Yudu - Digital_REEDs_East08

2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Rules & Regulations
s HASOPENINGSBETWEENITANDnot blockACOMPARed or tTor-n, blowers operate prop-
ment that requires ventilation; erly and worn components are replaced with
s CONTAINSAPERMANENTLYINSTALLEDequivalent marFUELine t ype equipment.
tank and an electrical component that is
Backfire Flame Control
not ignition-protected;
s CONTAINSAFUELTANKTHATVENTS
Gasoline eng
INTOTHAT
ines installed in v

essels after
compartment (including a portable
April 25, 1940, except outboard motors,
tank); and
must be equipped with an acceptable means
s CONTAINSANONMETALLICFUEL
of
TANK
backfir

e flame control. The device must
A natural ventilation system consists of a
be suitably attached to the air intake with a
supply opening or duct from the atmosphere
flame-tight connection and is required to be
(located on the exterior surface of the boat)
Coast Guard approved or comply with SAE
or from a ventilated compartment or from
J-1928 or UL 1111 standards and marked
a compartment that is open to the atmo-
accordingly.
sphere, and an exhaust opening into another
Sound Producing Devices
ventilated compartment or an exhaust duct
Regulations do not specifically require ves-
to the atmosphere.
sels less than 12 meters in length to carry a
Each exhaust opening or exhaust duct must
whistle, horn or bell; however, the Naviga-
originate in the lower one-third of the com-
tion Rules require sound signals to be pro-
partment. Each supply opening or supply
duced under certain circumstances. Also,
duct and each exhaust opening or duct in a
many boats will want to have a horn aboard
compartment must be above the normal ac-
for negotiating locks and opening bridges.
cumulation of bilge water.
When traveling in fog, proper signals must
A powered ventilation system is required
be used.
for each compartment in a boat that has a
Vessels 12 meters or more in length are
permanently installed gasoline engine with a
required to carry on board a power whistle
cranking motor for remote starting.
or power horn and a bell. For the Courtesy
A powered ventilation system consists of one
Marine Examination, the Auxiliary requires
or more exhaust blowers. Each intake duct
some type of horn or whistle capable of a
for an exhaust blower must be in the lower
four-second blast audible for a half-mile for
one-third of the compartment and above the
all boats.
normal accumulation of bilge water.
For boats built prior to 1980, there was
Navigation Lights
no requirement for a powered ventilation
Here is a summary of light requirements
system; however, some boats were equipped
for sail and power boats less than 20 meters
with a blower.
(65.6 feet).
The Coast Guard Ventilation Standard, a
Power-driven Vessels: Vessels of less than
manufacturer requirement, applies to all
20 meters in length should show red/green
boats built on or after August 1, 1980. Some
sidelights (or a combined bow light), a white
builders began manufacturing boats in com-
stern light, and a white masthead light lo-
pliance with the Ventilation Standard as early
cated in the forward half of the craft. Vessels
as August 1978. If your boat was built on
of less than 12 meters in length may show
or after August 1, 1978, it might have been
red and green sidelights (or a combined bow
equipped with either (1) a natural ventila-
light) and an all-round white light in lieu of
tion system or, (2) both a natural ventilation
separate masthead and stern lights. Vessels
system and a powered ventilation system. If
of less than 7 meters with a top speed of less
your boat bears a label with the words “This
than 7 knots may, in lieu of normal running
boat complies with U.S. Coast Guard safety
lights, show an all-round white light and, if
standards,” etc., it is probable that the design
practicable, red and green sidelights (Inter-
of your boat’s ventilation system meets ap-
national Rules only).
plicable regulations.
There are distinguishing lights for towing
All owners are responsible for keeping
vessels, fishing vessels, pilot boats, air-cush-
their boats’ ventilation systems in operat-
ion vessels, and other special types of vessels
ing condition. This means making sure that
and vessels in special situations.
openings are free of obstructions, ducts are
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