US coast Guard requirements for Hobie AI and TI?

I was reading the US coast guard regs and it appears that any boat 16 to 26 feet must also have the following: (the AI is 16' 7"):

-Visual distress signal (x3)
-Fire Extinguisher
-Sound Producing Device (whistle is acceptable)
-Navigation Lights
-one Throwable PFD (immediately available)
-Official number on inside of boat (3 inches tall)

https://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF There is a chart on page 43.

Since the AI is 16' 7" does it mean that I need all this stuff or am i not reading the regs correctly? My boat and trailer is registered so at least i got that part correct.

None of the people I know in Florida have all of those items on board (no fire extinquisher, throwable pfd). If anything, they follow the WaterTribe safety gear, which is quite extensive (http://www.watertribe.com) Look under "read this/required equipment."

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

The flares and flare gun projectiles (vary pistol) need to be current (not expired, they have a date on them).

If you are more than a mile or two from shore you can expect the CG to swing by and make sure you have the correct stuff, if not, they will direct you back to shore (safety first, that's their job). Fyi never get caught with spear guns on board in the protected areas. And of course have the right fishing licenses,(and know your fish types and restrictions).

I always carry at least one extra PFD strapped on the rear deck. Most of the time when we have more than 3 people along, I have a bag of 4 standard pfd's that I strap to one of the AMA's just in case, (lol yea we have had 6 on board, (adults and kids), not fun). Obviously when overloaded we stay close to shore only go out in very calm conditions (mostly snorkeling).

We have the registration numbers on the front of the boat, I have never seen a boat with the numbers on the inside.

We always have a working FM radio. ( and my Iphone in a waterproof case)

We have a very good anchor (Guardian G4) and 150 ft of anchor line, (kinda important as divers).

We don't have a fire extinguisher, but probably should.

We have two hand operated bilge pumps (in case one fails).

We have an inflatable 4 person boat (650 lb capacity), with a foot operated pump that we fold up and store in the bow. Whenever we go offshore, we always pack the lifeboat, (just in case). We are divers and usually have way too many people and way too much gear, (scuba gear, tanks, masks fins, coolers, etc). We often tow the dingy behind the TI on a long line directly behind the centerline of the stern, (doesn't effect steering), actually it's hard to know it's even back there when underway. You don't want to overload the TI, 600 lbs capacity means 600lbs in our experience.
When we have extra kayaks, we typically just have them hang onto the dingy, or tie a line to their bow and the stern of the dingy. We found out the hard way that you can't haul gear on towed kayaks (they flip over in the ocean).

We always carry waterproof charts of the area we plan to be, and at least two working mechanical compasses. Electronics do fail, you never want to get caught out offshore at night or in fog and rain without a compass (you lose all sense of direction).

Our TI has two complete sets of nav lights (red/green/white), just in case one fails. We also carry at least two working waterproof flashlights as well, you can't see anything at night, without a flashlight you will hit channel marker posts, bouys without a flashlight,(very embarrassing). We are day sailers and never plan to be out after dark, however, you never know if the wind is going to die, or changing conditions, we have come back in after dark several times (never planned). We always mark our launch as a way point on our gps, several times now we could't find our launch (all the resorts look the same from offshore especially in key largo.
I will never go out offshore again without an emergency outboard and a couple hundred miles of fuel on board, even if I don't use it,(strictly our preference).
Our TI is heavily modified for offshore, I strongly recommend not taking a stock TI far offshore in open ocean, the boat has a CE 'D' rating (look it up), I feel that rating should be heeded unless you are very experienced, and know what to do to prepare your boat for offshore (double/triple reduncy on everything), It's darn dangerous out there, just sayin.

We always tell someone responsible our planned route and when we expect to return, (just a good practice).
I'm not trying to be debbie downer here, but we have been in some pretty hairy situations, It's pretty wise to know your boats real capabilities (not imagined), for example if you are a mile or two offshore fighting against the wind and current the stock TI cannot point high enough or sail fast enough to get back in (this happened to us many times, 8 hrs of exhausting sheer horror). Sure the mirage drives are great, but all of us get exhausted eventually.
All just my opinions, we love our TI's (we are on our 3rd TI now) and wouldn't trade it for anything
FE

Just some notes of possible clarification from my own interpretation of the rules over the years. This applies to vessels between 16 and 26 feet.

1. The interior numbering and related requirements are only for "USCG Documented" vessels. Vessels less than 5 net tons are not eligible and must satisfy the registration requirements and lettering of their home port state. Owners of craft over 5 net tons can choose either state registration or USCG registration except for certain vessels, such as commercial fishing ships, that explicitly must be USCG Documented.

2. The fire extinguisher requirement is a bit trickier. If you store containers of "combustible or flammable materials" inside the hull, technically you should have a fire extinguisher onboard. This would apply even for a can of propane for your camping stove. Here is the specific text:



3. A whistle or air horn are required.

4. The flares and lighting requirement are at times contradictory as to whether required for all vessels or only those operating between sunset and sunrise. At a minimum I recommend at all times carrying an operable flashlight that can be deployed in sufficient time to avert a collision at night, and 3 projectile flares (day, night, or mixed).

Peter

I am outfitting my boat with safety gear to venture to the Texas coast for the first time.
I recently found these inexpensive waterproof flashlights that have a pretty good reputation:
Dorcy Waterproof LED Flashlight 41-2510, 55-Lumens, Yellow
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039 ... UTF8&psc=1

I wanted some extra protection on an ACR PLB and found this pouch that fit's it well:
Maxpedition TC-1 Pouch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JU ... UTF8&psc=1

And this one for the handheld VHF:
5.11 Radio Pouch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019 ... UTF8&psc=1

I have been carrying a marine flotation cushion. They are cheap and come in handy to sit on the hakas with.

My "offshore" PFD is a vest with manually activated bladder which inflates >inside< the vest, so by definition, the vest hangs loose on the body to allow room for the 150N bladder to inflate. I got the manufacturers to add slotted strips on the front of each shoulder to accommodate my ACR PLB and Lowrance VHF, so both can be operated while floating in the water. Crotch straps prevent it sliding over my head (I would actually recommend fitting crotch straps to ALL PFDs, so you no longer need to wear a very tight waist belt)


(Let's not talk about the person who initially carefully sliced the outer vest with a scalpel and accidentally pierced the bladder! Not only did it cost a new bladder, but when it was mentioned to the company rep at a subsequent boat show, much merriment ensued, as the story was passed right through the company (blush)

_________________
Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

[quote="tonystott"]My "offshore" PFD is a vest with manually activated bladder which inflates >inside< the vest, so by definition, the vest hangs loose on the body to allow room for the 150N bladder to inflate. I got the manufacturers to add slotted strips on the front of each shoulder to accommodate my ACR PLB and Lowrance VHF, so both can be operated while floating in the water. Crotch straps prevent it sliding over my head (I would actually recommend fitting crotch straps to ALL PFDs, so you no longer need to wear a very tight waist belt)


That the nicest/most functional PDF I've seen Tony.

_________________
Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

I particularly like the 6 external zipped and drained pockets, plus stack of cloth loops for attaching bits & pieces. The diagonal zip top left is for the gas bottle, while internal there is also a small pocket for the included whistle. With my added VHF andPLB, it ticks all the boxes for me.

Hobie Australia sold the same PFD (in orange & black, with Hobie logo) but didn't have a big enough size to fit me, and they eventually dropped it from their range. Strangely enough, the manufacturer, Stormy Lifejackets, has also abandoned this model from their range. They specialise in commercial lifejackets/clothing/harnesses etc for commercial users (ship's pilots etc)
https://www.stormylifejackets.com.au/pr ... l/sailing/

_________________
Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

JMHO, and applying to us in the USA, but I would start with following the USCG requirements to the letter, then find out who has jurisdiction over the water upon which you are sailing and investigate their guidelines.

For example, here in Virginia, you may be subject to the rules of the USCG, DGIF (Department of Game and Inland Fisheries), local sheriff's department, U.S. Park Police, or others depending on which body of water you sail (or paddle). When I lived in Florida, the Florida State Police had a Marine Patrol who took care of most of the close in coastal areas.

Remember, you will never win an argument with any sort of law enforcement person on the side of the road. Same applies to water.

I, and to my knowledge my friends, have never had a problem with marine police or CG sailing AIs, AI 2s, and tandems in south Florida waters for the past 10 years. All of us wear a good PFD, carry VHF radios and whistle, use a SPOT device and sometimes a PLB.

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

I can witness Keith's statement as well - in 55 years on the water, much in Florida, I've been "inspected" once in Mississippi. But most of these regulations are here for your own good. Better to be prepared and not need it.

-Visual distress signal (x3) - This is always a good idea.
-Fire Extinguisher - Not necessary unless you have a gasoline engine or other flammables onboard. The CG will take that into consideration.
-Sound Producing Device (whistle is acceptable) - This is an absolute must have. Small boats on the water need to be able to be seen and heard.
-Navigation Lights - Only if you sail after dark. There are low cost battery powered nav lights readily available for small boats.
-one Throwable PFD (immediately available) - This is always a good idea.
-Official number on inside of boat (3 inches tall) - This is a point of contention with the AI/TI. The Hobie sticker allows only one or two passengers yet their advertising clearly shows up to five people on a TI. Solely at their discretion the CG or other local officials can and will hold you in violation if you have more than the number of people shown on the sticker onboard. I've been asked twice to go back to shore immediately when I had only three people on my TI.

Regarding fire extinguishers and gas outboards, the quote below is from Colorado boating requirements but its also common. You might check individual state requirements.