Sea-doo 230 Challenger 2008, Operator'S Manual, Page: 17 / 160

SAFETY EQUIPMENT
An operator and the boat's passen-
ger(s) should have ready access to
shatterproof glasses should riding
conditions
or personal preference
warrant.
Wind, water spray and speed may
cause a person's eyes to water and
create blurred vision.
As the owner of the boat, you are
responsible for assuring that all re-
quired safety equipment is aboard.
You should also consider supplying
additional equipment as needed for
your safety and that of your passen-
gers. Check state and local regula-
tions and call the U.S. Coast Guard
Boating Safety Information Line at 1
800 368-5647 for information about
required safety equipment.
Required Safety
Equipment
Safety equipment required by federal
regulations is mandatory.
Personal
flotation devices must be fitted to
the people wearing them.
If local
regulations require additional equip-
ment, it must be approved by the
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Minimum
requirements include the following:
– personal flotation devices (PFDs)
– fire extinguisher (classe B-1)
– visual distress signals (VDS)
– navigation lights
– sound producing devices (horn, air
horn or whistle).
A cellular telephone in a waterproof
bag or container has also been found
to be beneficial to boaters when in dis-
tress or just for contacting someone
on shore.
Personal Flotation
Devices (PFDs)
Federal regulations require that you
have at least one Coast Guard ap-
proved personal flotation device (PFD)
for each person in a recreational boat
and require that all children under 13
years of age wear a PFD at all times
when the boat is underway, except
when below deck or in an enclosed
cabin. You may not use your boat
unless all PFDs are in serviceable
condition, readily accessible, legibly
marked with the Coast Guard approval
number, and of an appropriate size
(within the weight range and chest
size marked on the PFD) for each per-
son on board.
A PFD provides buoyancy to help keep
your head above the water and to help
you remain in a satisfactory position
while in the water. Body weight and
age should be considered when se-
lecting a PFD. The buoyancy provid-
ed by the PFD should support your
weight in water. The size of the PFD
should be appropriate for the wearer.
Body weight and chest size are com-
mon methods used to size PFDs. It is
your responsibility to ensure that you
have the proper number and types of
PFDs on board to comply with feder-
al and local regulations and that your
passengers know where they are and
how to use them.
PFD Types
Five types of PFDs have been ap-
proved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
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SAFETY INFORMATION
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