
20
Safety Equipment
Notice:
You should carry an extra stop switch lan-
yard and instruct at least one other crew
member on the operation of the stop switch
and location of the extra lanyard.
1.5 Required Safety Equipment
Besides the equipment installed on your boat by
Scout, certain other equipment is required by
the U.S. Coast Guard to help ensure passenger
safety. Items like a sea anchor, working anchor,
extra dock lines, are pistol, life vests, a line per-
manently secured to your ring buoy, etc., could
at some time save your passengers’ lives or save
your boat from damage. Refer to the “Federal
Requirements And Safety Tips For Recreational
Boats” pamphlet for a more detailed description
of required equipment. You also can contact the
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Hotline, 800-
368-5647, for information on boat safety courses
and brochures listing the Federal equipment
requirements. Also, check your local and state
regulations.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary oers a “Courtesy Ex-
amination.” This inspection will help ensure that
your boat is equipped with all of the necessary
safety equipment. The following is a list of the
accessory equipment required on your boat by the
U.S. Coast Guard:
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
PFDs must be Coast Guard approved, in good and
serviceable condition and of appropriate size for
the intended user. Wearable PFDs must be read-
ily accessible, meaning you must be able to put
them on in a reasonable amount of time in an
emergency. Though not required, the Coast Guard
emphasizes that PFDs should be worn at all times
when the vessel is underway. Throwable devices
must be immediately available for use. All Scout
boats must be equipped with at least one Type I,
II or III PFD for each person on board, plus one
throwable device (Type IV).
Notice:
Many state laws now require that children
13 years old and under must wear a PFD at
all times.
Anyone being towed on skis, wakeboards and
other water sports equipment is considered
a passenger on the boat and must wear a
Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times.
Visual Distress Signals
All boats used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes,
territorial seas and those waters connected di-
rectly to them, must be equipped with Coast Guard
approved visual distress signals. These signals
are either Pyrotechnic or Non-Pyrotechnic devices.
Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals:
Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be Coast
Guard approved, in serviceable condition and
readily accessible. They are marked with a date
showing the service life, which must not have
expired. A minimum of three are required. Some
pyrotechnic signals meet both day and night use
requirements. They should be stored in a cool,
dry location. They include:
• Pyrotechnic red ares, hand held or aerial.
• Pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand-held or
oating.
• Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute
ares.
PYROTECHNICS ARE UNIVERSALLY RECOGNIZED AS
EXCELLENT DISTRESS SIGNALS. HOWEVER, THERE IS
POTENTIAL FOR INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE IF NOT
PROPERLY HANDLED. THESE DEVICES PRODUCE A VERY
HOT FLAME AND THE RESIDUE CAN CAUSE BURNS AND
IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. PISTOL LAUNCHED AND
HAND-HELDPARACHUTEFLARESANDMETEORSHAVEMANY
CHARACTERISTICS OFA FIREARMAND MUST BE HANDLED
WITH CAUTION. IN SOME STATES THEYARE CONSIDERED
A FIREARM AND PROHIBITED FROM USE. ALWAYS BE
EXTREMELYCAREFULANDFOLLOWTHEMANUFACTURER’S
INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY WHEN USING PYROTECHNIC
DISTRESS SIGNALS.
Non-Pyrotechnic Devices
Non-Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be
in serviceable condition, readily accessible and
certied by the manufacturer as complying with
U.S. Coast Guard requirements. They include:
• Orange Distress Flag (Day use only)
The distress ag is a day signal only. It must
be at least 3 x 3 feet with a black square and
ball on an orange background. It is most
distinctive when attached and waved from a
paddle or boat hook.
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