Chapter 11.04
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
11.04.010 Personal flotation devices (PFD).
11.04.080 Prevention of noise and smoke.
11.04.010 Personal flotation devices (PFD).
A. Performance requirements for PFD’s (adult sizes) are as follows:
1. Type I PFD is a device designed to turn an unconscious person in the water from a face downward position to a vertical or slightly backward position and have at least twenty-two pounds of buoyancy.
2. Type II PFD is a device designed to turn an unconscious person in the water from a face downward position to a vertical or slightly backwards position and have at least fifteen and one-half pounds of buoyancy.
3. Type III PFD is a device designed to keep a conscious person in the water in a vertical position and to have at least fifteen and one-half pounds of buoyancy.
4. Type IV PFD is a device designed to be thrown to a person in the water and is not designed to be worn. It is designed to have at least sixteen and one-half pounds of buoyancy.
B. Every vessel less than sixteen feet in length shall have at least a Type I, II or III PFD on board for every occupant, except that:
1. Canoes, kayaks, personal watercraft and similar type vessels will have at least a Type III PFD worn by the occupant(s)/operator.
2. Persons engaged in waterskiing, kneeboarding, aquaplaning, or similar activity shall have a Type I, II, or III PFD worn when engaged in such activity.
C. Every vessel sixteen feet and greater in length shall have at least one Type I, II or III PFD for every occupant. Except for canoes or kayaks, each vessel shall have one Type IV PFD in addition to the other PFD’s required.
D. All PFD’s must be in serviceable condition and appropriate size for the person wearing it.
E. All PFD’s must be readily accessible in case of an emergency.
F. All persons under seven years of age shall wear at least a Type III PFD of an appropriate size any time they are on a vessel on any waterway.
(Ord. 618 § 1, 1997; Ord. 479 § 1 (part), 1989)
11.04.020 Lighting.
A. Every nonmotorized vessel that is underway after sunset and before sunrise shall have a lantern or flashlight capable of emitting a white light which shall be temporarily displayed as needed in sufficient time to prevent a collision.
B. Every motorized vessel less than twenty-six feet in length that is underway after sunset and before sunrise shall be equipped with the following lights.
1. A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon (thirty-two points of the compass) and be visible for two miles;
2. A combination light in the forepart of the vessel that is lower than the white light aft. The combination light, which shows green to starboard and a red to port, is fixed to throw the light from dead ahead to two points abaft the beam on respective sides and shall be visible for a distance of one mile.
(Ord. 479 § 1 (part), 1989)
11.04.040 Flame arrester.
A. Every vessel equipped with an inboard engine installed after April 24, 1940, shall be equipped with a back-fire flame arrester except:
1. Engines accepted for use without a flame arrester and so labeled by the United States Coast Guard;
2. Where the location of the engine will dispense back-fire flame to the open atmosphere clear of the vessel, persons on board, nearby vessels and structures;
3. Flame arresters must be in serviceable condition, securely mounted with flame-tight connections and have no separation of the grid elements.
(Ord. 479 § 1 (part), 1989)
11.04.060 Fire extinguishers.
A. Motorboats less than twenty-six feet long shall have one Coast Guard Class B-1 or one Class B-II type fire extinguisher if any of the following conditions exist:
1. There is a closed compartment under the thwarts and seats wherein portable fuel tanks may be stored.
2. There are double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation material.
3. There are closed living spaces.
4. There are closed storage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stowed.
5. There is a permanently installed fuel tank.
B. Every motorboat twenty-six and greater feet in length but less than forty feet in length will have at least two United States Coast Guard approved Type B-I fire extinguishers or one United States Coast Guard approved Type B-II fire extinguisher.
C. If a motorboat has an approved fixed fire extinguisher in the engine compartment, it may be substituted for one Type B-I fire extinguisher otherwise required by this section.
(Ord. 479 § 1 (part), 1989)
11.04.080 Prevention of noise and smoke.
A. Every motorboat shall at all times be equipped with a serviceable muffler or other similar device to reduce the sound of engine exhaust, and no person shall use a cutout, bypass or similar device upon any motorboat used upon any waterway except motorboats exempted by a watercraft test or watercraft racing permit.
B. It is unlawful for any person to operate upon any waterway, under any condition of speed, load, acceleration or deceleration in such a manner as to exceed the following:
1. For watercraft and engines manufactured before January 1, 1980, a noise level of 84 dB(A);
2. For watercraft and engines manufactured after January 1, 1980, a noise level of 82 dB(A);
3. For watercraft and engines manufactured after January 1, 1984, a noise level of 80 dB(A).
Such measurements shall be taken by a sound level meter at a distance of not less than fifty feet from the motorboat being operated.
C. The following types of sounds shall be exempt from this section:
1. Normal docking, undocking and waterskier pickup and drop-off operations of all watercraft.
2. Sounds created by safety and protective devices where noise suppression could defeat the intent of the device.
3. Sounds created by a warning device not operating continuously for more than five minutes.
4. Sounds created by emergency equipment for emergency work necessary in the interest of law enforcement work for the health, safety and welfare of the community.
5. Sounds created by the operation of commercial nonrecreational motor-powered craft. These commercial activities include but are not limited to pile driving, dredging, operation of a marina, and weed abatement.
6. Sounds created by activities permitted in Chapter 11.14.
(Ord. 479 § 1 (part), 1989)
11.04.100 Sound devices.
A. Vessels less than sixteen feet in length are not required to have a sound-producing device.
B. Vessels that are at least sixteen feet in length but less than twenty-six feet in length shall have one sound-producing device, either mouth, hand or power operated, capable of producing a blast of two seconds duration and audible for a distance of one-half mile.
C. Vessels that are at least twenty-six feet in length but less than forty feet in length shall have a sound-producing device, either hand or power operated, capable of producing a blast of two seconds duration and audible for a distance of one mile.
(Ord. 479 § 1 (part), 1989)