[cjmcfall]

I'll be operating, for the first time, an un-inspected passenger vessel this summer on Lake Michigan. I've recently received my license and this will be the boats first season as a "school ship". Can someone please fill me in on what flares are required? Also, are there any other visual distress signals that are REQUIRED?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Coquina]

Didn't they go over this is USCG license class

 

[eherlihy]

Read this, know this, live this; http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/workflow_staging/Publications/420.PDF

See page 23

 

[cjmcfall]

Coquina- Yeah they did, but reading through the regulations it seems there are a lot of potential different scenarios when it comes to emergency signals.

From the USCG:

No person may use a boat 16 feet or more in length or any boat operating as an
uninspected passenger vessel unless visual distress signals are carried and are readily
accessible. Any of the following distress signals can be used to meet the distress signal
requirements:

a. An electric distress signal light which is Coast Guard-approved and marked to
meet the requirement of 46 CFR 161.013 as a visual night distress signal.
b. An orange flag which has been certified as Coast Guard-approved and marked
meet to the requirements of 46 CFR 160.072 as a visual day distress signal.
c. Pyrotechnics listed in 33 CFR Table 175.130 below. Any combination of the
signal devices selected from subparagraphs a. and b. above and the table,
carried in the number required, meets the requirement. Examples: The
combination of two hand-held red flares (160.021), and one parachute red flare
(160.024 or 160.036) meets both day and night requirements. Three hand
orange smoke (160.037) with one electric distress light (160.013) meets both day
and night requirements.

160.021 Hand-Held Red Flare Distress Signals*** Day and Night 3
160.022 Floating Orange Smoke Distress Signals Day only 3
160.024 Parachute Red Flare Distress Signals Day and Night* 3
160.036 Hand-Held Rocket Propelled Parachute Red Flare
Distress Signals
Day and Night 3
160.037 Hand-Held Orange Smoke Distress Signals Day only 3
160.057 Floating Orange Smoke Distress Signals Day only 3
160.066 Distress Signals for Boats, Red Aerial Pyrotechnic Flares Day and Night** 3

* These signals require use in combination with a suitable launching device
approved and marked under 46 CFR 160.28.
** These devices may be either meteor or parachute assisted type. Some of these
signals may require use in combination with a suitable launching device
approved and marked under 46 CFR 160.028.
*** Must have manufacture date of 1 October 1980 or later.

Eherlihy - I would take your document to mean that there are no additional requirements for uninpsected vessels over recreational boats. Is this the case?

 

[tempest]

If you have 3 red hand held flares that have not expired. ( check the expiration date) They will meet the "minimum" carriage requirements. They sell them in packs of 4 ..go figure.

Beyond that you can/should certainly carry whatever additional emergency signaling devices you deem appropriate.

 

[denverd0n]

I think you should consider the fact that no one here is going to argue the case for you, with the Coast Guard, should they give you a wrong answer. Contacting your local Coast Guard station, and asking them to clarify, would at least give you an answer from the same folks who might be conducting a check of your vessel.

Good luck.

 

[miatapaul]

I think you should consider the fact that no one here is going to argue the case for you, with the Coast Guard, should they give you a wrong answer. Contacting your local Coast Guard station, and asking them to clarify, would at least give you an answer from the same folks who might be conducting a check of your vessel.

Good luck.

And I would ask them to do a voluntary safety check. They will come on board, point out any deficiencies (without any penalty or fines) and make recommendations as to what might be good to have, and most importantly give you an inspection sticker. So if you are out and there are two boats and they can only pull one over they likely will choose the one without the sticker. It is not a guarantee of not being boarded but at least around me it tends to work.

 

[ps23435]

While I am glad you asked the question in order to operate safely and legally, I would be pretty embarrassed calling myself a licensed Captain and not knowing the answer or not knowing how to find it. Begs the question of what else isn't known....

 

[rockDAWG]

While I am glad you asked the question in order to operate safely and legally, I would be pretty embarrassed calling myself a licensed Captain and not knowing the answer or not knowing how to find it. Begs the question of what else isn't known....

I applauded the OP came forward to rectify his short coming. We always start somewhere before we become the best. It is better than those who think they know it all and too embarrassing to the simple questions. Perhaps, this will encourage him to go back to review regs.

 

[christian.hess]

there is a lot of vagueness in some rules and the like

help if you can if not zipp it!

jeje

 

[Barquito]

CJ -
I don't think you mentioned what size boat we are talking about.

 

[Donna_F]

And I would ask them to do a voluntary safety check. They will come on board, point out any deficiencies (without any penalty or fines) and make recommendations as to what might be good to have, and most importantly give you an inspection sticker. So if you are out and there are two boats and they can only pull one over they likely will choose the one without the sticker. It is not a guarantee of not being boarded but at least around me it tends to work.

The CG Auxiliary gives and issues the safety check stickers, not the regular CG. The safety inspection is for recreational boats only, not boats taking on paying passengers for "training" or otherwise.

 

[Capt Len]

IN Canada an uninspected passenger vessel is an oxy moron. If you carry passengers your vessel is inspected by Ships Safety. That includes vessel stability test ,equipment and captains ticket. The courts await non compliance. Although my personal social preference approaches anarchy I agree with this policy