Scout Boats 222 Abaco, Owner'S Manual

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11.5 Required Safety Equipment
Besides the equipment installed on your boat by Scout, cer-
tain other equipment is required by the U.S. Coast Guard to
help ensure passenger safety. Items like a sea anchor, work-
ing anchor, 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 Rec-
reational Boats” pamphlet for a more detailed description of
the required equipment. You can also contact the U.S. Coast
Guard Boating Safety Hotline, 800-368-5647 or 800-336-2628
and 800-245-2628 in Virginia, for information on boat safety
courses and brochures listing the Federal equipment require-
ments. Also, check your local and state regulations.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a “Courtesy Examination.”
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 service-
able 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
emergency. Though not required, the Coast Guard empha-
sizes that PFDs should be worn at all times when the vessel is
underway. Throwable devices must be immediately avail-
able for use. All Scout 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 Scout boats used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, terri-
torial seas, and those waters connected directly to them, must
be equipped with Coast Guard approved visual distress sig-
nals. These signals are either Pyrotechnic or Non-Pyrotech-
nic devices.
Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals
Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be Coast Guard ap-
proved, in serviceable condition, 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 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 certified by the manufac-
turer 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.
Fire Extinguishers
At least one fire extinguisher is required
on all Scout boats. Coast Guard ap-
proved fire extinguishers are hand-por-
table, either B-I or B-II classification
and have a specific marine type mount-
ing bracket. It is recommended that
the extinguishers be mounted in a
readily accessible position.
Fire extinguishers require regular in-
spections to ensure that:
• Seals & tamper indicators are not
broken or missing.
• Pressure gauges or indicators read
in the operable range.