Boat Safety Gear: Virginia's Essential Equipment

If you're planning to take to the water in Virginia, there are a number of safety requirements that must be met. These include having a sufficient number of life jackets, fire extinguishers, and other equipment on board. The specific requirements vary depending on the type and size of the boat, and it's important to ensure that all equipment is in good working order and easily accessible. In this article, we'll outline the essential safety equipment you need for your boat in Virginia, so you can stay safe and compliant during your aquatic adventures.

Life jackets

Firstly, there must be one wearable, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket (also known as a personal flotation device or PFD) for each person on the boat. This includes all boats, including paddlecraft such as canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. The life jackets must be the correct size for each individual and be in good condition, with no rips or tears in the fabric, and all straps and buckles intact. They must be readily accessible, which means they are out in the open and easy to reach. They should be worn according to the manufacturer's label and, if not worn, they should be stowed where they can be easily reached in an emergency.

In addition to wearable life jackets, boats in Virginia that are 16 feet or longer must also carry at least one throwable device, such as a ring buoy or seat cushion. This does not apply to personal watercraft, non-motorized canoes or kayaks over 16 feet in length, or racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks. Throwable devices must also be immediately available, meaning they can be quickly reached in an emergency and are not stored in a protective covering or closed compartment.

Inflatable life jackets are a good option for adults as they are lightweight and comfortable, but they are only approved for those aged 16 and over and may not be suitable for certain activities like water skiing or riding on a PWC. Federal law also requires that all children under 13 years old on a recreational vessel on federal waters must wear a life jacket at all times unless they are below deck or in an enclosed cabin. This rule is enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard and applies to most waters in Virginia, which are considered federal waters.

It is important to note that, while life jackets are essential safety equipment, they should not be relied upon as a substitute for safe boating practices. Always follow safety guidelines and use common sense when boating to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone on board.

Fire extinguishers

Type of Fire Extinguisher

In Virginia, boats are required to carry specific types of fire extinguishers, namely Type B-1 and Type B-II (also known as Type 5-B and Type 20-B, respectively). These types are classified based on their size, discharge time, and the type of fire they are designed to extinguish. Type B extinguishers are typically used for flammable liquid and gas fires.

Number of Fire Extinguishers

The number of fire extinguishers needed depends on the size of the boat. For boats over 26 feet, it is mandated to have USCG-approved, adequately charged fire extinguishers. Meanwhile, boats under 26 feet that meet certain conditions are also required to carry fire extinguishers. These conditions include having permanently installed fuel tanks, closed compartments for storing portable fuel tanks, specific double-bottom designs, closed living spaces, or compartments for storing combustible or flammable materials.

For boats with no fixed fire extinguishing system in the engine space, the minimum requirement is one B-II or two B-I fire extinguishers. Alternatively, one B-II fire extinguisher can be substituted for two B-I extinguishers. If the boat has a fixed fire extinguishing system in the engine space, the requirement is adjusted to one B-II and one B-I or three B-I fire extinguishers.

Placement and Accessibility

Maintenance and Serviceability

It is essential to maintain fire extinguishers in good and serviceable condition. This includes ensuring that all components, such as metal or plastic hardware, webbings, straps, and inflatable mechanisms, are in proper working order and free from damage or corrosion. Regular inspections should be conducted to verify that the fire extinguishers have not expired and are within their usable lifespan. Fire extinguishers typically have a lifespan of 12 years from the date of manufacture.

Additional Considerations

Boat owners and operators should also be aware of other related safety requirements. For example, boats with gasoline-powered engines, excluding outboards, are mandated to have a USCG-approved backfire flame arrestor for each carburetor. Additionally, boats using fuel with a flashpoint of 110°F or less must be equipped with an efficient ventilation system to mitigate the risk of explosive gases.

Sound-producing devices

All vessels in Virginia, including paddlecraft, must carry a sound-producing device. This is to ensure compliance with the navigation rules, which require sound signals to be made in certain circumstances. For example, sound signals are required when vessels are meeting, crossing, or overtaking each other. Recreational vessels must also sound fog signals during periods of reduced visibility.

The sound-producing device must be capable of a 4-second blast that is audible from half a nautical mile away. If your vessel is not equipped with a horn, a whistle or air horn is acceptable.

In addition, the exhaust of an internal combustion engine on any motorboat must be effectively muffled. The muffling device should exhaust at or below the waterline or be equipped with mechanical baffles. The use of cutouts is prohibited.

Visual distress signals

All power boats 16 feet or longer must be equipped with visual distress signalling devices when operating on coastal waters. This includes all coastal waters and rivers that are 2 miles or more wide at the mouth, up until the point where the river narrows to less than 2 miles.

Boats less than 16 feet in length, manually propelled boats (such as rowboats, canoes, and kayaks), and open sailboats under 26 feet with no motor are only required to carry night visual distress signals when operated on coastal waters at night.

If you are using pyrotechnic signals, you must have 3 night signals and 3 day signals, or 3 day/night combination signals. If you are using non-pyrotechnic signals, you must have 1 day signal and 1 night signal.

Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be US Coast Guard approved, in good condition, and easily accessible. They include:

• Pyrotechnic red flares (hand-held or aerial)
• Pyrotechnic orange smoke (hand-held or floating)
• Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute flares

Non-pyrotechnic visual distress signals must also meet US Coast Guard requirements, be in good condition, and be easily accessible. They include:

• Orange distress flag with a black square and black ball for daytime use
• Electric distress light for night use

It is important to note that displaying a visual distress signal is illegal unless you need immediate assistance.

Marine sanitation devices

There are three types of MSDs:

• Type I and II MSDs are typically found on large vessels. They use special chemicals to treat and kill bacteria in the waste before it is discharged. These types of MSDs must be secured to prevent the discharge of untreated sewage.
• Type III MSDs provide no treatment and are either holding tanks or portable toilets. Waste collected in these systems should be taken to a pump-out station or onshore toilet for proper disposal.

Vessels with installed toilets and MSDs must comply with federal regulations for sewage discharge. Vessels without installed toilets or MSDs are prohibited from discharging any sewage, treated or untreated, into Virginia's state waters.

To ensure proper sanitation and compliance with regulations, boat owners should be familiar with the type of MSD installed on their vessel. Regular maintenance and proper use of MSDs are essential to prevent environmental contamination and potential health hazards.

Additionally, it is important to note that some areas in Virginia, such as Smith Mountain Lake, are designated as "No Discharge Zones," where all vessel sewage discharges are prohibited. Boat owners should be aware of such zones and plan accordingly for sewage disposal at approved facilities.

Frequently asked questions