California Boater Safety & Things You Need
Boating safety in California is overseen by the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW). Essential safety equipment for boats in California includes life jackets, fire extinguishers, sound signals and working lights. Properly fitting, Coast Guard-approved life jackets, for all children and adults aboard, are the most important safety equipment on any boat. The DBW offers free life jacket trade-ins and giveaways, and also a free course in boating safety with graduation certificates sent to those who pass the course. Learning the rules of the waterways and proper safety equipment requirements are the responsibility of all boaters.
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Life Jacket Laws
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Boats over 16 feet must carry an additional life saving device, such as a bouyant ring.
orange life ring on a fishing pier image by DSL from Fotolia.com
Life jackets are the most important piece of equipment for boater safety. In 2010, California laws changed to require children under the age of 13 in boats that are 26 feet or less, while underway, to wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets. If children under 13 are below decks or in a boat cabin, they do not need to wear life jackets. For boats less than 16 feet, canoes and kayaks, a Coast Guard-approved life jacket must be carried on board and kept in an easily accessible place for each person. All persons riding on personal watercraft must wear a life jacket. Boats more than 16 feet long are also required to have one easily accessible Coast Guard-approved Type IV device, such as a ring, cushion or horseshoe buoy.
Life Jacket Specifications
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Life jackets need to fit properly or they could be dangerous.
boys in life jackets image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com
Life jackets need to fit and be in proper working order. To test the fit, raise your arms while in the life vest and have a friend lift the vest up via the top of the arm openings, as it would float in water. If the vest goes up over your face or chin, it is not a correct fit.
Safety Equipment and Navigation
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Fire extinguishers are required on all boats with motors.
fire extinguisher image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
Motorized boats have fire extinguisher requirements. The type and number of extinguishers vary based on the boat. All boats must have a sound signal such as an air horn. There are also lighting requirements for all boats moving on waters between sunset and sunrise.
The California Boating Safety Certificate
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The DBW offers a free course in boating safety and a free book, "A Course for Safe Boating." After reviewing all the rules, you can take a test provided in the back of the book and mail it to the DBW. If you pass the test, you will get a certificate. Having this certificate lowers boaters' insurance in some areas. You can also order free boating safety resources from the DBW.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit on a boat image by nutech21 from Fotolia.com orange life ring on a fishing pier image by DSL from Fotolia.com boys in life jackets image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com fire extinguisher image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
