Coast Guard inspection

[Hotwired]

I was pulled over on the Detroit River near Belle Isle on Sunday (8/3) morning at 5am for a safety inspection.
They asked for my PFD, a throwable, whistle/horn and fire ext.

My questions are:

1. My boat is registered as 15'-11" on my registration so do all I really need legally is a PFD?

2. Why was I not asked to show flares (heard something before you had to be so many miles off shore).

3. Are the gun type flares allowed on the Canadian side of the river and lake?

Thanks in advance.

[malainse]

Boating laws differ somewhat on federally controlled waters vs: inland...


1. See here- http://boat-ed.com/mi/handbook/index.htm

2. They can inspect for what the want ! Flare requirement- http://boat-ed.com/mi/handbook/distressdevices.htm

3. Yes, as long as you are in possession of your boat registration..

Canada rules-Some differ from the US..http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/debs/obs/equipment/rescue/menu.htm

[JWICKLUND]

Malainse provided everything you need to find your answers. The biggest thing I see when I am checking people for marine safety devices is expired flares. A lot of people seem to overlook them for some reason.

[Hotwired]

They did not ask to see my flares.
When I got home I called the Belle Isle Coast Guard Station.
They stated you do need flares unless you are either 2 or 3 miles off shore.
I'm not sure which one the stated that is why I am looking for a clarification.

[boehr]

Of course just a clarification, flares are federal law and only a federal officer such as USCG can enforce flares. There is no state law requiring flares at any time.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

The great lakes and connecting waters (SCR and DR) are under Federal control (along with the Mississippi and a couple of rivers down south). Inland would be strictly state enforced. Sometimes there is a difference in requirement of equipment in boats. (lights and such)

As long as long your on Fed waters , must follow Fed rules. (I would think)

This is one reason we need a Capt. license on Fed waters(Great lakes and connecting waters), but only need a Guide license on inland waters.

[malainse]

Federal Rules:

Recreational boats 16 feet and over used on coastal waters or the Great Lakes and connecting waters up to a point where it is less then Two miles wide are required to carry a minimum of either 1) three day and three night pyrotechnic devices, 2) one day non-pyrotechnic device (flag) and one night non-pyrotechnic device (auto SOS light) or 3) a combination of 1) and 2).

Recreational boats less than 16 feet on coastal waters or the Great Lakes need only carry night visual distress signals when operating from sunset to sunrise.

---------------

Here is Good link that will help, is a walk though inspection..
http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/vsc/vsc_a.html

[Ferg]

The correct information has been provided above -

ferg....
You must have a signalling device - you likely were not asked, because the boarding officer had already seen one in his view. However, there is no requirment that he ask you for such - when I was doing boardings - we would mix up what we asked for from boat to boat - depending on what waters the boardings were taking place -

[WAUB-MUKWA]

You do not need flares on the river because the river is mostly 1/2 a mile wide and is determined that it isn't a wide navigable waterway.

[Ferg]

Granted it's been awhile sense I was on active duty - however, I can find no reference to 'wide navigable waterway' - a waterway is either 'navigable' or it is not. Now - there maybe determinations as to types of vessels that are capable of navigating any given waterway - but that would be another thread.


ferg....

For more study see this link to 33CFR329 however, this is only as far as CG/Fed is concerned - your state defines rivers and inland lakes so there maybe some other info available on the mi.gov site.

http://www.usace.army.mil/cw/cecwo/reg/33cfr329.htm

:)

[JWICKLUND]

You do not need flares on the river because the river is mostly 1/2 a mile wide and is determined that it isn't a wide navigable waterway.

Perhaps you can explain your answer and back them up with law. You state "the river", which river are you referring to? If you are referring to the Black River Harbor then ok, I am familiar with that one, but I can't believe that all rivers would fall under your explaination. Please clarify so their is no confussion for the people who may read this.