Carver 356 2004, Owner'S Manual

Page: 21 / 225

12
B
OATING
S
AFETY
3307 6/02
S
ECTION
1
the user until rescued. The most common Type IV PFDs
are buoyant cushions or ring buoys. This PFD must be
in serviceable condition and immediately available for
use.
Visual Distress Signals
The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all boats operating
on U.S. coastal waters have visual distress signal
equipment. Boats owned in the United States and
operating on the high seas must also carry this equip-
ment.
Visual distress equipment must be readily accessible
and in serviceable condition. Both pyrotechnic and non-
pyrotechnic equipment must be U.S. Coast Guard
approved. This equipment can become ineffective with
age. If your equipment’s usage date has expired, replace
the equipment before taking your boat out.
Approved pyrotechnic equipment includes:
• Hand held or aerial red flares
• Hand held or floating orange smoke
• Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute
flares.
Approved non-pyrotechnic equipment includes:
• Orange distress flag
• Dye markers
• Electric distress light.
No one signaling device is ideal under all conditions.
Consider carrying various types of equipment. Careful
selection and proper stowage of visual distress equip-
ment are very important. Select devices with packaging
that children, but not adults, will find difficult to open,
especially if young children are onboard.
Sound Signaling Device
Your boat must have an operable device that can pro-
duce a sound signal if conditions require. A horn is
standard equipment on all Carver models.
For boats over 26 feet and under 39 feet, 4 inches, the
device can be hand or power operated and must be able
to produce a four-second blast which can be heard one-