2. FOUR PRINCIPALS OF SAFE BOATING 1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVES 1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVES Always Wear Your Life Jacket 2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES - Take A Boating Course 3. SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES - 3. SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES - Get a Free Vessel Safety Check 4. SAFE & SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES 4. SAFE & SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES Never Boat Under the Influence

3. 510 VICTIMS DROWNED 90 PERCENT WERE NOT WEARING A LIFE JACKET = 459 DEATHS IN 2008, TWO THIRDS OF 709 BOATING FATALITIES DROWNED #1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVES

4. In 2008, 79 percent of boat operators involved in accidents never completed a safe boating course. Only 10 percent of the 709 fatalities occurred on boats whose operators completed a boating safety course. #2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES

5. MANDATORY BOATER EDUCATION BOATER EDUCATION BY STATE BOATER EDUCATION BY STATE

6. 2008 STATISTICS 2008 STATISTICS TOP FIVE PRIMARY CONTRIBUTING FACTORS  Careless/reckless operation  Operator inattention  Operator inexperience  No proper lookout  Passenger/skier behavior  4789 Accidents  709 Deaths  3331 Injuries  $54,000,000 in property damage

7.  A USCG Auxiliary course  NASBLA approved  Completion should qualify for a boat insurance premium discount LEARN FROM THE PRO’S LEARN FROM THE PRO’S

8. BE CONFIDENT YOU ARE SAFE TO LAUNCH AND AVOID A CO$TLY CITATION HOW? OBTAIN A FREE, NO-PENALTY VESSEL SAFETY CHECK WHICH MAY ALSO QUALIFY YOUR BOAT FOR AN INSURANCE PREMIUM DISCOUNT LET’S REVIEW REQUIRED ITEMS FOR BOATS 16’ - 26’ SOME REQUIREMENTS INCREASE FOR LARGER BOATS #3. SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES

9. Validation decal placement within 6 inches of letters varies by state. Spaces or hyphens appear here. Letters/numbers must be plain, vertical block not less than 3 inches in height. DISPLAY OF NUMBERS

10. Current & valid  Current & valid  Registration and HIN numbers match what is on the hull.  Description matches the boat and motor. REGISTRATION REGISTRATION YOUR STATE

11. The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique, 12-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972. HIN NUMBER

12.  Must be USCG approved.  One wearable Type I, II, III or V for each person aboard.  Some inflatable life jackets not worn do not count.  In good and serviceable condition.  Appropriate size for intended use.  Required to be readily accessible.  Mandatory for wear by children under 13in most states. Check your state’s requirement.  Must be age 16 or older to wear an inflatable. LIFE JACKETS (PFD’s)

13. GOOD & SERVICABLE CONDITION GOOD & SERVICABLE CONDITION

14. RIGHT SIZE FOR INTENDED USE RIGHT SIZE FOR INTENDED USE

15. READILY ACCESSIBLE READILY ACCESSIBLE

16. INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS

17.  Are available as Type II, III or V life jackets.  Type II automatically inflate when the wearer enters the water. Can also be manually or orally inflated. Have some Type I characteristics.  Type III and V come in automatic or manually inflating models. Can also be orally inflated.  Some have restrictions, READ THE LABEL!  Only approved for wear on a boat.  Require checks and annual maintenance.

18. These vests are geared for rough or remote waters where rescue may take awhile. They provide the most buoyancy, are excellent for flotation, and will turn most unconscious persons face up in the water. TYPE I: OFFSHORE LIFE JACKETS TYPE I: OFFSHORE LIFE JACKETS

19.  These vests are good for calm waters when quick assistance or rescue is likely.  Type II vests will turn some unconscious wearers face up in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as with a Type I. TYPE II: NEAR SHORE VESTS TYPE II: NEAR SHORE VESTS

20.  For calm waters when quick assistance or rescue is likely. Not recommended for rough waters.  Will not turn most unconscious persons face up.  Special Type III life jackets are used for water sports such as water-skiing. TYPE III: FLOTATION AIDS TYPE III: FLOTATION AIDS

21.  Must be immediately available for use and carried on all boats 16’ and larger.  Not designed to be worn.  Throw to someone in trouble.  Not for rough waters or for persons unable to hold on to it. TYPE IV: THROWABLE DEVICES TYPE IV: THROWABLE DEVICES Throw cushion Ring buoy

22.  These are hybrid life jackets, and others designed for specific activities such as kayaking.  Type V life jackets DO NOT always count against vessel carriage requirements if not worn. READ THE LABEL!!! TYPE V: SPECIAL USE DEVICES TYPE V: SPECIAL USE DEVICES

23.  Vessels on the Great Lakes, off-shore and designated waters must be equipped with approved visual distress signals in serviceable condition, and readily accessible.  All are required to carry night signals between sunset and sunrise. Most must also carry day signals.  A combination of unexpired pyrotechnic and non- pyrotechnic visual distress signals are authorized. VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS Night & Day Signals RED METEOR RED FLARE Day Signals ORANGE SMOKE ORANGE FLAG

24.  A Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher is required on boats where a fire hazard could be expected from the motors or the fuel system.  Look for the part of the label that says “Marine Type USCG” and make sure Type B is indicated.  Recommend all fire extinguishers be mounted and immediately accessible in the event of a fire.  Number required increases for boats 26’ and over. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

25.  All boats which use gasoline for electrical generation, mechanical power or propulsion are required to be equipped with a ventilation system.  There are natural and powered systems. Type of system required depends on the boat’s configuration and age. VENTILATION VENTILATION

26. All gasoline powered inboard/outboard motor boats must be equipped with an approved backfire flame control device. BACKFIRE FLAME CONTROL BACKFIRE FLAME CONTROL

27. All boats must carry a sound producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a 4-second blast audible for ½ mile. SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE

28.  All boats must be able to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and in conditions of reduced visibility.  Boats 16’ or larger must have properly installed, working navigation lights and an all-around anchor light capable of being lit independently from the red/green/white "running" lights. NAVIGATION LIGHTS NAVIGATION LIGHTS

29. Pollution Placard: Boats 26’ and over with a machinery compartment must display a "pollution" placard. MARPOL Trash Placard: Boats 26’ and over in length must display a "MARPOL" trash placard. Navigation Rules: Operators of boats 39.4’ or greater must have a copy of Inland Navigation Rules. LARGER BOATS LARGER BOATS

30. Any installed toilet must be a Coast Guard approved device. Overboard discharge outlets must be capable of being sealed. MARINE SANITATION DEVICES MARINE SANITATION DEVICES

31. A boat must meet the requirements of the state in which it is being examined for a Vessel Safety Check decal to be awarded. Some examples are:  Liability insurance  Placement of state decal  Towing flag  Capacity number on side  Cutoff lanyard (kill switch) if required and/or installed must be in working order. STATE/LOCAL REQUIREMENTS STATE/LOCAL REQUIREMENTS

32. Deck Free of Hazards/Clean Bilge: The boat must be free from fire hazards, in good overall condition, with bilges reasonably clean and visible hull structure generally sound.  Use of automobile parts on boat engines is not acceptable.  The engine horsepower must not exceed that shown on the boat capacity plate. OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION

33. Safe Electrical System:  The electrical system must be protected by fuses or manual reset circuit breakers.  Switches and fuse panels must be protected from rain or water spray.  Wiring must be in good condition, properly installed with no exposed areas or deteriorated insulation.  Batteries must be secured and terminals covered to prevent accidental arcing. OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION

34. Safe Galley and Heating Systems: System and fuel tanks must be properly secured with no flammable materials nearby. OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION

35. Safe Fuel System:  Portable fuel tanks (normally 7 gallon capacity or less) must be constructed of non-breakable material and free of corrosion and leaks. All vents must be capable of being closed. The tank must be secured and have a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap.  Each permanent fuel tank must be properly ventilated. OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION

36. Marine RadioDewatering Device Anchor & Line First Aid Kit Anchor & Line First Aid Kit RECOMMENDED ITEMS RECOMMENDED ITEMS

37. INLAND WATERS VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS INLAND WATERS VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS  Recommend a day and night distress signal.  Number and type depend on operating conditions.  Alternatives to pyrotechnic devices (flares) include: Night Day Strobe light Signal mirror Flashlight Red or Orange flags Lantern Hand signals RECOMMENDED ITEMS RECOMMENDED ITEMS

38. REPORTING MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE  Loss of life.  Injury requiring more than first aid.  Loss of the boat.  Boat or property damage more than $2,000  Reporting time lines OTHER GOOD STUFF TO KNOW OTHER GOOD STUFF TO KNOW

39.  Have a Float Plan  Offshore operations are different than inland  Nautical Charts and navigation aids  Fuel management  Weather forecast  Boating checklist LET’S TALK A MOMENT LONGER LET’S TALK A MOMENT LONGER

40. HOMELAND SECURITY HOMELAND SECURITY

41. HANDY ITEMS TO HAVE ON-BOARD HANDY ITEMS TO HAVE ON-BOARD YOUR STATE Tool kit Spare prop Fuses Paddle Boat hook Water Sun screen Rain gear

42. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 17% (121) of 2008’s fatalities. #4. SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES

43. FOUR PRINCIPALS OF SAFE BOATING 1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVES Always Wear Your Life Jacket 2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES - Take A Boating Course 3. SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES - Get a Free Vessel Safety Check 4. SAFE & SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES Never Boat Under the Influence

44. Disclaimer: The US Coast Guard and USCG Auxiliary do not endorse any product or brand shown in this presentation. We do endorse responsible boating and ensuring required items are USCG approved. We appreciate our boating safety partners permitting use of their photographs and the National Safe Boating Council posters. PREPARED BY