Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 3, 2001
For more information:  Bill Shattuck, 773-4506

BOAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

PIERRE – Certain pieces of safety equipment are important when boating, and Game, Fish and Parks officials are telling boaters exactly what safety equipment is required by law.

Boating Safety Specialist Bill Shattuck said the most common boating violation occurs when boaters do not have a throwable flotation device in their boat. Both U.S.Coast Guard and Game, Fish and Parks regulations require that boats 16 feet or longer must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable flotation device (Type IV cushion or ring buoy) on board. 

"Many boaters may not be fully aware that this requirement is in addition to the need for a personal flotation device for each person with the boat," Shattuck said. "Cooler lids and extra life jackets do not qualify as throwables. Most often a drowning would have been prevented if a throwable, life-saving device had been available. When people fall out of a boat, many times they end up out of reach from the boat. A throwable flotation device, if handy, can be easily tossed to the person in the water to keep them afloat." 

The following list of boats describes the equipment required by law:

All boats, canoes and kayaks, must have: 

• Properly displayed boat numbers and current license decals (3" high with block style lettering) if motorized or longer than 12 feet. 
• A U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device sized appropriately for each person. 
• At least one Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher of B-1 type or larger (unless the construction of the boat will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.) 
• Proper lights displayed when on the water between sunset and sunrise. 

* Note -- Personal watercraft operators and riders must wear their life jackets. 

Boats 16 feet or longer and less than 26 feet in length (canoes and kayaks not included) must have the formerly mentioned items on board, plus: 

• A Coast Guard approved Type IV throwable flotation device 
• A whistle or other sound-producing mechanical device capable of a two-second blast audible for a least one-half mile. 

Boats 26 feet in length or over, and less than 40 feet long need another B-1 or larger fire extinguisher, and the whistle must be audible for one mile. If your boat is 40 feet long or longer, you'll need to upgrade to one B-2 and one B-1 extinguisher, or three B-1s. Your whistle or sound-producing device must be power-operated. An audible bell must also be included.

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