1. America’s Boating Course 3rd Edition
Required Safety Equipment
Chapter 1
Section 2
Section 2 – Getting Underway
Boating safety begins long before you ever leave the dock. The preparations you make on land could prevent a relaxing cruise from becoming a disaster. This chapter will provide useful information on trailering your boat to the water, fueling it and loading your gear and passengers safely. Checklists are provided to help you plan your trip. Before you take your boat on the water study this section carefully.
Remember: You owe it to your passengers and yourself to be a smart boater.
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2. Required Safety Equipment
Federal requirements
Based on size of vessel
Know your boat’s “class”
Paragraph 2
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3. Length of Boats Class 3: 40 ft to less than 65 ft
Class A: less than 16 ft
Lengths of Boats
Paragraph 3
This slide shows the different classes of boats based upon boat length.
All classes are defined on the slide. Now you could talk about how USPS teaches its members what the requirements are for each class of boat.
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4. length Length of Boats outboard inboard Length of Boats Paragraph 3
LOA - Length overall.
Waterline Length – Length of the boat from bow to stern at the waterline. 4
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5. Life
Jackets
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6. Life Jacket Requirements
USCG Approved PFD Required
(Personal Floatation Device = Life Jacket)
One for each person
Correct size - fit
Serviceable
Readily available
Children must wear
Paragraph 4-14
Figures 2-2 to 2-6
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7. Type I PFD Offshore Elevates head Turns most users face up
For emergencies
Big and bulky
Figure 2-2 and Sidebar
Classes of PFDs
The five types of PFDs fall into three classes
based on their method of buoyancy:
1. Inherently buoyant
2. Inflatable
3. Hybrid inflatable
The buoyancy of a PFD, rated in pounds, is what keeps you afloat. Your weight is not
the only factor in finding out how much “extra lift” you need in the water. Body fat,
lung size, clothing, and whether the water is calm or rough all play a part in staying
afloat. In general, the more physically fit you are, the more “lift” you need since muscle
is heavier than body fat.
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8. Type II PFD Near shore & inland Elevates head Turns some users face up
Part of USCG kit
Figure 2-3 and Sidebar
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9. Type III PFD Buoyant device Many uses Many styles More comfortable
Doesn’t elevate head
Doesn’t turn face up
Figure 2-4 and Sidebar
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10. Type IV Throwable Usually required Thrown to person overboard Cushion
Horseshoe buoy
Life Ring
Cushion
Figure 2-5 and Sidebar
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11. Throwable
Throwables
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12. Inflatables Inflatable PFDs Not to be used for:
ZERO buoyancy unless inflated
Inflated manually or automatically
Requires regular maintenance
Not to be used for:
Weak or non-swimmers
Children under 16 or under 80 lbs
Water Impact Sports; under clothing
Figure 2-6 and Sidebar
Inflatable PFDs
Inflatable PFDs must have a full cylinder, and all status
indicators on the inflator must be green, or the
device is NOT serviceable and does NOT satisfy the
requirement to carry PFDs.
Coast Guard approved inflatable PFD’s are authorized
for use on recreational boats by persons at least
16 years of age.
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13. >>
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Inflatables

14. Type V PFD Some inflatables Buoyant suits Sailboat harness PFD Hybrids
Figure 2-6 and Sidebar
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15. Type V PFD Special use devices Figure 2-6 and Sidebar Table 2-1
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16. Everyone Needs a Life Jacket
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Everyone Needs a Life Jacket

17. Special Life Jackets for Special Boaters
Child PFD Requirements
In addition to Federal requirements, states require
that children wear PFDs, and some state requirements
supersede the Federal requirements. The requirements:
• Apply to children of specific ages
• Apply to certain sizes of boats
• Apply to specific boating operations
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Special Life Jackets for Special Boaters

18. Condition & Serviceability
Inspect all zippers & straps
Replace if ripped or torn
USCG approval label must be readable
Replace after extended exposure to water or weather
Check cartridge on inflatable PFD
Test inflation for 24 hours
Paragraph 82-97
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19. Are You Ready?
We asked two skippers to get themselves, crew, and passengers into life jackets as quickly as possible. Here’s how the simulated emergency looked.
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20. Simulated Emergency Click to Load Video Video on this slide End Video
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21. Fire
Extinguishers
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22. Extinguisher Requirements
Required if …
Inboard engines, including I/O’s
Closed compartments
Permanently installed fuel tanks
Minimum ONE required
Maybe more
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23. Types of Fires Paragraph 111 and Tip FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
The three classes of fire extinguishers are A,
B, and C, to match the type of fire they
extinguish (Figure 2-7):
• Class A fire: wood, paper, rubber, plastic,
textiles
• Class B fire: flammable liquids (gasoline,
oil, and grease)
• Class C fire: electrical equipment
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24. Note the a-b, a-b-c, b-c labels
Portables - Manual
Figure 2-7 and 2-8
Note the a-b, a-b-c, b-c labels
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25. Portables - Manual Dry chemical Class BC 2.5 lbs - very small
5 or 10 lbs - better
Paragraph 110, 113 to 115
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26. Fixed Location - Automatic
For engine area Auto-extinguish No need to open compartment
Paragraph 112
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27. Locations Engine area Galley Living quarters Cockpit Easy to reach
Paragraph 123
Fire Extinguishers should be on all vessels
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28. Note - gauge is in red; should not be used
Maintenance
Inspect monthly Check gauge Rotate & shake No movement – replace 7 year life
Note - gauge is in red; should not be used
Paragraph
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29. How to Use Pull pin Aim Squeeze trigger Spray at base of fire
Paragraph
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30. Fire Demo
Click to Start
Fire Demo
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31. Approved by DC-E USCG AuxA, Inc
Gas pan
Approved by DC-E USCG AuxA, Inc 1C

32. Approved by DC-E USCG AuxA, Inc32

33. Approved by DC-E USCG AuxA, Inc36

34. Approved by DC-E USCG AuxA, Inc44

35. Approved by DC-E USCG AuxA, Inc
Engine Box Fire
Approved by DC-E USCG AuxA, Inc 48

36. Approved by DC-E USCG AuxA, Inc

37. Fire Demo
End Demo
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38. Visual Distress Signals (VDS)
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39. Visual Distress Signals
Many boaters MUST carry Only for Emergencies Must be serviceable Check pyrotechnic expiration date
Paragraph 135 – 144
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40. Locations Requiring VDS
Small Rivers
Bay
VDS not required
VDS required
Less than 2 miles
Large Rivers & Open Water
Federal law states that all boats used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and those waters connected directly to them, up to a point where a body of water is less than two miles wide, must be equipped with USCG-approved visual distress signals. They must be in serviceable condition and readily accessible.
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41. Pyrotechnic VDS Red flare – day or night Orange Smoke – day
Aerial meteors and flares
Paragraph
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42. Non-pyrotechnic VDS Signal mirror – day Orange distress flag – day
Electric distress light (SOS) – day or night
Paragraph
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43. Hand-held Pyrotechnics
Hold over side of boat
Use holder
Light with striker
Use sparingly – who can see?
Short burn time
Limited range
Paragraph
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44. Flares Demo Click to Load Video Video on this slide. End Video
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45. Aerial pyrotechnics Great visibility Very short burn They are firearms
Parachute flares last longer
Paragraph 169 – 173
Figures 2-13 and 2-14
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46. Aerial Flare Demo Click to Load Video Video on this slide. End Video
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47. Parachute Flare Good height Longer burn time Use with caution
Video on this slide.
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48. Parachute Flare Demo Click to Load Video 48 Video on this slide.
End Video
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49. Orange Distress Flag Fly square over dot Highest point possible
Flat on deck for aircraft visibility
Paragraph
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50. Daytime Alternatives Wave arms up & down at your sides Signal mirror
Animation on this slide
Animation
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51. Flares Ready?
Click for VDS Summary
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Flares ready?

52. Sound Producing Devices
Required on all boats under 39.4 ft Usually whistle or horn
Paragraph
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53. Sound Producers Electric Horn Compressed Air Horn Whistle
Paragraph 183 – 185
Tip
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54. Recent Change to Federal Navigational Rules
Sound Producers
Bell
Recent Change to Federal Navigational Rules
There have been several changes to the Federal Navigational Rules (72 COLREGS) that should be communicated to public boating courses and membership course students that reference Navigational Rules. The primary area impacting recreational boaters is Rule 33(a) which discusses the carrying requirements for sound producing devices on vessels 12 meters or longer. The amended USCG rule no longer requires a vessel between 12 and 20 meters to carry a bell. State requirements may differ. Some states may have additional requirements or may still require a bell for boats between 12 and 20 meters; make sure you know your local requirements.
The following was copied from the Coast Guard web site: (
RULE 33(a) is amended to read as follows:
(a) A vessel of 12 meters or more in length shall be provided with a whistle, a vessel of 20 meters or more in length shall be provided with a bell in addition to a whistle, and a vessel of 100 meters or more in length shall, in addition, be provided with a gong, the tone and sound of which cannot be confused with that of the bell. The whistle, bell, and gong shall comply with the specifications in Annex III to these Regulations. The bell or gong or both may be replaced by other equipment having the same respective sound characteristics, provided that manual sounding of the required signals shall always be possible.
Please note that the bell is no longer required on a vessel 12 meters or more but less than 20 meters in length.
RULE 35(i) is added as follows, and the old Rule 35(i) and (j) are renumbered as 35(j) and (k), respectively:
(i) A vessel of 12 meters or more but less than 20 meters in length shall not be obliged to give the bell signals prescribed in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this Rule. However, if she does not, she shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.
The amended USCG rule no longer requires a vessel between 39.4 ft. (12 meters) and 65.6 ft. (20 meters) to carry a bell. States may have additional rules.
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55. Know How to Use Visual Distress Signals
Video on this slide
Click to
Load Video
End Video
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56. Boating Equipment
Anchor and line Spare parts and tool kit Compass and charts Radio, VHF-FM marine Docking lines First aid kit Water for emergencies Flashlight Spare bulbs
Boating Accessories
All states and the US Coast Guard mandate that certain items be carried on board when underway, but there are additional items you will need to carry to ensure a safe and enjoyable voyage. The equipment you select will depend on your boat, your planned activity and the area and conditions in which you will be operating.
Prepare a checklist for your boat (If you passed out sample Equipment Checklists in Chapter 1 review them now); use it before each outing, and revise it as your need change. Use these guidelines to help you select equipment to add to your checklist:
Second means of propulsion.
Bilge pump or bailer.
Spare parts
Tools.
Lines, fenders and boat hook.
Cover the items on the slide and explain why each is necessary. Relate any personal experiences you had or know about concerning on-the-water emergencies.
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57. End Section 2
End of Section 2
END