Class 1 are vessels between 16' to 25.9' long.
1. Personal Flotation Devices(PFDs)
You need to have a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) for every person onboard the boat. PFDs must be approved by the United States Coast Guard.
In addition, if your boat is 16 feet or over, you need to have a throwable PFDonboard, and immediately available, in case someone falls overboard.
You already know that you should wear your PFD whenever you are underway. In many states, the law says you must wear your PFD when underway or when on a PWC or water skiing, etc. Don't take a chance - wear your PFD.
2. Sound Producing Device (bell, horn, whistle, etc.)
Every boat needs a working whistle or horn to make sound.
You can attach a whistle to your PFD so that you always have a sound producing device within reach. Make sure it is a whistle that works when it gets wet.
Remember - only use it in a real emergency.
3. Visual Distress Signal
Visual Distress Signals should be carried on all boats operating on coastal waters (the ocean or waters that lead to the ocean), the Great Lakes and waters connected to them up to a point where the body of water is less than 2 miles wide.
There are day signals and night signals. If you operate at night, you are required to carry night signals.
Pyrotechnic distress signals, like flares, can be very dangerous to you and to your boat if not used properly.
4. Fire Extinguisher
A U.S. Coast Guard approved, marine-type fire extinguisher should be carried on
your boat in a place where you can get to it quickly and easily. Extinguishers are not required on boats that don't have motors or on outboard motorboats less than 26 feet if there are no permanent fuel tanks installed. One B-I type approved hand portable fire
extinguisher.
5. Backfire Flame Control
An effective means of controlling backfire flame of all gasoline
engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors
Backfire flame arrestors must be USCG approved.
6. Ventilation (Boats built after August 1, 1980)
At least two ventilator ducts for the purpose of efficiently
ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and every
closed compartment containing a gasoline tank, except for those having
permanently installed tanks which vent outside the boat and contain no
unprotected electrical devices. Also, engine compartments containing a gasoline
engine having a cranking motor must contain power operated exhaust blowers which
can be controlled from the instrument panel.
7. Vessel Lighting
Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights
between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain,
haze, etc). The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules specify lighting requirements
for every description of watercraft. The information provided in the attached
link is for vessels less than 65.5 feet/20 meters in length.
http://boat-ed.com/fl/course/p4-9_navlights.htm
Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles away—or if less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night.
An all-round white light (if less than 39.4 feet long) or both a masthead light and a sternlight. These lights must be visible from a distance of at least two miles away on a dark, clear night. The all-round white light (or the masthead light) must be at least 3.3 feet (one meter) higher than the sidelights.
8. Recommendations:
We further suggest that you equip your vessel with an anchor and
a sufficient amount of anchor line; a de-watering device, such as a bilge pump
in the event of flooding; and an oar, paddle or other alternative means of
propulsion in case your engine fails. If the above equipment requirements and
suggestions are met, you may be eligible to display a FWC or Coast Guard
Auxiliary safety decal. For more information, please contact your local FWC
office.
You need to have a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) for every person onboard the boat. PFDs must be approved by the United States Coast Guard.
In addition, if your boat is 16 feet or over, you need to have a throwable PFDonboard, and immediately available, in case someone falls overboard.
You already know that you should wear your PFD whenever you are underway. In many states, the law says you must wear your PFD when underway or when on a PWC or water skiing, etc. Don't take a chance - wear your PFD.
2. Sound Producing Device (bell, horn, whistle, etc.)
Every boat needs a working whistle or horn to make sound.
You can attach a whistle to your PFD so that you always have a sound producing device within reach. Make sure it is a whistle that works when it gets wet.
Remember - only use it in a real emergency.
3. Visual Distress Signal
Visual Distress Signals should be carried on all boats operating on coastal waters (the ocean or waters that lead to the ocean), the Great Lakes and waters connected to them up to a point where the body of water is less than 2 miles wide.
There are day signals and night signals. If you operate at night, you are required to carry night signals.
Pyrotechnic distress signals, like flares, can be very dangerous to you and to your boat if not used properly.
4. Fire Extinguisher
A U.S. Coast Guard approved, marine-type fire extinguisher should be carried on
your boat in a place where you can get to it quickly and easily. Extinguishers are not required on boats that don't have motors or on outboard motorboats less than 26 feet if there are no permanent fuel tanks installed. One B-I type approved hand portable fire
extinguisher.
5. Backfire Flame Control
An effective means of controlling backfire flame of all gasoline
engines installed after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors
Backfire flame arrestors must be USCG approved.
6. Ventilation (Boats built after August 1, 1980)
At least two ventilator ducts for the purpose of efficiently
ventilating every closed compartment that contains a gasoline engine and every
closed compartment containing a gasoline tank, except for those having
permanently installed tanks which vent outside the boat and contain no
unprotected electrical devices. Also, engine compartments containing a gasoline
engine having a cranking motor must contain power operated exhaust blowers which
can be controlled from the instrument panel.
7. Vessel Lighting
Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights
between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain,
haze, etc). The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules specify lighting requirements
for every description of watercraft. The information provided in the attached
link is for vessels less than 65.5 feet/20 meters in length.
http://boat-ed.com/fl/course/p4-9_navlights.htm
Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles away—or if less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night.
8. Recommendations:
We further suggest that you equip your vessel with an anchor and
a sufficient amount of anchor line; a de-watering device, such as a bilge pump
in the event of flooding; and an oar, paddle or other alternative means of
propulsion in case your engine fails. If the above equipment requirements and
suggestions are met, you may be eligible to display a FWC or Coast Guard
Auxiliary safety decal. For more information, please contact your local FWC
office.