America’s Boating Course 3 rd Edition Louisiana State & Local Regulations Chapter 2 Section 8 1 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Legal Responsibility Federal laws set Rules to avoid collision and establish minimum equipment requirements Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries provides rules for: Operator qualifications Additional equipment requirements Educational requirements Boat Registration Life Jacket wear Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends 2

Certificate of Registration All boats with motors on Louisiana waters LDWF issues Certificate of Registration stating registration number and two validation decals Decals are issued for three calendar years and expire three years from date of issuance Certificate of Registration must be on board the boat at all times Validation Decals - attached to each side of bow within six inches of registration number 3 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Display of Decals Numbers and letters must be…….. P ainted or attached to each side of the forward half of the boat hull. Validation decal attached within 6 inches Of a plain block design, not less than three inches high, and of a color that will contrast with the hull Vertical and plain, with space or hyphen between the prefix (LA), the numerals (1234), and suffix (AB). 4 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Education Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends 5 Born after 1 January 1984, must complete a NASBLA approved boating education course and carry proof when operating motorboat with over 10 horsepower Minimum age to operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC) is 16. This course is an educational foundation for your continuum of education. Boating clubs, yacht clubs and local marine agencies offer advanced education on new equipment and fun activities. Just do it!

Life Jacket Requirements USCG Approved, proper size, serviceable and readily available for every person All 16 and younger must wear on boats less than 26 ft. One throwable on boats 16 to less than 26 ft. All on PWC must wear, preferably impact rated All on boat with hand-tiller outboard under 16 ft., must wear All being-towed in watersports must wear, preferably impact rated 6 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Less than 16 feet 16 to less than 26 feet 26 to less than 40 feet 40 to less than 65 feet 65 feet and longer exceeds “Recreational boat” classification Classification of Boats 7 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT Engine Cut-off Device – includes PWC Motor boat, (less than 26 feet) with hand tiller outboard with over 10 horsepower designed to have or having must have cut-off switch lanyard attached to operator while underway Fire Extinguishers – minimum numbers Mechanically powered boats (less than 26 feet) - ONE USCG Approved Type B1 Mechanically powered boats (26 less than 40 feet – TWO Type B1 / larger boats comply Federal regs Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends 8

9 32 Point Compass 360 Degrees in a circle 8 principal winds (N NE E SE S SW W NW 8 half winds (NNE ENE ESE SSE SSW WSW WNW NNW 16 quarter winds between the 16 winds 32 Points in 360 degree circle Point equals 11 ¼ degrees 10 points = deg.

Navigation Lights Sunset to sunrise and restricted visibility All boats kayak to yacht have ready at hand lantern or flashlight w/ white light to exhibit in time – avoid collision! 10 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Sound Producing Devices Class 1, 2 or 3 boats (16 to less than 65 feet) shall be provided with an efficient whistle or other sound producing mechanical device Class 2 and 3 Boats (26 to less than 65 feet) shall be additionally provided with an efficient bell 11 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Service life: 42 Months Visual Distress Signals Visual Distress Signals are required on federally controlled waters. Offshore Tidal Coastal Areas. Not required on human powered boats. (Good to have on all waters) 12 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Required on gasoline inboard and stern drive engines installed after April 25, 1940 Backfire Flame Arrestor 13 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Alcohol and Drugs - BWI Use causes blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and physical reactions become slower BWI is breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of.08 % or greater Criminal penalty: same as DUI. May include suspension or revocation of boating privileges and driver’s license. First time conviction of BWI up to $1000 fine and six months in jail 14 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Prohibited Operations Operating in restricted areas Wake jumping, hull leaves water Failure to regulate speed Operating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol 15 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Regulatory Markers 16 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

RECIPROCITY Due to the waters in western Louisiana that form a mutual border with Texas, a reciprocal agreement with Texas allows anglers fishing these specific waters to use the resident license from their home state. The boundary waters include: Caddo Lake, Toledo Bend Reservoir, Sabine River, Sabine Lake and Sabine Pass. Find a boat ramp - Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends 17 Fishing licenses are required for resident and non-resident anglers 16 years of age and older. However, Louisiana residents who have lived in Louisiana for one year prior to fishing and were born before June 1, 1940 are exempt from both basic and saltwater fishing licenses. License fees vary and are generally more expensive for non-residents. A great site is

Proper Ventilation Power exhaust blower and natural ventilation required for gasoline fueled enclosed engine or fuel tank Run blower for 4 minutes and then sniff bilge before starting engine 18 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Mufflers Excessive noise can prevent vessel operator from hearing signals and voices All vessels manufactured after January 1, 1990 must be equipped with muffler system in good working order and in constant operation to suppress engine noise You may not remove or modify a muffler or muffling system if it results in an increased noise level 19 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Avoid diving in: Areas already occupied by boaters Narrow channels Boaters give at least 100 feet clearance Diving/Snorkeling Flags 20 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Towing Requirements Boat Or PWC No skiing or towing between sunset and sunrise PFD required for towed person Boat towing must be rated for 3 persons, observer or equipped with wide-angle convex mirror at least 7 by 14 inches viewing tow PWC towing must have observer 21 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Environmental Protection Pollution regulations – nothing overboard! Placard required on boats greater than 26 feet 22 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Oil/Fuel Spills Spills: Thimble of fuel or more should be reported: Placard displayed for vessels >26’ Fines up to $10, Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Trailer boaters should remove visible mud, plants, fish or animals from boats and trailers prior to transport to another body of water. Scrape any mussels from boat or outdrive, and flush hull, bilges & water holding compartments with hot water (at least 120º F). Do not release plants or fish, including bait, into a body of water unless it came out of that same body of water. To prevent the spread of non-native fish and mollusks in our waterways, boaters should follow these simple rules: Aquatic Nuisances 24 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Pump fresh water through engines before leaving the area. Empty water out of kayaks, canoes, rafts, etc. Let boat, PWC's, trailer and equipment dry for at least 5 days. Aquatic Nuisances 25 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

Emergencies Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends 26 Follow the Rules, maintain continuous lookout at safe speeds and brief all aboard before leaving the dock on procedures and responsibilities All aboard should know the plan for responding to accidents. Most accidents occur on clear day with calm winds and waters Run aground? Turn off the engine and ensure all have on their life jackets. Shift weight from impact point, and lift the engine outdrive to prevent engine damage

Emergencies Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends 27 The captain’s pre-sail briefing includes providing USCG approved lifejackets for the intended boating. It should be tried on, fasteners adjusted and check for proper size. It should be worn, but must be readily accessible. Wearing life jackets can reduce the major cause of boating fatalities – falling overboard and drowning. Falling overboard contributes to death from cold water immersion leads to hypothermia since the body loses heat 25 time faster in water than in air.

Boating Accidents Stop and provide assistance; exchange information Accident reports involving death, missing persons, or medical treatment beyond first aid must be reported immediately by the most prompt means of communications If vessel is lost, or damage is over $500,  Report must be filed within 5 days f/pageboating/31696-boating-incident- reporting/biroperatorreport _0.pdf 28 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries law enforcement may stop and board your vessel  Yield right of way, stop vessel and stay in position until police have passed  Report missing/overdue boaters, boat crash incident or report violations to Enforcement 29 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends

End Chapter 2 30 Come for the boating education … Stay for the friends