| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | on it. If it has an expired date on it then it might not |
| The summer has finally arrived. This year, you are | | | | function properly in an emergency. |
| excited because you are going to buy your first | | | | Emergency Signals and Noise Making Devices: All |
| motorized boat. But before you take off across the | | | | boats require functioning distress signals whether it is |
| river or lake, whether it is for joyriding or fishing, | | | | red flares, distress flags, or orange smoke. A good |
| there is a mandatory boating equipment list in the | | | | Horn or whistle is also needed. You can use a |
| United States. If living in a different country, please | | | | hand-held whistle for small boats but the larger boats |
| check online for changes/additions to the following | | | | need a horn that can be heard a good distance |
| requirements. | | | | away. |
| The waterways are supervised by police and they | | | | Boat Lights: It is very important that the lights on |
| will stop you to do a boat check. Best to be | | | | your boat be put on properly according to size and |
| prepared! | | | | class of your boat. These lights are a signal to other |
| Required Documents: Have your boat ownership | | | | boat operators as to whether your boat is anchored, |
| registration papers and photo identification with you | | | | sailing or motorized. |
| at all times, whenever you go out in a boat. | | | | Green Light- shows directly in front to 112.5 degrees |
| Life Jackets (Personal Floatation Devices): A life | | | | down the right side (known as starboard) of the |
| jacket is a jacket or belt that helps a person to float | | | | boat. |
| in the water and prevents a person from drowning. | | | | Red Light- shows directly in front to 112.5 degrees |
| Every person on a boat must wear a life jacket. | | | | down the left side (known as port side) of the boat. |
| They have to fit right and be the correct size. | | | | White Masthead Light- shows in the whole 225 |
| Children have got to wear a life jacket at all times. | | | | degrees that is covered by the total area of both of |
| Never put an adult life jacket on a child. | | | | the Green and the Red lights together. |
| If the boat is 16 feet and longer, then it requires | | | | White Stern Light- shows at the back of the boat to |
| having a minimum of one life-ring or floating cushion. | | | | 67.5 degrees on both sides of the stern. This gives a |
| If there is an emergency and someone is at risk of | | | | total area of 135 degrees.. |
| drowning, then the life ring is used. | | | | To avoid really nasty fines from the authorities, |
| Fire Extinguisher: All boats that have an engine and/or | | | | ensure that you always do a check of all the required |
| fuel tank in an enclosed compartment must have a | | | | equipment. Before taking off in your boat, make sure |
| fire extinguisher that does not have an expired date | | | | that everything is doing what it is suppose to do. |