Either way, you'll also need a decal from your state showing that you have paid the annual registration fee. If your state requires you to show proof that you've taken a mandatory boating safety course, you must carry that card with you as well. And, except for older boats, your vessel should have a manufacturer's capacity plate to show how many people–or how much weight–your boat can carry safely.
PRESTON GEORGEBoat fires are exceedingly common. Vessels with inboard gasoline engines should be equipped with flame arresters and ventilation equipment to make sure fuel vapors don;t settle in the bilge and ignite.
There are many federal and state regulations that may require you to make purchases or modifications, including some that are relatively obscure. For example, many boaters know that it is illegal to pump raw waste from your head overboard in coastal or inland waters (in some states, such as Rhode Island, you may not even use a macerator). But did you know that if your boat has a holding tank, you must lock your Y-valve in position to prevent anyone from pumping the contents of the tank into the water? Or that federal regulations require owners to post a pollution placard (MARPOL placard) in visible places on boats longer than 26 feet. Both are simple to comply with–you can get a placard at almost any boating supply store–but you must be aware of the rules in order to follow them.
If you are unsure whether you have equipped and configured your boat properly, call or visit the website of your local U.S. Power Squadrons (www.usps.org) or U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (nws.cgaux.org) unit and ask them to conduct a "vessel safety check" on your boat.
A knowledgeable vessel examiner will look over your boat. If you pass, you'll get a decal to paste on your windshield or mast. If not, at least you will know what else you need. The safety check is free at both organizations, and neither will get you into trouble. They do not notify maritime authorities if your vessel is not up to snuff.
Another resource may be your marina, which is likely to have a list of federally-required equipment. You also may want to check the boating registration office in your state, or the website run by that office, to find out about additional boating regulations. BoatUS (the Boat Owners Association of the United States) <<
Of course, just carrying proper safety gear isn't enough–you must know how to use it. Everyone on your boat–including guests–should be familiar with the basics, such as life jackets and fire extinguishers. Beneman, at the Coast Guard Auxiliary, recommends conducting routine drills with regular crew members and giving visitors a safety talk and demonstration at the dock, much the way airlines do for their passengers on the runway.
As he put it, "You can't just hope that people discover these things when an emergency occurs."
Art Pine is a veteran journalist who has served as a Washington correspondent for the Baltimore Sun, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times. He is a licensed captain and a longtime Chesapeake Bay sailor.
