We will display
questions received from our visitors in this section. If you are a member of the Auxiliary
and have questions, please ask them in the Member's Q&A area.
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so if you are just posting SPAM or any form of junk advertising, it will be deleted immediately when we are reviewing
what has been submitted. We can only answer questions relating to federal requirements for recreational boats.
Requirements that are state or local are best answered by the state or local agency, since we have no comprehensive,
up-to-date database on those requirements and regulations. We cannot answer questions about requirements for commercial
vessels and Uninspected Passenger Vesselss as they are not under our program for recreational boats.
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What Authority For Random Boardings , posted: 5/16/2012
Question: I know the Coast Guard and other Federal agencies acting under your authority can conduct random stops for vessel safety checks of recreational boats, but I cannot find the legal authority for these stops. Can you point me in the direction of the appropriate Code of Federal Regulations?
Answer: Any law enforcement agency can stop a vessel under a state or local authority or like the Coast Guard, a federal authority. Those stops are not "Vessel Safety Checks" which we in the Auxiliary do and we only perform them with the permission of the boater and we are not to do them on the water while underway. When we do a vessel safety check, there is no "ticket" given nor is the information turned over to the Coast Guard for any violations we may find, we simply show the boater what they need to do to be compliant and not get a ticket on the water for non-compliance.
An important Coast Guard mission is maritime law enforcement on the high seas and on water subject to Federal laws. Of particular interest are laws dealing with the 200-mile Fishery Conservation Zone, drug smuggling, illegal immigration, and safety and water pollution.
To enforce these laws, the Coast Guard is empowered to board and inspect vessels. Many of the laws can be successfully enforced only by boarding a vessel while it is underway. Boarding's are not necessarily based on suspicion that a violation already exists aboard the vessel. Their purpose is to prevent violations. The courts have consistently upheld this authority. All Coast Guard officers and petty officers are Federal law enforcement officers and they may board any United States vessel anywhere.
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PFD Speed Rating For PWC , posted: 5/14/2012
Question: Is a PFD for a PWC operator required to be strength tested to 100mph if the PWC can exceed 50mph? Most life vests are rated at 50mph, but my ski will exceed 60mph.
Answer: Yes for a PWC to be awarded the VSC decal, the PFD must be strength tested for 100 MPH. Keep in mind, that is the test of the PFD and you don't want to think of that rating as a "human safety" function as the label states "Not tested for personal protection from impact."
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Capacity of Boat , posted: 5/12/2012
Question: I need the weight and motor specs and size on a 1968 bonito 14ft any info would be great.
Answer: For the capacity of your boat:
If the boat does not have a capacity plate, the following formula would be used:
Boat length multiplied by boat width divided by 15
(L x W/15)=
Number of people that can be safely carried in calm waters.
A suitable motor for the size of the boat:
15 - 20 hp (80-120 lbs)
Powerful workhorses that are still considered a part of the small outboard hp class. Outboard engines in this hp range are available primarily in 4-stroke configurations but may limited availability in 2-stroke configurations. Due to 2006 EPA regulations, outboard manufacturers are now required to build cleaner more efficient engines that meet strict emission standards. This hp range is quite popular for use with inflatable boats 10-14ft, aluminum fishing boats 12-16ft, jon boats 12-16ft in length, fiberglass boats 12-16ft in length. These hulls typically require a 15” short shaft length but may require a 20” shaft length as you approach 16ft in length. These hulls typically range in weight from 125-575+ lbs.
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Visual Distress Signals on Inland Waters , posted: 5/9/2012
Question: What are the requirements (Federal and Florida) for carrying visual distress signals for inland waters where the point meeting the coastal waters is less than 2 miles.
Answer: Both are the same, signals are not required on inland waters.
However, it is recommended, even though not required, that boats operating on inland waters should have some means of making a suitable day and night distress signal. The number and type of signals is best judged by considering conditions under which the boat will be operating.
You need to remember, you may have a problem where your engine quits and cannot be restarted and with weather conditions, drift out into open waters with catastrophic results if you have no signals to fall back on. Even in inland protected waters, you could end up spending a very uncomfortable night on the waters without being seen. Without lights on a vessel, you also can be the victim of another boat running into you in the darkness as well. It all comes down to common sense.
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PFDs Required for Six Pack Charter Boat , posted: 5/8/2012
Question: On a 27ft or 30ft charter boat fishing inland waters, what type pfd is needed? will a regular type II with no reflectives on it be acceptable?
Answer: This is outside of the purview of our VSCs for personal pleasure craft but a web search did find your answer. See this PDF file that has the rules for six pack charter boats:
http://www.uscg.mil/pvs/docs/UPV%20JOBAID%20REV5%20OCT07.pdf
Page 16 covers the PFDs and as far as I can see, there is no requirement for reflective material.
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