Monterey Boats 350 Sport Yacht, Owner'S Manual

Page: 90 / 196

350 SPORT YACHT
90
extra dock lines, flare pistol, life vests, a line per-
manently secured to your ring buoy, etc., could
at some time save your passengers’ lives, or save
your boat from damage. Refer to the “Federal
Requirements And Safety Tips For Recreational
Boats” pamphlet for a more detailed description of
the required equipment. You also can contact
the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Hotline, 800-
368-5647, for information on boat safety courses
and brochures listing the Federal equipment re-
quirements. Also, check your local and state regu-
lations.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a “Courtesy Ex-
amination.” This inspection will help ensure that
your boat is equipped with all of the necessary
safety equipment. The following is a list of the
accessory equipment required on your boat by
the U.S. Coast Guard:
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
PFDs must be Coast Guard approved, in good and
serviceable condition, and of appropriate size for
the intended user. Wearable PFDs must be readily
accessible, meaning you must be able to put them
on in a reasonable amount of time in an emer-
gency. Though not required, the Coast Guard
emphasizes that PFDs should be worn at all times
when the vessel is underway. Throwable devices
must be immediately available for use. All Monterey
boats must be equipped with at least one Type I,
II or III PFD for each person on board, plus one
throwable device (Type IV).
Visual Distress Signals
All boats used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes,
territorial seas, and those waters connected di-
rectly to them, must be equipped with Coast Guard
approved visual distress signals. These signals
are either Pyrotechnic or Non-Pyrotechnic devices.
Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals:
Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be Coast
Guard approved, in serviceable condition, and
readily accessible. They are marked with a date
showing the service life, which must not have ex-
pired. A minimum of three are required. Some
pyrotechnic signals meet both day and night use
requirements. They should be stored in a cool,
dry location. They include:
• Pyrotechnic red flares, hand held or aerial.
• Pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand-held or
floating.
• Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute
flares.
PYROTECHNICS ARE UNIVERSALLY
RECOGNIZED AS EXCELLENT DISTRESS
SIGNALS. HOWEVER, THERE IS POTENTIAL
FOR INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE IF NOT
PROPERLY HANDLED. THESE DEVICES
PRODUCE A VERY HOT FLAME AND THE
RESIDUE CAN CAUSE BURNS AND IGNITE
FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. PISTOL LAUNCHED
AND HAND-HELD PARACHUTE FLARES AND
METEORS HAVE MANY CHARACTERISTICS OF
A FIREARM AND MUST BE HANDLED WITH
CAUTION. IN SOME STATES THEY ARE
CONSIDERED A FIREARM AND PROHIBITED
FROM USE. ALWAYS BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL
AND FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S
INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY WHEN USING
PYROTECHNIC DISTRESS SIGNALS.
Non-Pyrotechnic Devices
Non-Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be in
serviceable condition, readily accessible, and cer-
tified by the manufacturer as complying with U.S.
Coast Guard requirements. They include:
• Orange Distress Flag (Day use only)
The distress flag is a day signal only. It must
be at least 3 x 3 feet with a black square and
ball on an orange background. It is most
distinctive when attached and waved from a
paddle or boat hook.
• Electric Distress Light (Night use only)
The electric distress light is accepted for night
use only and must automatically flash the
international SOS distress signal. Under “Inland
Navigation Rules,” a high intensity white light
flashing at regular intervals from 50-70 times
per minute is considered a distress signal.
Sound Signaling Devices
The navigation rules require sound signals to be
made under certain circumstances. Recreational
vessels also are required to sound fog signals dur-
ing periods of reduced visibility. Therefore, you
must have some means of making an efficient
sound signal.
Navigation Lights
Recreational boats are required to display naviga-
tion lights between sunset and sunrise and other
periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc.)
Navigation lights are intended to keep other ves-
sels informed of your presence and course. Your
boat is equipped with navigation lights required