Everglades 455 CC, Owner'S Manual

Page: 13 / 200

13
Registration and Numbering
Federal law requires that all undocumented ves-
sels equipped with propulsion machinery be regis-
tered in the state of principal use. A certificate of
number will be issued upon registering the boat.
These numbers must be displayed on your boat.
The owner/operator of a boat must carry a valid
certificate of number whenever the boat is in use.
When moved to a new state of principal use, the
certificate is valid for 60 days.
In order to be valid, the numbers must be installed
to the proper specifications. Check with your
dealer or state boating authority for numbering
requirements. The Coast Guard issues the cer-
tificate of number in Alaska; all others are issued
by the state.
Insurance
In most states the boat owner is legally respon-
sible for damages or injuries he or someone else
operating the boat causes. Responsible boaters
carry adequate liability and property damage in-
surance for their boat. You should also protect the
boat against physical damage and theft. Some
states have laws requiring minimum insurance
coverage. Contact your dealer or state boating
authority for information on the insurance require-
ments in your boating area.
Reporting Boating accidents
All boating accidents must be reported by the op-
erator or owner of the boat to the proper marine
law enforcement authority for the state in which
the accident occurred. Immediate notification is
required if a person dies or disappears as a result
of a recreational boating accident.
If a person dies or there are injuries requiring
more than first aid, a formal report must be filed
within 48 hours.
A formal report must be made within 10 days for
accidents involving more than $500.00 damage
or the complete loss of a boat.
A Boating Accident Report form is located near
the back of this manual to assist you in reporting
an accident. If you need additional information
regarding accident reporting, please visit the
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety web site, www.
uscgboating.org,
Education
If you are not an experienced boater, we recom-
mend that the boat operator and other people
that normally accompany the operator, enroll in a
boating safety course. Organizations such as the
U.S. Power Squadrons, United States Coast Guard
Auxiliary, State Boating Authorities and the Ameri-
can Red Cross offer excellent boating educational
programs. These courses are worthwhile even for
experienced boaters to sharpen your skills or bring
you up to date on current rules and regulations.
They can also help in providing local navigational
information when moving to a new boating area.
Contact your dealer, State Boating Authority or
visit the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety web
site, www.uscgboating.org, for information on
boat safety courses.
Required Equipment
U.S. Coast Guard regulations require certain
equipment on each boat. The Coast Guard also
sets minimum safety standards for vessels and
associated equipment. To meet these standards
some of the equipment must be Coast Guard ap-
proved. “Coast Guard Approved Equipment” has
been determined to be in compliance with USCG
specifications and regulations relating to perfor -
mance, construction or materials. The equipment
requirements vary according to the length, type
of boat and the propulsion system. Some of the
Coast Guard equipment is described in the Safety
Equipment chapter of this manual. For a more
detailed description, obtain “Federal Requirements
And Safety Tips For Recreational Boats” by visit -
ing the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety web site,
www.uscgboating.org.
Some state and local agencies impose similar
equipment requirements on waters that do not
fall under Coast Guard jurisdiction. These agencies
may also require additional equipment that is not
required by the Coast Guard. Your dealer or local
boating authority can provide you with additional
information for the equipment requirements for
your boating area.
OWNER/OPERATOR INFORMATION