As boaters, we are all expected to conform to the safety requirements that ensure our vessels are compliant with federal and state regulations.

The US Coast Guard provides information about federal laws and equipment requirements for recreational vessels of the United States. It is important to understand federal equipment requirements to assure the safety of a vessel or its passengers.

We have created a guide that includes requirements and safety equipment to have on board.

VESSEL REGISTRATION AND DOCUMENTATION

There are two methods of registration for U.S. recreational vessels.

Vessel Registration - state-issued Certificate of Number
Vessel Documentation - federally documented with the U.S. Coast Guard

All vessels equipped with engines must be registered in the state where the owner intends to operate in. Your Certificate of Number must be displayed on your vessel on each side of the bow. It is important to remember that a valid Certificate of Number should be on board whenever the vessel is in use. It is best to check with your state boating authority for any specific registration requirements that apply.

The U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation identifies a vessel’s nationality for international purposes, allowing vessels unhindered commerce between the states. To be eligible, recreational vessels need to be wholly owned by a citizen of the United States and be at least five net tons.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

There is a minimum standard for a recreational vessel’s safety equipment that is set by the United States Coast Guard. However, these equipment requirements are considered the minimum, and we recommend that you go above and beyond for the safety of your passengers.

Vessels less than 26 feet in length

Vessels of this size must carry at least one Type I, II, III, or V wearable life jacket for each person on board. The life jackets must meet U.S. Coast Guard standards. In addition, vessels between 16 feet and 26 feet must carry one Type IV throwable device.

Recreational boats less than 16 feet in length are not required to carry day signals. Sailboats less than 26 feet in length are not required to carry day signals. One electric distress light, or three combination day/night red flares, must be on board, and are required when the vessel is operating between sunset and sunrise. In addition, boats between 16 feet and 26 feet should have one orange distress flag, and three hand-held or floating orange smoke signals.

The minimum number of hand-portable fire extinguishers required on vessels less than 26 feet in length is one. There must be a B-I type fire extinguisher mounted in a readily accessible location.

Your vessel must have some means of making a sound signal, whether it be hand-held air horn or whistle. A human voice is not sufficient enough to carry over large distances.

Navigation lights are required to be displayed from sunset to sunrise and in areas of restricted visibility.

Vessels between 26 and 40 feet in length

These vessels must carry at least one Type I, II, III, or V wearable life jacket for each person on board, and at least one Type IV throwable device. It is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held by the user until rescued, for example buoyant cushions, ring buoys, and horseshoe buoys.

On board there should be three day / night red flares (hand-held, meteor, or parachute-type), or one orange distress flag, or one electric distress light, or three hand-held / floating orange smoke signals and one electric distress light. They must carry approved visual distress signals for both daytime and night-time use.

For vessels between 26 and 40 feet, you are required to have two B-l fire extinguishers or alternatively, one B-II fire extinguisher on board.

A vessel of less than 39.4 feet must, at a minimum, be able to produce an efficient sound signal.

An Oil pollution Placard must be displayed, and be at least 5 x 8 inches and made of durable material.

Vessels between 40 and 65 feet in length

On board a vessel of this length, there should at least be one Type I, II, III, or V wearable life jacket for each person on board, but on larger vessels it is recommended there be surplus life jackets for rescue. At least one Type IV throwable device should be located near every exit off the boat and be easily accessible.

Vessels operating coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and on the high seas, must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-approved visual distress signals. Any combination of day / night red flares, orange distress flags, electric distress lights and hand-held/floating orange smoke signals should be stored properly and be ready for use.

For vessels between 40 and 65 feet in length, three B-I fire extinguishers or alternatively, one B-II and one B-I fire extinguisher on board. If a U.S. Coast Guard-approved fixed fire extinguishing system is installed for the protection of the engine compartment, the required number of extinguishers may be reduced.

A vessel of this length must have a sound-signaling appliance capable of producing an efficient sound signal audible for ½ mile with a 4-6 second duration.

While operating in U.S. inland waters, operators must have onboard a copy of the ISDOT ISCG International – Inland Navigation Rules.

BACKFIRE FLAME ARRESTOR

Backfire flame arrestors are designed to prevent the ignition of gasoline vapors in case the engine backfires.

While it is not required for outboard motors, all other vessels are required to have one approved device on each carburettor of all gas engines installed after April 25, 1940.

VENTILATION

For boats built before 1980 there must be at least two ventilation ducts that are capable of efficiently ventilating closed compartments that contain a gasoline engine or tank, except those that vent outside of the boat and contain no unprotected electrical devices.

Boats built after 1980 need at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls to properly ventilate the bilges of every closed engine and fuel tank compartment using gasoline as fuel.

The Deckee app has handy reminders and safety information sections that make it easy to stay up-to-date with your vessel registration and required equipment.

FEDERAL BOATING REQUIREMENTS: HOW TO COMPLY