MarineWaypoints.com - Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats: Quick Reference Chart

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Vessel Length (in feet)				Equipment	Requirement
<16	16<26	26<40	40<65
X	X	X	X	Certificate of Number (State Registration)	All undocumented vessels equipped with propulsion machinery must be State registered. Certificate of Number must be on board when vessel is in use. Note: some States require all vessels to be registered.
X	X	X	X	State Numbering	(a) Plain Block letters/numbers not less than 3 inches in height must be affixed on each side of the forward half of the vessel (Contrasting color to boat exterior). (b) State validation sticker must be affixed within six inches of the registration number
	X	X	X	Certificate of Documentation	Applies only to "Documented" vessels: (a) Original and current certificate must be on board (b) Vessel name/hailing port marked on exterior part of hull -- letters not less than 4 inches in height. (c) Official Number permanently affixed on interior structure -- numbers not less than 3 inches in height.
X	X	X	X	Life Jackets (PFDs)	(a) One Type I, II, III, or V wearable PFD for each person on board. (must be USCG approved)
	X	X	X	Life Jackets (PFDs)	(b) In addition to paragraph (a), must carry One Type IV (throwable) PFD.
X	X	X	X	Visual Distress Signal (VDS)	(a) One electric distress light or Three combination (day/night) red flares. Note: only required to be carried on board when operating between sunset and sunrise. (b) One orange distress flag and One electric distress light - or -Three hand-held or floating orange smoke signals and One electric distress light - or - Three combination (day/night) red flares: hand-held, meteor or parachute type.
Vessel Length (in feet)				Equipment	Requirement
<16	16<26	26<40	40<65
X	X	X		Fire Extinguishers	(a) One B-I (when enclosed compartment) (b) One B-II or Two B-I. Note: fixed system equals One B-I
X	X		X	Fire Extinguishers	(c) One B-II and One B-I or Three B-I. Note: fixed system equals One B-I or Two B-II
X	X	X	X	Ventilation	(a) All vessels built after 25 April 1940 that use gasoline as their fuel with enclosed engine and /or fuel tank compartments must have natural ventilation (at least two ducts fitted with cowls). (b) In addition to paragraph (a), a vessel built after 31 July 1980 must have rated power exhaust blower.
X	X	X		Sound Producing Devices	(a) A vessel 39.4 ft must, at a minimum, have some means of making an "efficient" sound signal - (i.e. handheld air horn, athletic whistle - Human voice/ sound not acceptable).
X	X	X	X	Sound Producing Devices	(b) A vessel 39.4 ft (12 meters) or greater, must have a sound signaling appliance capable of producing an efficient sound signaI, audible for 1/2 mile with a 4 to 6 seconds duration. In addition, must carry on board a bell with a clapper (bell size not less than 7.9 inches - based on the diameter of the mouth)
X	X	X	X	Backfire Flame Arrestor	Required on gasoline engines installed after 25 April 1940, except outboard motors
X	X	X	X	Navigational Lights	Required to be displayed from sunset to sunrise and in or near areas of reduced visibility.
		X	X	Oil Pollution Placard	(a) Placard must be at least 5 by 8 inches, made of durable material. (b) Placard must be posted in the machinery space or at the bilge station.
		X	X	Garbage Placard	(a) Placard must be at least 4 by 9 inches, made of durable material. (b) Displayed in a conspicuous place notifying all on board the discharge restrictions.
X	X	X	X	Marine Sanitation Device	If installed toilet: Vessel must have an operable MSD TypeI, II, or III.
		X	X	Navigation Rules (Inland Only)	The operator of a vessel 39.4 ft (12 meters) or greater must have on board a copy of these rules.

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