Beyond Required Equipment
This week’s safety article will look at equipment that you
are required to have on board your boat. Both the federal
and state governments set equipment requirements.
Just because your boat conforms to these regulations does not mean you are
ready to cast off.
Still, I was having trouble conceiving of a thorough set of
equipment regulations. Then I came across an article by
John Rousmaniere who said use the ORC Special Regs.
These regulations are used in racing, whether it’s an around
the world race (Category 0) or an in sight of land buoy race
(Category 4 or 5). These regulations are also used in
conjunction with the annual Mackinac races. What this means
is that these regulations can be of use to just about any sailor, allowing you to customize equipment to your
situation.
Using these regulations as a jumping off point here are what
the Regulations advise in certain areas.
Bilge Pumps: For Category 4 (close to shore in daylight)
the ORC regs call for “one manual bilge pump”. Electric
bilge pumps are fine, but electricity and water are not
always good for each other. A manual pump adds reliability
and if portable can reach many areas of the boat. Manual
pumps are available as hand portable models or larger
permanent models.
Navigation Lights: For all types of sailing the regulations
read, “Navigation lights shall be mounted so that they will
not be masked by sails or the heeling of the yacht.” If
you’ve added a larger headsail, or have a recently installed
roller furling unit you may want to verify your lights
visibility. Another option is to install a mast head tri
color light which should solve your visibility problems.
Charts: For all categories, “Navigational charts (not solely
electronic), light list and chart plotting equipment shall
be provided.” To me failing to have charts onboard is
inexcusable. Charts are readily available and Torresen
Marine stocks numerous Great Lakes charts. You can now
update these charts with Local Notice to Mariners which
are now wholly electronic.
Anchors: Requirements range from 1 anchor readily
accessible up to anchors with rope and chain. Both the
anchor and it’s rode are equally important. For anchoring
information see last June’s theme series which begins at
Personal Equipment: Section 5 of the regulations has an
excellent list that individual sailors should peruse.
Areas covered include flashlights, PFD’s and more.
Investing time in studying the regulations can lead to
further safety improvements on board your boat.
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