Required equiptment

[T-Bone0717]

New to great lakes fishing and was wondering if the required equiptment is different on the great lakes as opposed to inland lakes i.e. floatation devices fire ext. and such

[Priority1]

Required or not I would definitely have a fixed mount VHF radio.

[bigrackmack]

I believe a whissle and flares.......I have then either way......Mack

[DangerDan]

A Coast Guard approved throwable, sound device and flares are the only extra requiremnts to the best of my knowledge but it depends on the size and type of boat. I/O, O/B.

http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/course/boating/4_2.php


A little more reading if your inclined. An ounce of prevention and so on.

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/safetips.htm

[waterfoul]

Flares (3 minimum), throwable PFD, fire extinguisher (or more than one depending on boat length), a sound device (your boats horn, compressed air horn, or a whistle all count), a secondary bailing device (a small bucket works for this) in addition to your bilge pump, and though not "required" the Coast Gaurd will ask to see your anchor. If you have an I/O you must have a flame arrestor on the carburator (if you have a carburated motor). I also HIGHLY recommend at least a hand held VHF... but if you plan on being out there often GET a dash mount and proper antenna. Go to your local West Marine... we can set you up with everything you need to be legal on the Great Lakes.

Once you have your boat outfitted you can have the Coast Gaurd (or your local LEO) do a courtesy check for free to let you know if you have it all covered.

[just ducky]

...Once you have your boat outfitted you can have the Coast Gaurd (or your local LEO) do a courtesy check for free to let you know if you have it all covered.

You won't have to ask them...if you boat on the great lakes, you're bound to be stopped for one of their courtesy checks. I've been checked the last two years, including twice last year alone. :lol: Didn't bother me a bit since I had all required equipment. But expect this visit if you're on the great lakes.

[sailfish]

Nav lights if operating between dusk and dawn.

[greg123]

For the flares make sure you check the expiration date. Expired ones do not count. I've heard of tickets being issued for expired flares. I keep the old ones on board to use first if needed but always carry a new set. Be sure to check the dates when you purchase new ones. I looked at one set in the store that expired a couple months later and right behind them on the rack was a set that was good till 3 years later.

Greg

[Ferg]

Again - depends on the length of your boat - see the links - for 'required' equipment - but like others have said, an ounce of prevention etc - I have said this many times, I would NOT want to explain to my family why I was or they were floating around in life raft for a day or over night waiting to be found because I didn't spend the extra couple of bucks to have a VHF radio, yea I know cell phones blah blah blah -

The Coast Guard doesn't monitor cell phones ;)

ferg....

[FishTales]

I have said this many times, I would want have to explain to my family why I was or they were floating around in life raft for a day or over night waiting to be found because I didn't spend the extra couple of bucks to have a VHF radio ferg....

What would they say if you didn't have that life raft with you ? :yikes: :lol:
Rich