coastal sailing requirements

tnc110 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009

I am planning a week trip sailing the fl keys in november and want to know what i have to have on board to be legal. I have a 22 ft boat with a 9.9 outboard. What is required such as fire extinguisher?, signalling flares?, horn? flotation devices? etc....

Also, what do I need as far as lights? Bi colored bow light, white stern and???...do i have to have a mast light?...what do i need as far as lights if i decide to anchor out over night?

doubleeboy · #2 (**permalink**) 08-03-2009

You might want to do a google search. A good place to start would be US Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron. Your local library likely has boating books, any number of which would have the pertinent data.

Besides the list you have above, a VHF radio and charts would be highly advisable as would a first aid kit, wood plugs for any thru hulls, if you don't already have these items.

michael

sailingfool · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009

Give this program a shot:
Vessel Safety Check

sailordave · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnc110

I am planning a week trip sailing the fl keys in november and want to know what i have to have on board to be legal. I have a 22 ft boat with a 9.9 outboard. What is required such as fire extinguisher?, signalling flares?, horn? flotation devices? etc....

Also, what do I need as far as lights? Bi colored bow light, white stern and???...do i have to have a mast light?...what do i need as far as lights if i decide to anchor out over night?

No offense, but while I applaud your seeking out information... I wonder why you don't already know most if not all of this. And I wonder if this shows a lack of experience in boating and seamanship. It just sounds like you bought a boat and are just going to hop on board and go cruising. I'm NOT one of those people who think you have to have years of training to leave the dock, but these pages are full of stories of folks who bit off more than they could chew. While I DON'T know what your experience level is, asking a question like this leads me to think you don't have much experience. I highly encourage you to sail in familiar waters as much as possible in different conditions for a while. And research requirements for a boat like yours. Try looking it up yourself. Asking everyone to tell you the answers isn't as good a teacher as learning it yourself.

Again, no offense intended. Good luck.

sailingSammy · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009

A good understanding of nav aides, bouys and lights, would be helpful. The ICW can be confusing as you may think you are traveling "the wrong way" if you can't distingush between the ICW bouys and the regular ones. Charts are a necessity, you can be finded heavily if you damage seagrass or coral. Also a Florida saltwater fishing license if you plan to fish. You can get one on line or by phone. Your boat must be registered and if you have a dingy with an outboard it must also be registered.
Richardsons has a chart book of the East Coast of Florida and the Keys including the Dry Tortugas.

RealityCheck · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009

You should Really consider a class on basic seamanship. These are frequently offered by many CG Aux and Power Squadrons and are very low cost. It has been awhile since I last attended one but as I recall it was about $25.00 and took about 2 or 3 evenings. Great Class and it will have all the answers to your questions PLUS lots you may not have know to ask.

Boating in the Florida Keys can be lots of fun, I've done it several times all the way from St. Augustine to Dry Tortuga's/ Fort Jefferson in small boats. It also is Not like a trip across a lake. Biscayne Bay can be like a high seas sail and short notice depending on fronts moving through. Depths vary greatly and you have lots of coral heads, week end power boaters and often some very large boats tossing up large wakes within narrow channels. This class will help you with much of this.

Also consider the purchase of a Waterways Guide of the Keys. Not sure which one is the best now but some great ones exist showing every mile of the waterway from Miami through the keys, what to see and what to avoid with good maps and way-point information. I'm speaking of a Marine guide not a road guide.

rodgerdodger · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnc110

I am planning a week trip sailing the fl keys in november and want to know what i have to have on board to be legal. I have a 22 ft boat with a 9.9 outboard. What is required such as fire extinguisher?, signalling flares?, horn? flotation devices? etc....

Also, what do I need as far as lights? Bi colored bow light, white stern and???...do i have to have a mast light?...what do i need as far as lights if i decide to anchor out over night?

The coast guard aux walked up to me on the dock last weekend and asked If I wanted to have a safety inspection. It was really helpful. They gave me some of the stickers I was missing, and pointed out that I only had one fire extinguisher instead of two, and that I needed a function anchor light whether or not I anchor at night.

Also the DMV here in CA has a book on boating that covers all the local laws and requirements.

tnc110 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009

I have taken a boating safety coarse administered by the wildlife commission in PA. But that was almost 10 yrs ago...and at the time i wasnt at all interested in sailing...all I cared about was getting my certification so i could operate a pwc...wish i paid more attention now...

Barquito · #9 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009

If I remember correctly CG requires: One B-I fire extinguisher, PFD for all on board, Type IV PFD, bow R/G light, stern white light (or masthead tricolor), steaming light (midway up mast), anchor light, correct gas storage...am I forgetting anything?

However, you REALLY should have other basics: VHF, local charts, GPS, safety harness... and much more depending on your desired margin of safety and comfort. (like maybe and anchor!)

On the other hand, if you take all the advice from all the posts on this forum regarding cruising equipment, you would probably sink your boat!

pegasus1457 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodgerdodger

The coast guard aux walked up to me on the dock last weekend and asked If I wanted to have a safety inspection. It was really helpful. They gave me some of the stickers I was missing, and pointed out that I only had one fire extinguisher instead of two, and that I needed a function anchor light whether or not I anchor at night.

Also the DMV here in CA has a book on boating that covers all the local laws and requirements.

They were in error. The USCG Nav Rules do not require a masthead light except when it must be illuminated when anchoring outside an established anchorage at night. Look here:

Navigation Rules