Carver 396 Motor Yacht 2003, Owner'S Manual

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11
3808 6/02
S
ECTION
1 B
OATING
S
AFETY
More information on radio communications can be found
in Chapman’s Piloting .
Distress Signals
The operator is required to lend assistance to a craft in
distress as long as your life or boat is not put in harm’s
way in the process. Good Samaritan laws protect you
from any liability incurred while giving aid.
NOTE: Federal law requires you to provide and main-
tain safety equipment onboard your boat. Consult U.S.
Coast Guard, state and local regulations to ensure your
boat has all required safety equipment onboard. You
must learn about any additional recommended equip-
ment before operating the boat.
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
There must be one U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable
personal flotation device of Type I, II, or III for each
person onboard your boat. The PFDs must be readily
accessible and in serviceable condition. They must also
be of a suitable size for each person onboard. Three
PFDs (two wearable and one throwable) are required
regardless of the number of persons onboard.
PFD Type I, Wearable: This offshore life jacket is
most effective for all waters when rescue may be de-
layed. In the water, its design turns most unconscious
people from a facedown position to a vertical or face-up
position.
PFD Type II, Wearable: This near-shore buoyant vest
is intended for calm inland waters where there is a
chance of quick rescue. It turns its wearer to a face-up
position, but the turning action is not as pronounced as
the Type I, and it will not turn as many people under
the same conditions as a Type I.
PFD Type III, Wearable: Classified as a flotation aid,
this PFD will not turn a victim to a face-up position.
This type of PFD is frequently used in water sports.
PFD Type IV, Throwable: You must also have on-
board at least one throwable PFD Type IV device. The
design of the Type IV device does not allow it to be worn.
It must be thrown to a person in the water and held by
Safety Equipment