2024 Watercraft Regulations - 11

2 0 24 WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS
an arc of the horizon of one hundred twelve and five tenths
degrees (112.5o
ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5o
), and fixed as to show the light from directly
) aft the
beam on the port side. Each light shall be fitted with inboard
screens of sufficient height set to prevent light from being
seen across the bow.
iii. Every white light referred to in this section shall be visible at a
distance of at least two (2) miles and every colored light shall be
visible at a distance of one (1) mile.
iv. Sailboats, when propelled by sail alone, shall exhibit the following
lights: On the starboard side, a green light and on the port
side a red light to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon
from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees
(22.5o
) aft the beam. Sailboats shall also carry at the stern a white
light to show the light sixty-seven and five tenths degrees (67.5
o
) from aft on each side of the watercraft. In a small sailboat if it is
not possible on account of bad weather or other sufficient causes
for the light to be fixed, sailboats shall carry ready at hand a
lantern or flashlight to show a white light that shall be exhibited
in sufficient time to avoid collision. Sailboats less than forty (40)
feet in length may carry a combined light in lieu of separate side
lights.
v. All manually propelled watercraft operated between sunset and
sunrise shall have ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show
a white light that shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid
collision.
vi. All watercraft at anchor or adrift between sunset and sunrise,
unless anchored at a designated site such as a marina, shoreline,
etc., shall display in the front of the watercraft or where it
can best be seen a white light to show all around the horizon
and visible for two (2) miles.
b. Every gasoline engine installed in a motorized watercraft after April
25, 1940, except outboard motors, shall be equipped with an efficient
means of backfire flame control. Installations made before November
19, 1952, need not meet the detailed requirements of this
subsection and may be continued in use as long as they are in good
and serviceable condition. The following are acceptable means of
backfire flame control for gasoline engines:
i. A backfire flame arrester approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The
flame arrester shall be suitably secured to the air intake with
flame tight connections;
ii. An engine air and fuel intake system that provides adequate protection
from propagation of backfire flame to the atmosphere
equivalent to that provided by an approved flame arrester. A
gasoline engine that has such an air and fuel intake system and
that is to be operated without a U.S. Coast Guard approved
flame arrester shall be labeled to meet requirements of the U.S.
Coast Guard; and,
iii. Any attachment to the carburetor or location of the engine air
intake by means of which flames caused by engine backfire
shall be dispersed to the atmosphere outside the motorized
watercraft in such a way that the flames shall not endanger the
motorized watercraft, persons on board, nearby watercraft or
structures. All attachments shall be of metal with flametight connections
and firmly secured to withstand vibration, shock and
engine backfire. Such installations do not require formal U.S.
Coast Guard approval, but shall be accepted by law enforcement
officers on the basis of this subsection.
c. All motorized watercraft, except open boats, shall have at least two
(2) ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or their equivalent for the efficient
removal of explosive or flammable gases from the bilges of
every engine and fuel tank compartment. There shall be at least one
(1) exhaust duct installed so as to extend from the open atmosphere
to the lower portion of the bilges and at least one (1) intake duct
installed so as to extend to a point at least midway to the bilge or
at least below the level of the carburetor air intake. The cowls shall
be located and trimmed for maximum effectiveness to prevent displaced
fumes from being recirculated. As used in this subsection,
the term " open boat " means those motorized watercraft that have
all engine and fuel tank compartments and other spaces in which
explosive or flammable gases and vapors could form open to the
atmosphere so as to prevent the entrapment of such gases and vapors
within the motorized watercraft.
d. Motorized watercraft shall be provided with an efficient sound producing
device as set forth in this subsection:
Class of Motorized Watercraft Type of Device
A & B Mouth, hand or power operated device capable of producing a blast of two
(2) seconds or more duration and audible for at least one half (1/2) mile.
C Hand or power operated device capable of producing a blast of two (2)
seconds or more duration and audible for at least one (1) mile.
D Hand or power operated device capable of producing a blast of two (2)
seconds or more duration and audible for at least one (1) mile.
e. All watercraft shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal
flotation device of a suitable size for each person on board.
Wearable personal flotation devices shall be used in accordance with
any U. S. Coast Guard approval label requirements. All U.S. Coast
Guard approved personal flotation devices shall be readily accessible,
in good serviceable condition and shall not be waterlogged, torn,
or have straps, buckles, zippers or ties broken or missing.
i. Watercraft sixteen (16) feet and over in length shall have a minimum
of one (1) U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable device
(unless otherwise provided by this regulation), on board the watercraft,
in addition to a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable
personal flotation device of a suitable size for each person on
board. Watercraft sixteen (16) feet and over in length being utilized
in Class II and above whitewater are exempt from having
a minimum of one (1) U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable device
if the watercraft has a safety throw rope. Class II whitewater
means novice straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels
that are evident without scouting; occasional maneuvering
may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily
missed by trained paddlers; swimmers are seldom injured and
group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed; rapids that
are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated Class
II.
ii. All persons aboard personal watercraft and all persons being
towed by or riding in the wake of a watercraft shall wear a U.S.
Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of a
suitable size while engaged in such activity. All persons utilizing
water sport toys are exempt from the requirement of carrying a
U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device
unless the water sport toy is being towed by a watercraft.
iii. Requirement For Life Jacket Wear By Children.
A. No person shall operate a watercraft underway with any child
aboard twelve (12) years old or younger unless each child is
either wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal
flotation device or is riding in an enclosed cabin.
f. Operators of motorized watercraft shall display a fluorescent orange
flag, at least twelve (12) inches by twelve (12) inches in size, above
the motorized watercraft anytime persons towed on water-skis, water
sport toys, or other contrivances are down in the water to warn
other watercraft operators of the situation. The operator of the motorized
watercraft shall ensure the flag is displayed in such a manner
that it is visible three hundred sixty degrees (360o
torized watercraft and to the person in the water.
) around the mog.
Fire extinguishers.
i. Fire extinguishers shall be carried in all watercraft of closed construction.
ii.
Dry chemical fire extinguishers utilized on watercraft which do
not exhibit gauges or devices indicating the amount of pressure
in the extinguisher shall be weighed and display a tag that indicates
the extinguisher has been weighed within the immediately
preceding six (6) months. If the weight of a fire extinguisher is
one-quarter (1/4) ounce less than that stamped on the container,
11
2024 Watercraft Regulations

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