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Coast Guard Laws 699

— IT'S THE LAW —

IN THE PAST FEW YEARS THE U.S. COAST GUARD HAS PASSED TWO SIGNIFICANT LAW CHANGES
DEALING WITH SAFETY FOR BOATERS. THESE LAWS EFFECT BOTH COMMERCIAL AND RECREATION-
AL VESSELS ALIKE. BELOW WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SIMPLIFY THESE RULINGS SO THAT EVERY
BOATER CAN COMPLY IN THE SIMPLEST WAY TO SUIT THEIR NEEDS.
I. LIGHTS AND RETROREFLECTIVE MATERIAL FOR LIFE PRESERVERS AND OTHER LIFE-SAVING
EQUIPMENT
After June 30, 1980, all U.S. Registered (inspected) Commercial Vessels voyaging on the ocean, coastwise, Great Lakes, etc.
must have Life preservers equipped with Coast Guard approved P.F.D. lights and Retro-reflective Material.
These regulations also apply to Commercial Uninspected Vessels including those carrying six or less passengers for hire. The
lifesaving equipment regulations allow these vessels a choice of carrying different types of P.F.Ds.
The only exception to these are that P.F.D. (Personal Floatation Device) Lights are not required on ferries and small passenger
carrying vessels (inspected charter fishing boats, tour boats, etc.) certified for limited routes not extending more than 20 miles
from a "Harbor of Safe Refuge"; however, Retro-Reflective Material will be required on all.
Each light required by this section must be securely attached to the front shoulder area of a life preserver. Exception: each light
designed to operate while detached from a P.F.D. must have a lanyard of at least 750mm (30 in.) in length.
The Power Source (battery) Requirements specify replacement of a light or its power source on or before the date the power
source reaches one half of its storage life. Power sources must carry manufacturers date and expiration date.
WHAT EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS?
A. TYPE 1 LIFE JACKETS W/RETRO-REFLECTIVE TAPE
1. Foam Filled Life Preservers — See Fig. 3783 & 8074
2. Molded Life Preservers — See Fig. 685
3. Retro-reflective Tape Kit –- See Fig. 7940 & 9267
B. PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE LIGHTS AND BATTERIES
1. ACR Firefly PRO — See Fig. 3927
2. Strobe Light — See Fig. 3926, 3925 or 8958
3. ACR Rescue Light — See Fig. 5149
4. CAL-JUNE Rescue Light — See Fig. 6418

II. 33CFR175.101 VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS REQUIRED; EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1981
A. No person may use a boat 16 feet or more in length or any boat carrying six or less passengers for hire unless visual dis-
tress signals selected from the list in 175.130 or the alternatives in 175.135, in the number required, are on board. Devices
suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, or devices suitable for both day and night use must be carried.
B. Between sunset and sunrise, no person may use a boat less than 16 feet in length unless visual distress signals suitable for
night use, selected from the list in 175.130 or 175.135, in the number required, are on board.
175.135 EXISTING EQUIPMENT
A. The following types of non-approved pyrotechnic devices will be acceptable as meeting 175.110 until July 1, 1982 so long
as they remain in good and serviceable condition:
1. Pyrotechnic aerial red flares, either hand-held or pistol-projected, for "day and night" signal requirement.
2. Pyrotechnic hand-held or floating orange smoke, for "day only" signal requirement.
3. Signal pistols for use with cartridges accepted as meeting 175.110.

Federal Register TABLE 175.130 Number
Device description Accepted for Use required to COAST GUARD LAWS
be carried
Number marked on device:
160.021 .Hand-Held Red Flare Distress Signals ......................................................Day and Night................3
160.022 .Floating Orange Smoke Distress Signals .................................................Days Only.......................3
160.024 .Pistol-Projected Parachute Red Flare Distress Signals 1 ...........................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 Signal for Boats, Red Aerial Pyrotechnic Flare 2 ........................Day and Night................3
160.072 .Distress Signal for Boats, Orange Flag.....................................................Day Only.........................1
161.013 .Electric Distress Light for Boats.................................................................Night Only ......................1
1 These signals require use in combination with a suitable launching device approved under 46 CFR 160.028.
2 These devices may be either self-contained or pistol launched, and either meteor or parachute assisted
type. Some of these signals may require use in combination with a suitable launching device approved
under 46 CFR 160.028.
WHAT EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS?
A. ORION 25MM Alert/Locate Kit — See Fig. 9130 No. 511
B. ORION 12GA Alert/Locate Kit — See Fig. 9130 No. 544
C. ORION Locate Kit — See Fig. 4289 No. 534
D. ORION Alert Kit — See Fig. 3286 No. 572
E. ORION Numerous Approved Items — See Fig. 7934
F. ORION Orange Distress Flag — See Fig. 7931 No. 925