Unit 4 Flashcards
Certificate of number (Registration card)
You must sign the original certificate of number upon receipt and carry it on board whenever the vessel is operated
Which boats require registration?
NVA, you must have a certificate of number (registration) and validation decals to operate your vessel legally on the public waters of VA. The only exceptions are: Nonmotorized vessels, vessels properly registered in another state and on Virginia waters for 90 or fewer consecutive days, vessels documented with the USCG, Vessels operating under valid temporary registration
The registration number and validation decals must be displayed as follows
Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the bow. Number must be read from left to right on both sides of the bow. Number must be in at least 3 inch high vertical block letters. Numbers color must contrast with its background. Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen; for example, VA 4696 AF or VA-4696-AF. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow. Decals must be affixed to each side of the vessel within six inches of, and in line with, the registration number. Expired decals must be removed. PWC’s are also required to display the registration number and validation decals
Other facts about titling and registering your boat
Vessels propelled by a motor and sail powered vessels over 18 feet in length must be titled. A certificate of number expires every three years, the registration number assigned to your vessel remains the same. If you change your address, sell, abandon, destroy your vessel, if your vessel is stolen, contact VDGIF within 15 days. if you lose or destroy your certificate of number or decal, you must apply to the VDGIF for a duplicate and submit a processing fee
Hull identification numbers
Unique 12 digit number of signed by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972. Distinguish one vessel from another, are engraved in the fiberglass or on a metal plate permanently attached to the transom.
Example: ABC 67689 B6 06 (manufacturers id code, hull serial number, date of manufacturer, model year)
No Wake or Idle Speed
The slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and headway; your vessel should not produce a wake at this speed
Gunwale
Upper edge of boat’s side (generally pronounced “gunnel”)
Bolos alcohol concentration (BAC)
Because you can drink faster than your system can burn off the alcohol, there is an increasing level of alcohol in your blood
Moor
To keep a boat in place by setting anchor or tying the boat to a fixed object or buoy
Americas Waterway Watch
Anyone who spots anything is asked to call the National Response Center’s 24-hour hotline, 1-800-424-8802 or 1-877-24WATCH
PFD Requirements
Right size, good condition, readily accessible
PFD sizing
Based on body weight and size
Offshore life jackets
For rough or remote waters where rescue may take a while. Will turn most persons unconscious face up in the water. Excellent flotation, provide most bouyancy.
Near shore vests
For calm waters when assistance or rescue is likely. Will turn unconscious person face up in the water
Type 3: Flotation aids
Calm waters when assistance or rescue is likely. Not recommended for rough waters bc it will not turn a person face up. Used for water sports, some inflate when you enter the water
Type 4: throwable devices
Designed to be thrown to someone. Not for rough waters or persons unable to hang onto it
Type 6: special use devices
Designed for specific activities (windsurfing, kayaking, water-skiing). Some inflate when you enter the water. Must be worn and used in accordance to their label
Types of fire extinguishers
Classified by a letter and number symbol. Number indicates size of extinguisher, letter indicates type of fire it will extinguish
Types A-C fire extinguishers
Type A- fires are of combustible solids like wood
Type B- fires are of flammable liquids like gasoline or oil
Type C- fires are electrical fires
All vessels are required to have a type B on board if
Powered by an inboard or stern drive gasoline engine. Vessel length of 26 feet or more. Closed compartments where portable fuel tanks can be stored or in which flammable or combustible materials may be stored. Closed living spaces. Permanently installed fuel tanks. Double-bottoms not sealed to the hull or are not completely filled with flotation material
Number and type of required fire extinguishers on less than 26 feet vessel
Without fixed system: one B-1
With fixed system: none
Number and type of required fire extinguishers on vessels 26 feet to less than 40 feet
Without fixed system: Two B-1 or one B-2
With fixed system: one B-1
Number and type of required fire extinguishers on vessels 40 feet to less than 65 feet
Without fixed system: three B-1 or one B-2 and one B-1
With fixed system: two B-1 or one B-2
Fire extinguisher charger indicators
Check the charge level regularly, replace immediately if not fully charged.
Backfire
Explosion or prematurely ignited fuel or of unburned exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine
Ventilation systems
Are crucial. Purpose it to avoid explosions by removing flammable gases. Properly installed systems greatly reduce the chance of a life threatening explosion
How ventilation systems work
As the boat moves, an air intake scoops up fresh air and forces it down the air duct into the engine compartment. The exhaust sucks out the explosive fumes from the lowest part of the engine and fuel compartments
Mufflers and noise level limits
All vessels must have a permanently installed muffling system and be used to muffle the noise of the exhaust in a reasonable manner
Navigation lights law
All vessels must have proper navigation lights and use when away from dock between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility such as fog or heavy rain.
Lights required for power driven vessels less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) when underway
Red and green sidelights visible of at least 2 miles away (if less than 39.4 feet [12 meters] at least one mile away on a dark clear night) all around white or a masthead and sternlight if less than 39.4 feet. Must be visible for two miles away. The all around white light must be at least 1 meter higher than the sidelights.
Lights required for unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet when underway
Red and green sidelights visible from at least 2 miles away on a dark clear night. A sternlight visible from at least 2 miles away
Lights required for unpowered vessels less than 23 feet when underway
Same light required for unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet. If not practical, have at least one lantern or flashlight shining a white light
Lights required for all vessels when not underway
Display a white light visible in all directions between sunset and sunrise when moored or anchored outside a designated mooring area
Federally controlled waters
Coastal waters, the great lakes, territorial seas, bodies of water connected to the previous ones up to a point where the body of water is less than 2 miles wide
Signaling devices: visual distress signals
Required to carry when operating between sunset and sunrise. Exceptions for day signal requirement is recreational vessels less than 16 feet, non-motorized open sailboats less than 26 feet, manually-propelled vessels
Pyrotechnic visual distress signals
Orange smoke- handheld, day signal Orange smoke- floating, day signal Red meteor- day and night signal Red flare- day and night signal Should be stored in dry, cool, prominently marked location
Non-Pyrotechnic visual distress signals
Arm signal- used if you don’t have a distress signal on board.
Electric light- night signal
Orange flag- day signal, must be at least 3x3 with black black square and ball
Combinations of VDSs that meet requirements
Three handheld red flares (day and night)
One handheld red flare and two red meteors (day and night)
One handheld orange smoke signal (day), two floating orange smoke signals (day), one electric light (night only)
Sound producing device requirements
Vessels less than 20 meters- whistle or horn or some other means of making efficient sound signal
Vessels that are 20 meters or more- on board whistle or horn and a bell
Common sounds signals
A short blast lasts one second. A prolonged blast lasts 4-6 seconds
Changing direction
One short blast- i intend to pass you on my port (left side)
Two short blasts- i intend to pass you on my starboard (right side)
Three short blasts- i am backing up
Restricted visibility
One prolonged blast- at intervals of not more than two minutes used my power driven vessels underway
One prolonged blast plus two short blasts- at intervals…. Is the signal used by sailing vessels
Warning
One prolonged blast- warning signal (ex. When coming around a blind bend or exiting a slip)
Five (or more) short, rapid blasts- signal danger, signal you do not understand, or you disagree with the other boaters intensions
Divers flag
Rectangular red flag, at least 12x12 inches with white diagonal stripe (if one Virginia state waters)
Alfa flag
Blue and white if on federally controlled or international waters. Indicates vessel is involved with diving activity
Courtesy equipment inspection
US coast guard auxiliary and US power squadrons will preform a vessel safety check free of charge. If all requirements are met, you will receive a VSC decal. If not, no report is made to any law enforcement agency
Specific PWC requirements
Each rider must wear a type 1 2 3 or 4 PFD.
Ignition safety switch lanyard must be attached to the person, clothing, or operator. Can only carry specified number of passengers by manufacturer
Proper PWC speed
Must reduce speed in no wake or idle speed within 50 feet of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, persons in the water, another vessel other than a pwc
Towing a person with a vessel legally
Only between the hours of one and a half hour before sunrise and one a half hour after sunset. Must have a person on the vessel besides the operator. Person being towed wearing a USCG approved PFD. Must operate in a safe manner
Pollutant disposal laws
Illegal to discharge oil, trash or waste in Virginia federally-controlled waters.
Discharge of sewage and waste
If recreational vehicle with installed toilet facilities it must have an operable marine sanitation device (MSD) on board.
Type 1 and 2MSDs
Type 1 and 2 are usually found on large vessels. Waste is treated with special chemicals to kill bacteria before waste is discharged. Types with “Y” valves that direct waste overboard must be secured so it cannot be opened by placing a lock or non-reusable seal by taking off the handle on the valve
Type 3 MSD
Provide no treatment and are either holding tanks or portable toilets. Collected waste should be disposed of ashore.
Vessels 65 feet or less
May use type 1, 2, or 3 MSD
Vessels over 65 feet
Must install type 2 or 3 MSD
Discharge of trash
If on federally controlled water and vessel is 26 feet or longer you must display a Garbage Disposal Placard in a prominent location.
Garbage Disposal Placard
A durable sign that is 4x9 inches and notifies crew about discharge restrictions
Discharge of oil placard
If on federally controlled waters and vessel is 26 feet or longer you must display a 5x8 inch placard stating the law pertaining to oil discharge
Waste management plan
Ocean vessels that are 40 feet or more with cooking and sleeping facilities must have a written waste management place written by the captain of the vessel
Submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV)
Underwater grasses often found in shallow (usually less than 6 feet), tidal, and non tidal areas
What to do if involved in an accident
Stop immediately. Aid anyone injured unless doing so will endanger their own vessel or passengers. Give in writing, his or her name, address, vessel identification and other vessels operator and/or owner of damaged property
Immediate report of the accident
Notify the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) in richmond, Virginia. Including date, time and exact location of occurrence. Major details of the accident (name of anyone who died or disappeared), name and number of vessel, name and addresses of the owner of the property
Submitting an accident report
Written report must be made within 48 hours if a person dies. 24 hours of the occurrence or if a person is unable to preform normal activities or goes missing from the vessel. Within 10 days of the occurrence or death if an earlier accident is not required. The owner must submit the required report if the opterator of the vessel cant
