We will display
questions received from our visitors in this section. If you are a member of the Auxiliary
and have questions, please ask them in the Member's Q&A area.
A FEW RULES: No questions are made public until they have been researched and we have an answer,
so if you are just posting SPAM or any form of junk advertising, it will be deleted immediately when we are reviewing
what has been submitted. We can only answer questions relating to federal requirements for recreational boats.
Requirements that are state or local are best answered by the state or local agency, since we have no comprehensive,
up-to-date database on those requirements and regulations. We cannot answer questions about requirements for commercial
vessels and Uninspected Passenger Vesselss as they are not under our program for recreational boats.
Do not ask a question if it is already in our database. First search our database to see if we have already received and
responded to a similar question from another visitor. To search the
existing database of questions without scrolling,
Click Here and search with the key words that may be found in your question.
To ask a question not found in our database, Click
Here and if it is germane to the subject as listed under the rules, and we can come up with an answer,
it will be posted.
Capacity Plate , posted: 10/13/2007
Question: My fire department is going to use a 16ft. monohaul boat with a 40hp. motor for rescue, diving, flood emerencies and operations on navigable waters. The capacity information plate states that boat can hold 5 people or 550lbs and 980lbs. person, motor and gear. The manufacture advertises that the boat holds more weight,3400lbs. I believe resuce operations could easily overload the boat. Is it illegal to operate the boat over the capacity plate weight limits? I believe it is and I don't believe the salesman.
Answer: It is not safe or legal to operate a boat with any of the maximums listed on the boats Capacity Plate exceeded. The advertised capacity of 3400 pounds may be the gross weight of the hull, motor, and gear or it may be the so called "swamped weight". This is the weight it takes to completly swamp the hull. A high "swamped weight" does not allow the exceeding of any of the listed maximum capacities on the Capacity Plate.
George R Bores, BC-VTR
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UPV Inspection , posted: 10/9/2007
Question: I understand it is possible to have a VSC done for a boat. However I am considering starting a charter business is there saftey checks other than this that can be done by the coast guard. Most likely in would be no more than 6 paid passengers but I was wondering if the coast guard still will do inspections of my boat or if it is necessary. Chicago, IL. Thanks.
Answer: Specially trained members of the Coast Guard including some Auxiliarists do perform what is called a "Uninspected Passenger Vessel" (UPV) inspection. Contact the USCG Marine Safety Unit in Chicago during normal business hours at: 630-986-2155 for more information.
George R Bores, BC-VTR
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All-around White Navigation Light , posted: 9/12/2007
Question: I have a 19' ski boat and recently put a tower on this boat. My question is this tower has a light on the highest point, and is in the center of the boat, does this light take place of a aft light, or should I also use the aft light? Thank you for your response Steve.
Answer: If the white light in question is a U S Coast Guard approved all-around white navigation light and is visible for 360 degrees around the vessel it would take the place of the installed all-around white stern light found on most small recreational boats. It would be illegal to have both lights displayed at the same time.
George R Bores, BC-VTR
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Sailboat License , posted: 9/7/2007
Question: Do I need a licence to sail a sailboat?
Answer: There is no federal requirement that requires the operator of a recerational sailboat be licensed.
George R Bores, BC-VTR
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PFD's for Children , posted: 8/31/2007
Question: What are the ages that children have to wear a life jacket?
Answer: The federal rule is that children under 13 years of age must wear a U S Coast Guard approved wearable PFD of the proper size and in serviceable condition when underway on a vessel unless they are below decks or in a cabin. Several states have laws regarding PFD wear by children. If a state has a such a law the Coast Guard will enforce the state's requirements. Check with the agency that enforces boating laws in your state to find out what the rules are in your state.
George R Bores, BC-VTR
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