DID YOU KNOW ?

In my travels and inspections of over 600 Houseboats and other vessels in recent years I have encountered many boaters who are not well read about the finer points of house boating. In this article I will attempt to hi-light a few items that you as houseboat and cruiser owners may not be aware of. Just because it’s on your boat does not make it correct….and just because it’s not on your boat does not make it OK either !

The following items are typical issues I find during the course of an insurance marine survey.

I’ll quote the issue and the related regulations. For the sake of this article we’ll be using the following:
NFPA 302 – the National Fire Protection Agency code 302 for recreational boating.
ABYC – American Boat and Yacht Council
CFR 33 - Code of Federal Regulations Title 33 – or Coast Guard Regulations for recreational boating – failure to follow CFR’s can result in criminal penalties !

1. Batteries – starting and storage batteries should be stored in liquid proof containers so that battery acid can not come in contact with aluminum or steel hulls. We all know what battery acid does to aluminum and steel. They must secured so that they cannot move during a collision and covered so that they can not be accidentally shorted . Storage batteries must also be vented so that they can not build up dangerous level of hydrogen gases. NFPA 302 – ABYC – CFR 33
No more than 4 terminals attached to any one battery – NFPA 302 –ABYC – CFR 33

2. Horns – if your boat is over 32 feet in length you must have a sound powered warning device that can be heard at a minimum of ½ mile away. A trumpet style horn will fulfill this requirement. CFR 33

3. Bells – if your boat is over 32 feet in length you must have a ships bell that is a minimum of 6.5” in diameter. CFR 33

4. Life Preservers - you must have one for each person on board – at all times NO exceptions – they must be readily available. Stored under the front deck or in side the hull in a box does not meet the requirement of readily available. CFR 33

5. Life Ring – You must at all times have a throwable life ring or type 4 Personal Flotation Device on hand at all times and they must be readily available . CFR 33

6. Anchor – Yes, I know we don’t use them much on Lake Cumberland or other deep lakes, but they are still a requirement of CFR 33 – I suggest as a minimum you would need a Hooker #22, 8 feet of 3/8” galvanized chain and 200 to 300 feet of 5/8” three stand nylon rope. Most house boaters already have the rope we use to tie up with when we “cove out” so all you need is the anchor and chain. The chain is $15 at the hardware store and the Hooker #22 is $50 at Boat US. It may not be the perfect storm anchor but it can help keep you off the rocks until help comes.

7. Signal Flares – If your boat is over 16ft long – you are required to have at a minimum three hand held flares and the service dates must not be expired. If you have some that are out of date then keep them and use them first in an emergency….. .then use the newer flares after the out of date ones. CFR 33

8. Exterior AC sockets – all exterior AC 115 volt electrical sockets must be weather protected with spring loaded weather proof covers and they must be GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protected. NFPA 302
The same holds true for AC sockets within 3 feet of a water source – galley and heads included.

9. Generator discharge – If you have a generator and it discharges under the swim platform or any cavity where Carbon Monoxide can be trapped - the discharge must be changed to discharge out the side of the vessel. – no exceptions – no excuses. Failure on the boat owners part to have this repaired or retrofitted woul