PURSUIT C238, Owner'S Manual

Page: 47 / 118

Safety Equipment
9-5
Section 9
C238
of prescription drugs or other medical sup-
plies you carry. Replace old supplies
whether they have been used or not.
In many emergency situations, the Coast
Guard can provide assistance in obtaining
medical advice for treatment of serious inju-
ries or illness. If you are within VHF range of
a Coast Guard Station, make the initial con-
tact on channel 16 and follow their instruc-
tions.
9.7 Required Safety Equipment
In addition to items installed by Pursuit, cer-
tain other equipment is required by the U.S.
Coast Guard to help ensure passenger
safety. Items like a sea anchor, working
anchor, extra dock lines, flare pistol, life
vests, a line permanently secured to your
ring buoy, etc., could at some time save your
passengers’ lives, or save your boat from
damage. Refer to the “Federal Require-
ments and Safety Tips for Recreational
Boats” pamphlet for a more detailed descrip-
tion of the required equipment. You can also
contact the U.S. Coast Guard Boating
Safety Hot line, 800-368-5647, for informa-
tion on boat safety courses and brochures
listing the Federal equipment requirements.
Also, check your local and state regulations.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a “Cour-
tesy Examination.” This inspection will help
ensure your boat is equipped with all of the
necessary safety equipment.
The following is a list of the accessory equip-
ment required on your boat by the U.S.
Coast Guard:
Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's)
PFD's must be Coast Guard approved, in
good and serviceable condition, and of
appropriate size for the intended user. Wear-
able PFD's 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 PFD's should be
worn at all times when the vessel is under-
way. Throwable devices must be immedi-
ately available for use. All Pursuit boats
must be equipped with at least one Type I, II
or III PFD for each person onboard, plus one
throwable device (Type IV).
Visual Distress Signals
All Pursuit boats used on coastal waters, the
Great Lakes, territorial seas, and those
waters connected directly 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 condi-
tion and readily accessible. They are
marked with a date showing the service life,
which must not have expired. A minimum of
three are required. Some pyrotechnic sig-
nals meet both day and night use require-
ments. They should be stored in a cool, dry
location. They include;
• pyrotechnic red flares, hand held or aer-
ial.
• pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand-held or
floating.
• launchers for aerial red meteors or para-
chute flares.
Pyrotechnics are universally recognized as
excellent distress signals. However, there is
potential for injury and property damage if
not handled properly. These devices pro-
duce 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 characteris-
tics of a firearm and must be handled with
caution. In some states they are considered
a firearm and prohibited from use. Make
sure you are careful and follow the manufac-
turer's instructions when using pyrotechnic
distress signals.