Three Boat Safety Changes You Need To Know

BoatUS is reminding boaters of three new safety regulations from the U.S. Coast Guard, just in time for National Safe Boating Week on May 21 – 27. 

As of April 20, the Coast Guard enacted a regulation enforcing fire extinguishers on board have a 12-year expiration date from the date of manufacture, and also specifies a minimum Underwriter Laboratory Classification of extinguishers to be carried aboard certain vessels. Boats less than 26 feet and model year 2017 or older may continue to carry older, dated or undated “B-I” or “B-II” disposable extinguishers that must be replaced with newer class “5-B” or greater extinguishers when they are no longer serviceable or have reached 12 years of age. Vessels less than 26 feet and 2018 model year or newer must carry unexpired “5-B,” “10-B” or “20-B” fire extinguishers. 

The second change requires boat operators to use a helm, outboard lanyard or wireless engine cutoff switch on certain vessels less than 26 feet when traveling on plane or above displacement speed, effective as of April 2021.

Thirdly, electronic visual distress signals (eVDSD) are now Coast Guard approved, but boaters still need to carry an orange distress flag aboard if they wish to avoid carrying pyrotechnic devices.

To learn more, visit boatus.com.