Orion Safety Products - Marine Safety Products

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Guide To Other Federally Required Safety Equipment
Specified for all boats up to and including 65ft. in length.

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BOAT SIZE	PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER	PFDS (PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES)	BELL	WHISTLE OR HORN
Under 16 ft.	When no fixed fire extinguisher system is installed in machinery space(s), at least one B-I type approved hand-portable fire extinguisher is required. (NOT REQUIRED on outboard motorboats unless than 26 ft. long if construction of such boats will not permit entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors). When an approved fixed fire extinguisher system is installed in machinery space(s0, no B-I type extinguisher is required.	Type I, II, II or V required of each person aboard or being towed on water skis, etc. Canoes and kayaks must carry PFD of any type (except type IV) for each person aboard regardless of craft size. Type V PFD must be worn.	None required	All vessels including kayaks and canoes, are required to carry a sounding device to signal your intentions and to signal your position during periods of reduced visibility.
16 ft. to less than 40 ft.	When no fixed fire extinguisher system is installed in machinery space(s), at least one B-I type approved hand-portable fire extinguisher is required. (When an approved fixed fire extinguisher system is installed in machinery space(s), no B-I type extinguisher is required.	Type I, II, II or V required of each person aboard or being towed on water skis, etc. plus one throwable on water type IV device. Same canoe/kayak requirements as boats less than 16 ft. Type V recreational hybrid PFDs must be worn when the boat is underway, except by persons below decks.	None required	All vessels are required to carry a sounding device to signal your intentions and to signal your position during periods of reduced visibility.
20 ft. to less than 40 ft.	At least two B-I type approved portable fire extinguishers; or at least one B-II type approved portable fire extinguisher. When approved fixed system is installed, one less B-I type extinguisher is required.	Type I, II, II or V required of each person aboard or being towed on water skis, etc. plus one throwable on water type IV device. Same canoe/kayak requirements as boats less than 16 ft. Type V recreational hybrid PFDs must be worn when the boat is underway, except by persons below decks.	Required on board all vessels over 12 meters, 39'4"	All vessels are required to carry a sounding device to signal your intentions and to signal your position during periods of reduced visibility.
45 ft. to 65 ft.	At least two B-I type approved portable fire extinguishers; or at least one B-I plus one B-II type approved fire extinguisher. When approved fixed system is installed, one less B-I type extinguisher is required.	Type I, II, II or V required of each person aboard or being towed on water skis, etc. plus one throwable on water type IV device. Same canoe/kayak requirements as boats less than 16 ft. Type V recreational hybrid PFDs must be worn when the boat is underway, except by persons below decks.	Required with mouth of bell at least 200 mm (7-7/8 inches) in diameter	Required - One power operated whistle or horn audible for at least one mile.

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Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
Type I-Designed to turn an unconscious person from a face down position in the water to a vertical or slightly backward position. Has buoyancy of at least 22 pounds. Recommended for offshore cruising, acceptable for all size boats. Example: Life Preserver
Type II-Designed to turn an unconscious person from a face down position in the water to a vertical or slightly backward position. Has buoyancy of at least 22 pounds. Recommended for closer, inshore cruising, acceptable for all size boats. Example: Buoyant Vest.
Type III-Most wearable type designed to keep conscious person in a vertical or slightly backward position. Has buoyancy of at least 15.5 pounds. Designed for comfortable wearing during activities where great likelihood exists for entering the water. Recommended on lakes, empoundments and close operation. Acceptable for all boats. Example: Special Purpose Device.
Type IV-Designed to be thrown to a person in the water not worn. Must have at least 16.5 pounds of buoyancy. Example: Buoyant Cushion, Ring Buoys.
Type V- To count towards a boat's PFD requirements, they must be worn. There are many "hybrid" type V devices both fixed and inflatable buoyancy.

All currently approved lifesaving devices fall into one of the performance categories.

*These requirements may have been updated since this page's last update. Consult your local U.S. Coast Guard station for the latest regulations.

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Signaling Guide • Products • USCG Requirements