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 would subject the owner to criminal penalty. Knowing and Willful violation – Wrongful death ..do these sound familiar ? ABYC – CFR 33

10. Carbon Monoxide detector – Smoke and Fire Detectors If you have a generator or fossil fuel fired marine engines and you own the boat as of July 1st 2003 you must have a Carbon monoxide detector . CFR 33 – ABYC It must be functional – not disconnected ! If your boat has a sleeping quarters – you must have a smoke and fire detector I suggest one in each of the sleeping quarters as a minimum.

11. Fire Extinguishers – NFPA 302 10-1.1 requires at least one 4A:30B: Class B2 fire extinguisher available in the machinery space. (engine compartment or generator area).
NFPA 302 and USCG require fire extinguishers at each occupied level. Available fire extinguishers must be permanently mounted to be considered USCG – NFPA or ABYC compliant
NFPA 302 and USCG require all fire extinguisher and extinguisher systems to be inspected at least annually. This must be done to ensure the safety of the crew and passengers. (this inspection may be performed and documented on the equipment inspection tags by the vessel owner) Fire extinguishers (all) need to be inspected and recertified annually. Additional US Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers are required in each occupied level (lower cuddy‘s and upper berths) as well at each entrance/exit of the vessel, machinery spaces and in the galley NFPA 302 - ABYC - CFR 33.

12. Lighting and Control Switches – must be labeled as to the function they serve.

13. Rules of The Road – You must have a copy of the FRESH WATER – Rules of the road for inland seas and waterways on board if your boat is over 28 feet in length. CFR 33

14. Do it yourself AC wiring - It is now illegal to use ROMEX or solid core electrical wire in boats – Many older boats are grand fathered provided it was wired that way at the factory - If you wired it in the last 10 years it must be done with stranded copper wire only. NFPA 302 –ABYC – CFR 33

15. Engine compartment fume blowers and engine compartment bilge pumps must be operational.
CFR 33 – NFPA 302 – ABYC

It is my sincere hope that you have learned something from this article These items are indicative of the top 15 items I discover during the course of an insurance marine survey – the information provided is not meant to be subjective – it is merely meant to assist you in becoming a safe, legal and better boater.

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