Wellcraft 180 Sportsman, Owner'S Manual

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Chapter 8:
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
8.1 General
Your boat has been equipped with safety equipment
designed to enhance the safe operation of the boat and
to meet U.S. Coast Guard safety standards. The Coast
Guard or state, county, and municipal law enforcement
agencies require certain additional accessory safety
equipment on each boat. This equipment varies
according to length and type of boat and type of
propulsion. The accessory equipment typically required
by the Coast Guard is described in this chapter. Some
local laws require additional equipment. It is important
to obtain “Federal Requirements And Safety Tips for
Recreational Boats”, published by the Coast Guard, and
copies of state and local laws, to make sure you have
the required equipment for your boating area.
8.2 Required Safety Equipment
Besides the equipment installed on your boat by
Wellcraft, certain 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 Requirements And Safety Tips for Recreational
Boats” pamphlet for more detailed description of the
required equipment. You also can contact the U.S. Coast
Guard Boating Safety Hotline, 800-368-5647, for more
information on boat safety courses and brochures listing
the Federal equipment. 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 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 emergency. 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 Wellcraft 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)
In addition to the requirements set by the Coast Guard,
individual states may have additional requirements for
children and specific types of recreational activity. Please
visit www.nasbla.org for state laws.
Visual Distress Signals
All 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 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
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