offshore Coast Guard safety requirements

[hooked]

Now that it's winter and things have calmed down I'm getting my boat ready for next season.

I'm confused about the safety requirement for offshore use. Is it different for that of inshore use (such as bays, inlets, etc...). What sort of extra gear do I need if I go, say 30 miles offshore.

Also, what's the difference between type 1, 2, and 3 lifejackets? I looked at USCG homepage but they're not clear.

Any help would be appreciated.

[JAGSARE1]

The requirements are the same but common sense dictates that you be better prepared for offshore use. I won't list all the requirements here because it is easy to find but I will add some ideas.

First, get Type 1 life vests. These are designed with more buoyancy and will right an unconscious person(no guarantees but they are designed to do this). Take more vests than you need.

Second, build a collection of different types of signaling devices...flares, dye, parachute flares, hand held, mirrors, whistle, etc, etc. Have on board more than you need. Look at the burn time of all your flares and add them all up. 3-5 minutes of total burn time is just not enough.

Third, I put together a ditch bag. It contains my epirb, flares, water, lights, solar blanket, small first aid kit, hand held VHF, etc,etc.

This list is not all inclusive. I have 10 lifevests on the boat at all times. When I go offshore I take 6 more in a large mesh bag with a strap that lays on the bunk in the cabin in the open where it is easily retrieveable. I instruct every passenger on every single trip before we leave the dock that in a worst case scenario, grab 2 things: The ditch bag and the life vest bag. With these things, we have the best chance of surviving until a resue comes. There are other things I have onboard and also in the ditch bag but I think you can see what I am getting at. Good luck. Hopefully you will never need any of this.

FOR SAIL
A 27' Tiara Express...for now

[Jay A]

Fire extinguishers! Also the C.G. requires a manual de-watering device such as hand pumps and pails. Also if you have an inboard or inboard/outboard you need to display a "no discharge of oils" sticker. And for either I/B or O.B. a "No alcohol or drugs" sticker.

[Relentless]

Hooked, your answer all depends on the intent of your voyage. Are you commercial fishing, (selling part of your catch) or recreational. There are common requirements for all vessels such as documentation or registration, Coast Guard Approved PFD's (Type differs depending on voyage), Signalling devices, Fire extinguishers, sound producing device, possibly a bell, Flame arrestor if gasoline I/B or I/O engine, placards such as oil pollution and garbage manifest, if chartering placards about ZT.

In other words there are many and they do differ depending on the voyage. The best thing to do is contact your local Coast Guard Station and speak to a qualified person who can assist you or put you in touch with the boating safety specialist at the District Office or Marine Saafety Office. If you have no luck with this, e-mail me and I will provide you with a number when you let me know where you are located.

Good Luck,

Dave
Charter Boat RELENTLESS

[fredvial]

If you look in a West's marine catalog you will find "West's Advisor" sideboxes that define the CG requirements for different size vessels. This is a good place to start.

I follow a similar plan to JAGSARE1.The ditch bag is loaded with the epirb, handheld vhf,flares, extra batteries for the vhf,airhorn, flashlight,and a short rope to tie us together in the water.Rookies on the boat always get a safety tour/lecture before their first voyage.

Don't skimp on the fire extinguishers.Remember the regs. are minimums.

[ovenman]

Jay A, never heard of having to have a manual dewatering device or "no drugs sticker". Where in the regs did you read that?

old fishermen never die, they just smell that way

[Paul Barnard]

Hooked:

E-mail me at pbarnard@stagulfport.uscg.mil with your boat specifics and I will let you know what all the required equipment is. I'll also give you some other useful info.

Paul Barnard