Federal Equipment Requirements for Recreational Vessels

Boat length in feet

Less than 16', canoes, kayaks

16' to 26' (8m)

26' to 40' (12m)

40' to 65' (20m)

65' to 165' (50m)

Personal Floatation Devices 

One Type I, II, III, or V per person. PFDs must be CG approved, wearable by the intended user and readily accessible.

One Type I, II, III, or V per person plus one Type IV throwable. PFDs must be CG approved, wearable by the intended user and readily accessible.

Certain types of Type V jackets may have to be worn while the boat is in operation to count in the vessel’s inventory of safety gear.

Fire Extinguishers

With fixed system

One B-I, any type. Fire extinguishers required on boats with enclosed engine compartments (not outboards), enclosed living spaces or permanent fuel tanks.

One B-II or two

B-I.

One B-II and one B-I, or three B-I

One or more B-II
(depends on the displacement
of the vessel)

Fire Extinguishers Without fixed system

No portables required

One B-I

Two B-I or one Class B-II

Visual Distress Signals

Night signals required
when operating at night;
dated within 42 months
of manufacture date.

Pyrotechnic Signals: Minimum of three day-use and three night-use or three day/night combination) pyrotechnic devices.
Non-pyrotechnic substitutes: 1 orange distress flag (day-use) and 1 electric SOS signal light (night-use).
Pyrotechnic signals must be dated within 42 months of the manufacture date on the label.

Sound Producing Devices

Horn or whistle recommended to signal intentions or signal position

One bell, and one whistle or horn required to signal intentions or position

Backfire Flame Arrester

One CG-approved device on each carburetor of all gasoline-powered engines built after April 1940, except outboard motors

Ventilation

CG-standard system required on gasoline powered vessels with enclosed engine compartments built after August 1980

Navigation Lights

Under power

Sidelights, Stern Light and Masthead. Sailboats operating under engine power are considered power driven and must follow the “Under Power” rules. During the day, motorsailing vessels are required to fly a motoring cone. Boats under 20m can substitute a single bi-color light for sidelights. Boats under 12m may combine the masthead and stern light into a single “all-round” light.

Under sail

Sidelights and Stern Light. Sailboats operating under engine power are considered power driven and must follow the “Under Power” rules. During the day, motorsailing vessels are required to fly a motoring cone. Sailboats under sail and rowboats under 7m and under 7 knots can substitute a white lantern or torch in place of the required lights. Boats under sail under 20m can substitute a tri-color light for separate sidelights and stern light.

Rowing

Same as “Under Sail”

At Anchor

All-round light, 2nm (at night) or black anchoring ball (during the day) when outside a designated anchorage

Visibility Range

1nm Sidelights, 2nm all others

3nm Masthead,
2nm all others

5nm Masthead,
2nm others

Marine Sanitation Devices

“Honor system” (no plaques required)

5" x 8" Oil Discharge placard and 4" x 9" Waste Discharge placard. Vessels over 40' with a galley must have a Waste Management Plan.

Pollution Regulation

Vessels with installed toilet facilities must have an operable,
CG-certified Type I, II or III Marine Sanitation Device (MSD). Subject to local laws!

Type II or III MSD only

Navigation Rules

Familiarity with rules recommended, but not required

The Inland Navigation Rules (“Rules of the Road”) must be kept on board

Some individual state laws prescribe additions to these requirements. Check your state’s Boating Safety Handbook for a complete list.  Maryland’s requirements are located at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/regulations/