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B - 1
GENERAL
As.the.owner/operator.of.the.boat,.you.are.respon-
sible.for.assuring.that.all.required.safety.equipment.is.
aboard..You.should.also.consider.supplying.additional.
equipment.as.needed.for.your.safety.and.that.of.your.
passengers..Check.state.and.local.regulations.and.
call.the.US.Coast.Guard.Info.line.at.1-800-368-5647.
for.information.about.required.safety.equipment..Also.
visit.the.United.Power.Squadron.website.at.www.
usps.org.
A. Required Safety Equipment
Minimum.requirements.include.the.following:.
•.. Personal.Flotation.Devices.(Life.Jackets)
•.. Visual.Distress.Signal
•.. Bell.or.Whistle
•.
Fire.Extinguisher
•.. Navigation.Lights
NOTICE
As the owner/operator of the boat, you are
responsible for assuring that all required safety
equipment is aboard and meets the boating
regulations as prescribed by both federal and
local authorities in your area.
B. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
Federal.regulations.require.that.you.have.at.least.one.
Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD)
for.each.person.in.a.recreational.boat..You.should.
not.use.your.boat.unless.all.PFDs.are.in.serviceable.
condition,.readily.accessible,.legibly.marked.with.the.
Coast.Guard.approval.number,.of.an.appropriate.size.
(within.the.weight.range.and.chest.size.marked.on.the.
PFD).for.each.person.aboard.
A.PFD.provides.buoyancy.to.help.keep.your.head.
above.the.water.and.to.help.you.remain.in.a.satisfac-
tory.position.while.in.the.water..Body.weight.and.age.
should.be.considered.when.selecting.a.PFD..The.
buoyancy.provided.by.the.PFD.should.support.your.
weight.in.water..
The.size.of.the.PFD.must.be.appropriate.for.the.wear-
er..Body.weight.or.chest.size.are.common.methods.
used.to.size.PFDs..It.is.your.responsibility.to.ensure.
that.you.have.the.proper.number.and.types.of.PFDs.
on.board.and.that.your.passengers.know.where.and.
how.to.use.them.
Boating Safety - Section B
C. PFD Types
Five.types.of.PFDs.have.been.approved.by.the.US.
Coast.Guard..The.PFDs.are.described.as.follows:
PFD Type 1, Wearable.(Figure.B1).has.the.greatest.
required.buoyancy..Its.design.allows.for.turning.most.
unconscious.persons.in.the.water.from.face.down.
position.to.a.vertical.or.slightly.backward,.face-up.
position..It.can.greatly.increase.the.chances.of.sur-
vival..Type.1.is.most.effective.for.all.waters,.especially.
offshore.when.rescue.may.be.delayed..It.is.also.the.
most.effective.in.rough.waters.
Figure B1: Type I, Wearable
PFD Type II, Wearable (Figure.B2).turns.its.wearer.
in.the.same.way.as.Type.I,.but.not.as.effectively..
The.Type.II.does.not.turn.as.many.persons.under.the.
same.conditions.as.a.Type.I..You.may.prefer.to.use.
this.PFD.where.there.is.a.probability.of.quick.rescue.
such.as.in.areas.where.other.people.are.commonly.
involved.in.water.activities.
Figure B2: Type II, Wearable
PFD Type III, Wearable (Figure.B3).allows.the.wearer.
to.place.themselves.in.a.vertical.or.slightly.backward.
position..It.does.not.turn.the.wearer..It.maintains.the.
wearer.in.a.vertical.or.slightly.backward.position.and.
has.no.tendency.to.turn.the.wearer.face.down..It.has.
the.same.buoyancy.as.a.Type.II.PFD.and.may.be.
appropriate.in.areas.where.other.people.are.commonly.
involved.in.water.activities.
Boating Safety
Owner's Manual Page
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