Chaparral 420 PREMIERE, Owner'S/Operator'S Manual

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Safety Equipment
The following equipment is required on all boats:
• Fire extinguishers
• Personal flotation devices (PFDs)
• Navigation lights
• Visual distress signals
• Sound signaling device
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
film 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 sub-
ject to a penalty.
Disposal of Plastics and Other Garbage
Plastic refuse dumped in the water can kill fish and
marine wildlife and foul vessel propellers and cool-
ing water intakes. Other forms of waterborne
garbage can litter beaches and cause illness. U.S.
Coast Guard regulations therefore strictly prohibit
dumping plastic refuse or other garbage 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 float;
and any garbage except dishwater, gray water, and
fresh fish parts.
Between 3 and 12 miles it is illegal to dump plastic,
dunnage, lining, and packing materials that float;
and any garbage not ground to less than one square
inch.
Between 12 and 25 miles it is illegal to dump plas-
tic, dunnage, and packing materials that float.
Beyond 25 miles it is illegal to dump plastic.
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued these regulations
to implement Annex V of the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships (1973), commonly known as Annex V of the
MARPOL (Marine Pollution) Treaty 73/78. It applies
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 Economic Zone (200
miles).
If your boat is 26 feet or more in length, regulations
require U.S. recreational boaters to attach one or
more Coast Guard Trash Dumping Restrictions
placards to your boat. The placard warns against
the discharge of plastic and other garbage within
U.S. navigable waters and specifies discharge
restrictions beyond the territorial sea (generally
within 3 or more nautical miles of shore).
The placard must also contain the warning that a
person violating these requirements is liable for civil
and criminal penalties. The placard must also state
that local regulations may further restrict the dis-
charge of garbage. You may purchase these plac-
ards from local marinas, boat dealers, or marine
equipment suppliers.
The U.S. Coast Guard has also issued regulations
requiring boats to have a sanitation system on board
to control pollution. Wastes are to be stored in a hold-
ing tank or other device, such as a Porta-Potti
®
, until
the device can be can be pumped out or otherwise
disposed of at a shore facility. Discharging this waste
overboard is, in most cases, prohibited. Check with
the U.S. Coast Guard regarding regulations in your
area.
OWNER’S LOGS AND RECORDS
At the end of this chapter are three forms which you
will find very helpful.
Use the Boat Data Record to record all important
information about your boat and the major compo-
nents installed. After you have entered all the data,
remove this form from your Owner’s Manual and
store in a safe place. Do not keep this form aboard
your boat.
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