Safety Requirements

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This information was taken from Federal and Massachusetts State boating safety regulations. This assumes that MIT's vessel meets the following criteria:

  • Sailboat with overall length between 12m and 20m (39.4 ft. and 65.6 ft.)
  • Diesel inboard engine
  • No permanently installed fire extinguisher system.


Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs):

  • All recreational vessels must have at least one USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD (life jacket) for every person on board.
  • In addition to the total number of wearable PFDs, one throwable USCG-approved PFD Type IV must be on board and immediately accessible.
  • Children under 13 years old must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD whenever above deck on any vessel underway.
  • All life jackets (PFDs) must be:
    • U.S. Coast Guard–approved, which means clearly marked with the USCG approval number
    • In good and serviceable condition, and used in accordance with its owner's manual
    • Readily accessible, which means you are able to put the life jacket on quickly in an emergency
    • Of the proper size for the intended wearer; sizing for life jackets is based on body weight and chest size

REFERENCE:

  • Code of Federal Regulations Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters
  • 33 CFR 175.15 (Chapter 1 - Subchapter S - Part 175 - Subpart B) Personal flotation devices required.

Navigation Lights and Shapes

The required navigation lights must be displayed between sunset and sunrise and in periods of restricted visibility such as fog or heavy rain.

Sailing vessel underway (night):

  • Red (port) and green (starboard) sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles.
  • White sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles.
  • Optional (but very rarely used): two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower green, at or near the top of the mast, where they can be best seen.

Sailing vessel underway - alternate configuration (night):

  • A white, red, and green all-round light ("tricolor") at or near the top of the mast, visible from a distance of at least two miles.
  • Tri-color light shall not be used in conjunction with sidelights and sternlight.

Sailboat underway under power (night):

  • Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles.
  • White sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles.
  • White forward masthead light visible from a distance of at least three miles.

Sailboat making way under sail and engine (day):

  • Forward, where it can best be seen, a conical shape, apex downward.
  • Inland rules: required for sailing vessels over 12 m (39.4 ft) in length.
  • International rules: required for all vessels propelled by both sail and engine.

At anchor:

  • All-round white light where it can best be seen, visible from a distance of at least two miles.

REFERENCE:

Fire Extinguishers

The vessel must have, at a minimum, either of:

  • Three B-I fire extinguishers

or

  • One B-I and one B-II fire extinguishers

Approved types of fire extinguishers are identified by the following marking on the label — “Marine Type USCG Approved” — followed by the size and type symbols (B-I or B-II) and the approval number. Type B (for "boil") is designed to extinguish flaming liquids such as gasoline, oil, and grease.

Extinguishers should be placed in an accessible area — not near the engine or in a compartment, but where they can be reached immediately.

All fire extinguishers must be fully charged and in good condition.

Fire extinguishers must be stored in a dedicated bracket.

REFERENCE:

Equipment for Sound Signals

  • A vessel of 12 meters or more in length shall be provided with a whistle, which meets the federal technical requirements.
  • The range of audibility of a whistle for vessels under 20 m shall be no less than 0.5 nautical miles.
  • If making way in restricted visibility under power, sound at intervals of not more than two minutes one prolonged blast.
  • If making way in restricted visibility under sail, sound at intervals of not more than two minutes three blasts: one prolonged, followed by two short.

REFERENCE:

  • US Coast Guard Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook (ISBN: 9780160925665)
  • Equipment for sound signals - rule 33; Sound signals in restricted visibility - rule 35; Technical details - Annex III (33 CFR 86).
  • See also maneuvering and warning signals for power-driven vessels - rule 34.

Visual Distress Signals (VDS)

Day-use approved visual distress signals are required in coastal waters, and night-use visual distress signals are required if the vessel is operated between sunset and sunrise. Visual distress signals must be readily accessible.

Acceptable pyrotechnic signal devices include:

  • Hand held red flare distress signals (day or night use)
  • Parachute red flare distress signals (day or night use)
  • Hand held rocket-propelled parachute red flare distress signals (day or night use)
  • Floating orange smoke distress signals (day use only)
  • Hand held orange smoke distress signals (day use only)
  • Red aerial pyrotechnic flare (day and night use)

Acceptable non-pyrotechnic visual distress signals include:

  • Orange distress flag with black circle and black square (day use only)
  • Electric distress light with automatic SOS signalling function (night use only)

Note: If pyrotechnic devices are selected, a minimum of three must be carried. Pyrotechnic devices come with an expiration date, which is 42 months from the date of manufacture. To meet carriage requirements, you must have at least three un-expired devices aboard. You may carry expired flares as back up, but they will not count towards the legal requirement.

PROHIBITED USE: It is illegal to display visual distress signals in any circumstances except when assistance is needed because of immediate or potential danger to the persons on board.

REFERENCE:

  • Code of Federal Regulations Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters§
  • 33 CFR 175.110 (Chapter 1 - Subchapter S - Part 175 - Subpart C) VDS required, 175.130 VDS accepted, 175.140 Prohibited use.

Navigation Rules

The vessel shall carry on board and maintain for ready reference a copy of the Inland Navigation Rules.

REFERENCE:

  • Code of Federal Regulations Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters
  • 33 CFR 83.01 to 90.7 (Chapter 1 - Subchapter E - Parts 83 to 90) Inland Navigation Rules, 83.01 Application (Rule 1), 83.01(g) Required to carry.

Placards

MARPOL Trash Placard

A durable sign (at least 4 x 9 inches) must be displayed in a prominent location to notify passengers and crew about garbage dumping restrictions of the Marine Pollution Act (MARPOL):

Area It is illegal to dump:
Within within 3 nautical miles of shore Plastic, paper, rags, glass, metal, crockery, dunnage (lining and packing material, nets, lines, etc.), and food
Between 3 and 12 nautical miles from shore Plastic and any other garbage that is greater than one inch in size
Between 12 and 25 nautical miles from shore Plastic and dunnage
Beyond 25 nautical miles Plastic

Oil Discharge Placard

A durable sign (at least 5 x 8 inchs) must be placed in the machinery area or near the bilge pump control switch stating:

Discharge of Oil Prohibited
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste upon or into any navigable waters of the U.S. The prohibition includes any discharge which causes a film or discoloration of the surface of the water or causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are subject to substantial civil and/or criminal sanctions including fines and imprisonment.


External Links

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