NEIC BOATING SAFETY GUIDELINES November 1987 national enforcement investigations center denver federal center bldg 53, box 25227 denver, co 80225 ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE MONITORING BOATING SAFETY GUIDELINES November 1987 NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER Denver, Colorado ------- BOATING SAFETY Table of Contents I. GENERAL OPERATING REQUIREMENTS 1 II. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT 2 III. PREPARATION FOR BOATING 5 IV. SAFETY RULES FOR FUELING 6 V. NAVIGATION 7 VI. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 11 ------- BOATING SAFETY I. GENERAL OPERATING REQUIREMENTS The boat operator is responsible for the safety of all persons on board and for the integrity of all equipment on board. A boat-safety briefing, by the boat operator, must be provided for ail occupants of the boat prior to leaving the dock, pad, etc. Government-owned, leased or rented boats are not to be boarded by unauthorized or non-essential persons (e.g., family, dependent or friends). The NEIC employee in charge of government-owned and leased or rented watercraft should have taken the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Skills and Seamanship course or its equivalent. Boat operators must complete emergency first-aid training. Personal gear should include shoes or boots with anti-skid soles and foot-wear suitable for any sampling or other work done outside the boat. Water repellent clothing and sufficient warm clothing should be taken along, and a change of dry clothing is often needed. Boat operators shall initiate operations on the ocean, estuaries, large lakes and large rivers only after acquiring a current and reliable weather forecast. Common sense must prevail -- when in doubt, the safe course of action is required. Auxiliary fuel should be stored in safety cans, secured to prevent spillage, away from sources of heat and sparks. ------- Boats must be equipped with non-slip floorboards. Employees must wear non-skid, soft-soled footwear while on board. Excess equipment is to be minimized and that which remains on board will be stowed such that walkways are kept clear and fire hazards are avoided. The load-carrying capacity of the boat should not be exceeded. If rough weather is expected, the boat should be loaded more lightly to let it ride higher and make it less likely to be swamped by waves. If samples are to be collected, their estimated weight should be included in the total weight load. The load capacity should be displayed on a plate mounted in the boat. A certificate of compliance for an outboard motorboat shows the manufacturer's rating of maximum horsepower of an engine that can be safely used on the boat. A combination capacity plate will also list the maximum number of persons and the maximum weight of persons that can be carried safely, as well as the maximum weight (of persons, motor, and gear) which can be carried safely by the boat. II. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT Every motorboat shall have a fire extinguisher approved for fighting electrical fires or burning liquids (e.g., gasoline fires). A 2.5 pound dry chemical extinguisher will satisfy the requirement, but a 6 pound dry chemical extinguisher will offer a greater chance of putting out a liquid fuel fire. Halon extinguishers are as satisfactory as the dry chemical type. A fire extinguisher should be located convenient to the fueling area to put out spill fires. ------- All boats operated in estuaries or open seas should be equipped with two-way radios adequate to communicate with at least one shore station. Boats with marine radios will monitor a distress frequency when not transmitting. Boats from 16 to 26 feet long must carry an audible signal, such as a whistle or horn, that can be heard for at least a half mile. A police whistle will meet this requirement. Boats from 26 to 40 feet long must carry a bell for use in fog, and a whistle or horn that can be heard for least a mile. The whistle or horn can be operated by hand or power. Boats over 40 feet long must have a power-operated whistle or horn. The signaling devices should be used in fog, or in any other weather condition that obscures normal visibility. (See "Fog Signals", below.} Boats with enclosed spaces where spilled fuel or fuel vapors can accumulate must have powered ventilation to clear away the fuel vapors. This requirement does not normally apply to open boats. NEIC safety procedures require all passengers to wear life jackets, although divers are permitted to wear wet suits in lieu of life jackets. Boats must also carry at least one throwable flotation device. Although flotation devices of Types I, II, III, IV, and V are approved for EPA field activities, only Types I and V are designed to save an unconscious person from drowning, because those are the only types that will turn an unconscious person from a face-down position in the water. The Type I device is the one that provides maximum flotation, and thus, maximum protection in rough water. The Type V device is a work vest that will float an unconscious person face up. It is designed for work activities. Float coats or exposure suits, approved by the Coast Guard, are recommended for cold water operation. Wet suits can also be used, preferably with an additional flotation device. ------- First aid kits must be on board all boats during operation. Visual distress signaling devices are required in boats 16 feet or longer. and are strongly recommended for any boat that may need a distress signal in any foreseeable circumstance. • Non-pyrotechnic devices include a special flag (for daytime use) and a special electric signal that flashes SOS signals four to six times a minute, for night use. These devices do not set spilled fuel afire if they are accidentally activated. Pyrotechnic devices, common on larger boats, include hand-held orange smoke signals, floating orange smoke distress signals that last 5 to 15 minutes, hand-held red flares, and pistol-launched parachute red flares. Rocket propelled flares are also available for night use. Pyrotechnic devices should be replaced 42 months from the date of the manufacture. Specified lights are required on any boat that is out on the water in the dark. Boats at anchor must show an anchor light: a white light, visible in all directions for at least one mile. Vessels under way must show at least three lights: • A white light visible for two miles, in all directions; two white lights are required in international waters, and many boats will show two (or more) white lights regularly. A green light, visible from ahead through an arc of 112.5° on the starboard (right) side of your boat. That 112.5° arc marks the zone in which your boat must yield the right of way to other vessels; any vessel that can see your green light has the right of way over your boat. ------- • A red light, visible from ahead through an arc of 112.5° on the port (left) side of your boat. Boats that can see your red light should yield the right of way to you. Recommended additional equipment includes: a recent chart (or charts) of the area in which you will be boating, a compass, paddles or oars, a boat hook, and a bailing bucket or bilge pump. It is also prudent to carry an anchor (and anchor rope), food and water, a flashlight, tools and spare parts. PREPARATION FOR BOATING The weather forecast should be obtained prior to each trip, charts should be reviewed and routes planned; and gear should be loaded so that it will not roll or slide when the boat rocks or tosses. If the weather forecast is somewhat unfavorable, the boat should be loaded lightly so that it will float high in the water. If a storm is predicted, the trip should be postponed. If the course takes the boat out of sight of land, at least one person aboard should know how to navigate. At least two people should know how to read charts and locate sandbars, shallows, rocks, rapids, etc. The Coast Guard recommends that a "float plan" be filed with someone who can request a search if the boat does not return as expected. The float plan should give a detailed description of the boat and its planned course, to aid in a search. It should list the people aboard, the type and frequencies of the emergency radio, and the names and phone numbers of the Coast Guard or other personnel who should be notified if the vessel fails to return as expected. ------- Before a boat is taken out for a trip, it should be inspected to assure that everything works, that lights and motor are likely to continue working, and that tools and spare parts are adequate and accessible. IV. SAFETY RULES FOR FUELING Complete fueling prior to the onset of darkness, except in emergencies or at well-lighted marinas. Whenever a boat is moored at a fueling dock, do not smoke, strike matches or throw switches. All engines, motors, fans and devices that can produce sparks must be stopped. Lights on the boat and heating devices must be turned off and all other sources of ignition kept away from fuel vapors. Before initiating fueling operations, the boat must be securely moored. Conditions of fuel-tank vents, connections, and flame screens must be checked. During fueling, the nozzle must be kept in contact with the fill opening to prevent static sparks. After fueling, fill openings are to be closed immediately. Spilled fuel must be cleaned up; all hatches, windows, doors and covers are to be opened for 5 minutes to ensure adequate ventilation. Operator must ascertain that no gasoline odor is present in the boat prior to initiating starting procedures. If the boat is equipped with exhaust blowers, they should be operated for at least 5 minutes before starting an engine. ------- Exhaust blowers are not substitutes for seaworthy fuel systems. Leaks in tanks and fuel lines must be corrected immediately upon discovery. Use the special ventilation equipment required for inboard engines. Portable fuel tanks should be filled outside the boat (i.e., on the dock or at another location) never in the boat, to prevent luel spillage in the boat. V. NAVIGATION Sailboats have the right-of-way over power boats. Always yield to large ships. Navigational charts will show the location of storm warning display stations, and your radio will carry weather bulletins. A small craft warning means winds may reach 38 mph (33 knots), a condition dangerous for boats generally used by EPA and a triangular red pennant, displayed at a storm warning display station, signals a small craft warning. Two triangular red flags signal a gale warning, with winds from 39 to 54 mph (34 to 47 knots); a single square red flag with a black center signals a storm warning, with winds of 55 to 73 mph (48 to 63 knots); and two square red flags with black centers signal a hurricane or tropical cyclone, with winds in excess of 74 mph (63 knots). The person in command of the boat is expected to know the rules for operation and navigation, local regulations, and rules of the road. The rules of the road cover three topics: lights, signals used to identify course and position in fog, and action to avoid collision with other vessels. Lights were covered above under "Required Equipment." ------- 8 Fog signals are required if visibility is obscured •- day or night, by mist, fog, rain or snow - in order to avoid collisions. A power vessel must sound one prolonged blast on the whistle, at least every minute. A vessel anchored outside a designated anchorage must ring its bell, or sound its horn or whistle, rapidly for five seconds, at least once each minute. Towing vessels underway must sound a series of three blasts (one long and two short blasts) in succession, once each minute. The vessel that has the right-of-way is called the "Stand-On vessel" (formerly, the "privileged vessel"). The Stand-On vessel has a right to maintain its course and speed. It is also a duty to maintain course and speed so that the other vessel can base its action on known conditions; however, if a collision should become imminent, the Stand-On vessel no longer has the right-of-way or any other privilege. The vessel that does not have the right-of-way is the "Give-Way vessel" (formerly called the "burdened vessel"). When the Give-Way vessel approaches another closely enough to create a possibility of collision. the Give-Way vessel must slow, turn or take other positive action to keep out of the way. In a meeting situation, two vessels are approaching head-on or nearly so, and neither has the right-of-way. Both must alter course to starboard (right) so that they will pass to port (left side to left side). A vessel will signal its intent to alter course to the starboard with a "course indication signal" of one or two short blasts of a whistle or horn. The other vessel will return the same signal to indicate understanding and agreement, or will signal four short blasts (danger signal) to indicate its lack of understanding or agreement. (In International Waters, no response is required, and the danger signal is five short blasts.) ------- In a crossing situation, when two vessels approach at an angle, the vessel on the right (starboard) has the right-of-way. Your vessel must give way to any vessel that approaches from the 112.5° arc in which your vessel shows its green light at night. The Give-Way vessel must slow or alter course to avoid a collision. The Stand-On vessel should maintain course and speed. In an overtaking situation, the overtaking vessel is burdened; it must give way until the overtaken vessel has been passed safely. If the overtaking vessel wishes to alter course and pass to the starboard of the overtaken vessel, the overtaking (Give-Way) vessel should give one short signal of whistle or horn. The signal to pass on the port side is two short blasts of whistle or horn. The overtaken (Stand-On) vessel must signal agreement (one or two short blasts) or disagreement (four short blasts). If you see only the (rear) white light of another vessel at night, you are overtaking that vessel and must follow the rules for overtaking. In a narrow channel, your boat should keep to the right side of the channel. When you near a bend, signal to any vessel that may be out of sight by giving a long (four to six seconds) warning blast on a whistle or horn. A small vessel must yield the right-of-way to large, deep draft ships that may not be able to maneuver or stop quickly. In general, right-of-way must be given to sailing vessels, fishing vessels, working vessels and very large vessels. Navigation aids, on navigable waters of the United States, consist of markers, buoys and lights. They mark channels and constructions, provide direction and show exact position. ------- 10 horn. A small vessel must yield the right-of-way to large, deep draft ships that may not be able to maneuver or stop quickly. In general, right-of-way must be given to sailing vessels, fishing vessels, working vessels and very large vessels. Navigation aids, on navigable waters of the United States, consist of markers, buoys and lights. They mark channels and constructions, provide direction and show exact position. The basic system uses red, triangular buoys or markers, with even numbers, to mark the right side of the channel when the vessel is moving upstream, against the current, returning from the sea ("red light returning"). The other side of the channel (on your starboard side going downstream) is marked with black, rectangular buoys or markers, with odd numbers. In the Great Lakes region, going west, or to the source of the lakes, corresponds to going upstream from the sea. On the Intracoastal Waterway and in coastal waters, "upstream" is marked from New Jersey going south to Florida and west to Texas. On the Pacific Coast, "upstream" is from California to Alaska. On the Intracoastal Waterway, buoys and markers are marked with a yellow band, strip, square or triangle. The yellow band or square identifies the buoy as being on the Intracoastal Waterway. Regulatory markers may provide information or give a warning (e.g., a boat speed restriction). Lightships or Texas Towers provide warning and guidance in waters that are too deep for other navigation aids. A Texas Tower is a large navigational buoy that has primary and standby generators to operate a high intensity light, a radio beacon, and a fog signal. It also monitors ------- 11 meteorological conditions, air and water temperature, wind speed and direction, and other data. Texas Towers are replacing lighthouses at major harbor entrances. VI. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES In case of emergency, a radio, whistle, horn or visual signals may be used to summon help. On the radio, send "Mayday" on VHP channel 16 or 2182 kilohertz. Give the boat identification and call letters, the location, the nature of distress, the number of persons aboard and condition of any that are injured, the estimated seaworthiness of the boat (how long you may stay afloat), descriptive details of the boat and any other information that may help rescuers If you have no radio, show visual distress signals. If you have only pyrotechnic distress signals, save them until there is someone who can see them. Many boats have flotation chambers and will not sink. In such cases, it may be better to stay with the boat. If the boat can be righted, get into it: this may be warmer than staying in the water. If the water is cold, it is important to conserve body heat. Gel out of the water if possible; if not, curl up. If several people are in the water, they should huddle close together. Do not swim for shore unless it is quite close or there is no chance of rescue. A boat is easier for rescuers to find than a swimmer. If you hear or see a distress signal from another vessel, give what aid you can. Use a radio to notify the Coast Guard on VHP channel 16, or notify any listener on CB channel 9. ------- |