Guys are your boats CG approved?
We have some great resources on here who are or have been USCG. CG rules and requirements are not bad things. Items like anti syphon valves CG fuel approved pumps, tanks even wire can make the difference between life and death. These are not luxury items or safety bonuses they are the law.
Another consideration is that every insurance policy I have ever read requires your vessel meet all USCG specifications. Guy's like Brad Shoenwald Tres etc are a wealth of information. Reviewing your boats rigging could save your life or prevent an insurance claim from being declined.
Just because a boat is "as shipped"does not mean it complies. I have witnessed boats gaining serious magazine praise with no mention of the failure to to meet USCG specifications.
Do yourself and your riding crew a favor review your boats fuel systems wiring etc. and fix anything that is not up to USCG specifications.
Thansk
Steve
Thread: Coast Guard Compliant?
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10-24-2008 09:36 PM
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10-24-2008 10:02 PM
Welcome oh great one! Thanks for the info.
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10-26-2008 09:15 AM
Great thread.
I just took delivery of a new to me perf boat.
I decided to go through the list like I had boarded me. Found all kinds of marine requirements defeated or removed. It was an eye opener.
It will be tight and right before it ever hits the water again:
But here is where I gigged myself:
failed-100% ignition protected components.
failed-USCG wire and hoses, and flame arrestor.
failed-crackcase vent to flame arrestor.
failed-Fuel pump recovery line to carb.
failed-all lights in place and working.
failed-proper bilge blower hose routing.
failed-adequate fire supression and hand held extinguishers (accessible... not stowed.)
failed-hailing horn
Then there are the flares, distress flag, throwable line and ring with 50' of line.Warning: This post may contain language unsuitable for minors or math not suitable for liberal-arts majors.
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11-04-2008 08:09 PM
We get the boat inspected every year by the USCG .
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11-14-2008 09:45 AM
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11-14-2008 10:16 AM
I have passed with every boat each year. Once you do it, it's easy to keep it up. They will even come to your boat at your house or dock. Sure beats getting stopped on the water and getting checked.
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11-11-2008 02:00 PM
There are tons of boats out there that won't pass tech, and the owners don't know this. Some people say no big deal. The problem comes in if you're in some sort of accident where you need to use your insurance. All policies state that you have to meet USCG requirements, well if you don't they can null and void your insurance which could leave you personally having to pay millions in the case of a death...
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11-11-2008 05:15 PMHey Steve,
Thanks for the plug. We are ramping up for next years Bimini Run so get ready.
In regards to compliance, Rum Runner is right on. This goes beyond the carriage requirements and falls to 33 CFR.
Manufactuers Product liability insurance have warranties calling for compliance. No oversight exists other than the integrity of the boat builder and their personal core values. The Coast Guard does conduct random visits but many things are missed or overlooked.
Of greater concern to me is when a boat owner builds or rebuilds a boat. As soon as this boat is sold to another owner the "Back Yard Boat Builder" becomes responsible and accountable to build the boat in compliance of the rules and could face significant consequences if the boat suffers a catastrophic failure. This primarily applies to fuel systems as the rules are very old and not restrictive in anyway.
BeSafe
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11-13-2008 07:37 PM
Can someone put up a link to the area on the USCG site that lists everything.
Thanks
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11-13-2008 10:22 PM
This links you to the pdf's:
http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/regulations.htm
Allot of people run stainless braided line or run return lines, which are not allowed. A guy (near me) with a cruiser many years ago ran electric pumps with regulators that return to the tank. A cell phone charger shorted and set the boat on fire. It also burned a few surrounding boats. His insurance did not cover anything because he used non uscg fuel line and the pumps were not mounted within 12" of the block.
It helps to read through the rules. Several boat manufactures are non compliant.
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11-14-2008 10:16 AM
A few other thoughts:
First just because your boat passes a USCG Aux inspection doesn't make it legal!!!
Now with that being said I don't know how most people would actually know or find out if their boat is legal. This is something we as a group should come up with an idea on how to fix.
Lastly keep in mind that no matter who built your boat it may not be legal (and they may not know) just because the builder purchased an engine and drive package from someone doesn't mean it's legal. Heck I know there is stuff that comes out of Fond-Du-lac that is not 100% within the law...
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01-29-2009 12:29 PM
The test is when the lawyers get involved. I simple 25 cent light bulb failing to light from corrosion can make a difference in court.
I would guess more boats fail than not. Many of the boats serviced and modified by owners not knowing, understanding, or caring about the rules will fail on numerous points. Others may know, but won't pay to correct.
The scariest part of all to me is the over powered boats. Some of which have no business going as fast as they do.
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01-29-2009 12:55 PM
Agreed it can get out of control when layers and insurance get involved, but it is the world we live in.
It’s one thing for a guy to put a non approved part on his boat himself (knowingly) because he’s trying to go faster, or save money and is willing to “Risk” it.
I can understand where you’re saying that over powered boats are the most dangerous, but I personally think it’s a couple other things that are more dangerous.
First and foremost are the builders who build unsafe combinations. There are many boats out there right now from big name builders that are flat out unsafe… both from a legal standpoint of how they were put together but more importantly from how they handle. I know one boat that I was in a few years ago had such bad handling characteristics that it was scary for most people to drive. It had such bad chine walk getting to top speed and was downright freaking nasty slowing down.
Second is the loose nut holding on the wheel! I can remember having to take safety courses as a kid, to be allowed to boat alone, but the majority of states don’t have and boaters don’t want any type of mandatory instruction or licensing. I am all for it! It doesn’t matter how fast, overpowered; unsafe any boat is because the bottom line is it comes down to the idiot holding on the wheel and throttle. Just because you can afford a boat that can run whatever speed doesn’t mean you’re qualified to do it.
I’ve seen just as much damage done at slow speeds as I have at speed. Watch the people pulling into the marina with the people hanging their feet off the boat to “Stop it” I’ve seen more than my fair share of people hurt by that one…
OK, I'll get off my Soap Box
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01-30-2009 02:14 PM
I get a daily e-mail from the C.G. for every reported boating accident in the country....everyday there are a min. 1 or 2 accidents..sometimes as many as 10+.....you would be suprised of the carelessness that is used by some boaters....the way that some operate there vessels...its just a accident just waiting to happen....common sence is the first thing that needs to be stress to boaters....it dose not cost anything...its just making the right decision.....
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11-19-2008 03:01 PM
We don't have the Coast Gaurd on our lake but the Coast Gaurd Auxillary does free inspections every year and I make sure mine is inspected and passes. I failed last year but only because I did not have a copy of my registration in the boat.
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01-24-2009 11:55 AMMy dad is a member of the auxilary in Tarpon Springs Florida and they do over 1000 inspections a year just out of that location. It also helps to have the current coast guard sticker posted when the law cruises bye.
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01-24-2009 06:10 PM
If you contact you local USCG station they will give you the conact info for the local AUX. They should be more then willing to perform safety checks at any local dock or marina if you request and schedule it. It doesn't hurt to have the safety inspection sticker on the vessel.
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01-29-2009 12:08 PM
It is very easy to have a Vessel Saftey Check done.....also to take a boating safety course online...we have been working with insurance companys to give a discount to anyone who takes the course and recieves there certificate.....when we built the Dragon Super Vee, on the fuel cell we had to have the C.G. approve the tank and meet there guide lines...but the vessel saftey check is not indept...there has been some talk to having a more indept inspection...but it will suprise you on how many people do not take advantage of the free inspection the way it is....there main concern and awareness they are trying to get out is wearing life jackets....over 70% of last years deaths could have been prevented if only they had on a life jacket on...yes there have been accidents with equipment failures....mostly with carbondioxide and fuel ventilation failures resulting in explosions but on a much lower %....the biggest problem in boating safety today is the most simplest fix and dose not cost anything, over 95% of boating fatalities boats were properly equipped....but just not used...like the life jacket....Its a great idea to go over your boats electronics like mention above...and yes you will find a high % of them will not meet safety standards....it reminds me of cars on the road in some states you need a yearly inspection for safety reasons....and yet I have been taking in trades from other states that do not need yearly inpections and they were death traps on our roads today....I brought this up in a Safety Summit meeting a few years back...about having a yearly inspection sticker done on boats like cars do in some states....but if the states don't regulate it on cars in there states..they certainly won't do it on boats.....Steve this is a good topic you bring up...
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02-03-2009 06:59 PM
Great thread. Glad it came up. If you haven't taken the USCGA Basic Boating and Seamanship class, I would highly recomend it, regardless of how many years or boats youve gone through.
I grew up around boats, knew my way around boats, and worked on boats, but just after I bought my first boat I took a "boating safety&seamanship" course for nothing more than to save on boat insurance. I was impressed at how much I learned in that class and ended up joining the Flotilla, (30-4). I eventually became an instructor of the BS&S classes and still teach those same classes for Kansas Wildlife&Parks. For those who have not taken the class, check it out. It's well worth it.Abbysomeone