2013 Chaparral SSX Owner’s Manual
Chaparral Boats, Inc.
Nashville, GA
chaparralboats.com
1-5
LAWS AND REGULATIONS
This section of the manual includes general information about govern-
ment regulations. You, the boater, are responsible for complying with the
requirements of federal, state, and local laws. If you have any questions,
contact the U.S. Coast Guard or other appropriate authority.
Boat Registration
Federal and state laws require that every boat having propulsion ma-
chinery of any type must be registered in the main state of usage. Reg-
istration numbers and validation stickers must be displayed on the boat
according to regulations. The registration certifi cate must be carried on
board when the boat is in use.
Safety Equipment
The following equipment is required on all boats:
• Display of Registration Numbers
• Fire extinguishers
• Personal fl otation devices (PFDs)
• Navigation lights
• Visual distress signals
• Sound signaling device
See Chapter 2 for more information about safety equipment.
Discharge of Oil
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or
oily waste into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or the
waters of the contiguous zone if such discharge causes a fi lm or sheen
upon, or a discoloration of, the surface of the water or causes a sludge
or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are subject to a
penalty.
Disposal of Plastics & Other Garbage
Plastic refuse dumped in the water can kill fi sh and marine wildlife and
can foul vessel propellers and cooling water intakes. Other forms of wa-
terborne garbage can litter beaches and cause illness. U.S. Coast Guard
regulations therefore strictly prohibit dumping plastic refuse or other gar-
bage mixed with plastic into the water anywhere. Further, the regulations
restrict the dumping of other forms of garbage within 12 miles from shore
on the east coast, and 9 miles from shore on the west coast.
Within 3 miles of shore and in U.S. lakes, rivers, bays and sounds, it is
illegal to dump plastic, dunnage, lining, and packing materials that fl oat;
and any garbage except dishwater, gray water, and fresh fi sh parts.
Between 3 and 12 miles it is illegal to dump plastic, dunnage, lining, and
packing materials that fl oat; and any garbage not ground to less than one
square inch.
Between 12 and 25 miles it is illegal to dump plastic, dunnage, and pack-
ing materials that fl oat.
Beyond 25 miles it is illegal to dump plastic.
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued these regulations to implement An-
nex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships, 1973, commonly known as Annex V of the MARPOL (Marine Pol-
lution) Treaty 73/78. They apply to all U.S. vessels wherever they operate
(except waters under the exclusive jurisdiction of a state), and foreign
vessels operating in U.S. waters out to and including the Exclusive Eco-
nomic Zone (200 miles).
If your boat is 26 feet or more in length, the regulations require U.S. rec-
reational boaters attach one or more Coast Guard Trash Dumping Re-
strictions placards to your boat. The placard warns against the discharge
of plastic and other garbage within U.S. navigable waters and specifi es
discharge restrictions beyond the territorial sea (generally within 3 or
more nautical miles of shore).