment (cont.) Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) What is it? Why is it important? How can you protect it?

Accidents and Casualties Paddlers must know the requirements for reporting accidents and rendering aid: What types of accidents must be reported When accidents must be reported How accidents must be reported

Accidents and Casualties (cont.) Sample Boating Accident Report Form

Enforcement Law enforcement officers have the right to stop your paddlecraft. On federally controlled waters On state waters

Review Questions What is the number that is assigned and imprinted by the boat manufacturer and is unique to your boat? Answer: Hull Identification Number

Review Questions (cont.) Because it is considered reckless operation, where should you not allow passengers to ride on a canoe or kayak while underway? Answer: on the bow or gunwale of a canoe or on the deck of a kayak

Review Questions (cont.) What activity is illegal if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above the legal limit? Answer: operating a vessel

Review Questions (cont.) What are three requirements for a life jacket to be legal? Answer: U.S. Coast Guard–approved Good condition Readily accessible

Review Questions (cont.) Name the five types of PFDs. Answer: Offshore life jacket Near-shore vest Flotation aid Throwable device Special-use device

Review Questions (cont.) What type of PFD is good to have if you need to help another boater or swimmer quickly? Answer: Type IV throwable device

Review Questions (cont.) What is the only way that life jackets can save lives? Answer: They must be worn.

Review Questions (cont.) What navigation lights are required for paddlecraft? Answer: a lantern or a flashlight with a white light

Review Questions (cont.) What piece of equipment should you tie to your life jacket or around your neck? Answer: a whistle

Review Questions (cont.) What are two visual distress signals (VDSs) that can be used at night? Answer: (any two) Red flares Red meteors Electric light

Review Questions (cont.) What two items are illegal to dump into federally controlled or state waters? Answer: garbage and plastics

Review Questions (cont.) To help control and reduce algae growth in waterways, what should you use to clean your boat? Answer: plain water or non-phosphate detergent

Review Questions (cont.) When are you required to report a boating accident? Answer: if it results in death, serious injury, or significant property damage