BOATING SAFETY BASICS from the U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

1. BOATING SAFETY BASICS from the U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

2. FOUR PRINCIPALS OF SAFE BOATING • 1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVESAlways Wear Your Life Jacket • 2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES - • Take A Boating Course • SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES -Get a Free Vessel Safety Check • 4. SAFE & SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVESNever Boat Under the Influence

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

4. #2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES 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.

5. BOATER EDUCATION BY STATE MANDATORY BOATER EDUCATION

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

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

8. #3. SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES LET’S REVIEW REQUIRED ITEMS FOR BOATS 16’ - 26’ SOME REQUIREMENTS INCREASE FOR LARGER BOATS 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

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

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

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

12. LIFE JACKETS (PFD’s) • 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 13 in most states. Check your state’s requirement. • Must be age 16 or older to wear an inflatable.

13. GOOD & SERVICABLE CONDITION

14. RIGHT SIZE FOR INTENDED USE

15. READILY ACCESSIBLE

16. INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS

17. INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS • 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. TYPE I: OFFSHORE LIFE JACKETS 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.

19. TYPE II: NEAR SHORE VESTS • 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.

20. TYPE III: FLOTATION AIDS • 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.

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 Throw cushion Ring buoy

22. TYPE V: SPECIAL USE DEVICES • 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!!!

23. VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS • 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. Night & Day Signals RED METEOR RED FLARE Day Signals ORANGE SMOKE ORANGE FLAG

24. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS • 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.

25. VENTILATION • 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.

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

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

28. NAVIGATION LIGHTS • 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.

29. LARGER BOATS 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.

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

31. STATE/LOCAL REQUIREMENTS 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.

32. OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION • 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.

33. OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION • 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.

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

35. OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION 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.

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

37. RECOMMENDED ITEMS 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

38. OTHER GOOD STUFF TO KNOW • 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

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

40. HOMELAND SECURITY

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

42. #4. SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVES 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.

43. FOUR PRINCIPALS OF SAFE BOATING • 1. WEARING LIFE JACKETS SAVES LIVESAlways Wear Your Life Jacket • 2. BOATER EDUCATION SAVES LIVES - • Take A Boating Course • SAFE BOATS SAVE LIVES -Get a Free Vessel Safety Check • 4. SAFE & SOBER BOATING SAVES LIVESNever Boat Under the Influence

44. PREPARED BY 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. Questions?