Safety should be on the top of every boaters' checklist before heading out for a day of fun on the water. The United States Coast Guard sets minimum standards for safety equipment required to be on board all recreational boats. The personal flotation devices on board must be USCG approved and in good, serviceable condition in order to meet federal regulations.
By law, all recreational boats are required to have a minimum of 2 personal flotation devices on board at all times. If more than one person is on the boat, a PFD is required for each additional passenger. Further, all vessels over 16 feet in length, except canoes and kayaks, must have at least one throwable device on board and immediately accessible.
All PFD's must be readily accessible to all passengers at all times. They should never be stored in closed or locked compartments, or underneath other equipment. Although not required by law, it is advisable to wear PFD's at all times while the vessel is underway. The four types of wearable PFD's are as follows:
An off-shore jacket, or Type I PFD, is designed for use in all waters. It has the highest buoyancy rating which makes it preferable for use in open, or rough waters, especially off-shore, where rescue may be substantially delayed. It is designed with a turning feature that will keep the wearer face-up in the water even if they are unconscious. It comes in 22 pound buoyancy for adults and 11 pound buoyancy for children.
A near-shore jacket, or Type II PFD, is more suited for use in calm, inland waters. It has a turning feature as well, but is not as effective as a Type I, which means it may not work for every wearer. it is available in 15.5 pounds buoyancy for adults, 11 for children and an additional size, 7 pounds buoyancy for small children and infants.
A flotation aid, or a Type III PFD, is also intended for use in calm, inland waters where rescue is available quickly. It does not have the turning feature like the Type I and II, but is more comfortable for continuous wear. It comes with the same buoyancy ratings as the Type II and is available in many different styles, colors and sizes.
A Type V PFD is a special use PFD intended for specific activities. It is the least bulky and contains a small amount of buoyancy and an inflatable chamber. Some Type V PFD's are able to provide protection against hypothermia as well.
Lastly, the Type IV PFD is a throwable device. There must be at least one on every vessel over 16 feet in length and it must be visible and accessible at all times. It is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and held until help arrives. It is not designed to be worn, and is intended for use in high-traffic, calm waters where help is quickly and readily available.
By law, all recreational boats are required to have a minimum of 2 personal flotation devices on board at all times. If more than one person is on the boat, a PFD is required for each additional passenger. Further, all vessels over 16 feet in length, except canoes and kayaks, must have at least one throwable device on board and immediately accessible.
All PFD's must be readily accessible to all passengers at all times. They should never be stored in closed or locked compartments, or underneath other equipment. Although not required by law, it is advisable to wear PFD's at all times while the vessel is underway. The four types of wearable PFD's are as follows:
An off-shore jacket, or Type I PFD, is designed for use in all waters. It has the highest buoyancy rating which makes it preferable for use in open, or rough waters, especially off-shore, where rescue may be substantially delayed. It is designed with a turning feature that will keep the wearer face-up in the water even if they are unconscious. It comes in 22 pound buoyancy for adults and 11 pound buoyancy for children.
A near-shore jacket, or Type II PFD, is more suited for use in calm, inland waters. It has a turning feature as well, but is not as effective as a Type I, which means it may not work for every wearer. it is available in 15.5 pounds buoyancy for adults, 11 for children and an additional size, 7 pounds buoyancy for small children and infants.
A flotation aid, or a Type III PFD, is also intended for use in calm, inland waters where rescue is available quickly. It does not have the turning feature like the Type I and II, but is more comfortable for continuous wear. It comes with the same buoyancy ratings as the Type II and is available in many different styles, colors and sizes.
A Type V PFD is a special use PFD intended for specific activities. It is the least bulky and contains a small amount of buoyancy and an inflatable chamber. Some Type V PFD's are able to provide protection against hypothermia as well.
Lastly, the Type IV PFD is a throwable device. There must be at least one on every vessel over 16 feet in length and it must be visible and accessible at all times. It is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and held until help arrives. It is not designed to be worn, and is intended for use in high-traffic, calm waters where help is quickly and readily available.
About the Author:
Marinesource.com is not only your best resource to find used boats for sale and an outstanding resource for outfitting your boat with all the latest USCG certified marine safety and navigation equipment.
No comments:
Post a Comment