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D. ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
No boat should be operated without a complete complement of accessory
equipment. The U.S. Coast Guard requires that each boat, depending upon size,
carry certain approved safety accessories. Other Jaw enforcement agencies -
state, county or municipal -impose similar equipment requirements that do not
fall under Coast Guard jurisdiction.
Personal Flotation Device
All boats must be equipped with a U.S.C.G. approved personal flotation device
for each person on board the boat. Buoyant vests are most highly recommended.
CAUTION: Small children and non-swimmers should be required to wear them at all
times. All persons aboard should have a flotation device readily available when
there is a threat of a storm or when navigating on dangerously rough water.
NOTE: All personal flotation devices must be tagged or marked with a U.S. Coast
Guard approval number.
Navigation lights
Depending on the model, North American Yachts come equipped with navigation
lights to conform to either international or inland lighting rules as required
by the Coast Guard.
Under inland rules a boat is required to show a combination red and green light
forward when underway from sunset to sunrise. This combination light must be
visible from a distance of one mile. A white light visible 360 degrees for two
miles must be displayed aft. This white light must be displayed when anchored
or rowing at night.
NOTE: The above regulations are duplicated by many state boating laws
specifying required equipment for state and local waters not under federal
jurisdiction.
Some local laws require additional equipment. It is important that you obtain a
copy of local laws.
E. RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL GEAR
Important both to safety and convenience are the following items:
Basic Gear
Suitable anchor and anchor line
Flares
Tow line
Bilge pump and bailer
2 lightweight fenders
Oar or paddle
2 mooring lines
Boat Hook
Flashlight
Navigation Gear:
spare fuses
Compass
First Aid Kit
Parallel rulers
Sunburn lotion
Dividers
Portable searchlight
Charts of the area