Stopped by Coast Guard

T

turtleblues

New member
I was stopped by the Coasties this weekend as I headed out in my 16 Angler. I was stopped last year and they boarded and I had no violations. This year they told me that I needed a throwable life ring because I am 16 feet. Last year I was told that I did not need one because I was 16 feet.
Apparently being 16 feet is causing some confusion among the Guard as interpretation if we need a throwable for vessels under 16 feet and you need one if you are 16 feet or longer. They also checked for noise maker and all other safety gear. I carry flares, but was told I did not need them unless I was heading more that 3 miles offshore.
I was not written up, but will have to go get a life ring. I am surprised that fenders would not count as throwable.
 
You aren't 16 feet, you are 15' 11". Sounds petty but it is the break point. I got hassled by customs one year about being 30' as that was the break point for some permit. So the customs guy brings out his 16' tape measure, which I questioned. He agreed he would accept the factory specified dimension so I produced my paperwork and got around it. You can do the same thing. But it is nice to have a throwable cushion anyway.
 
Federal requirements for a boat under 16' require a USCG approved PFD (Type I, II, or III) for each person aboard and a USCG approved throwable (Type IV) pillow. Same applies to larger vessels as well.

You can do an online check to see if you have all the required items. URL: http://www.safetyseal.net/vve/

You can also request a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) from the USCG Auxiliary. If you vessel passes the VSC they'll issue a decal that you can display on your boat. Normally, the Coast Guard will pass by a boat that has a VSC sticker. The VSC is a free service.
 
Did they say it had to be a life ring or do you just have to have a throwable? If so the seat cushion type with web handles are handy as a spare seat. I guess you could use the life ring as a porta poddy seat if you had a bucket. Crappy idea I guess.
D.D.
 
I discovered this year that the Life Sling gizmo in the square vinyl bag that was on my boat when I got it does not meet the requirement. Every other year the thing has passed muster with the CG Aux and the marine sheriff, but a CG officer told me during a courtesy check that it isn't acceptable. I do have one of the seat cushion types but I have to get it out if the storage cabinet and carry it in the open.
 
Tyboo,

I have never fully understood the logic behind not allowing the Lifesling. I haven't asked a Coastie, but the Auxiliary couldn't answer the question other than to say it wasn't approved. I almost decided to put the cushion under the seat in storage and use a Lifesling outside for the real thing. Across the board it looks better for the purpose. I know I can't haul someone out of the water hanging onto a cushion and I don't have a lifting point 10 feet above the water, but I have a better chance of of getting someone out of the water in a Lifesling. If anyone knows the answer, I would like to understand the approval language on the Lifesling.
 
Tom,
I am in the same pot. I thought the life sling in the square bag was the latest in throwing devices. I still have my ring mounted on the stbd. side of the cabin on a hook.
Sometimes I think the coasties and the aux. make up things as they go because they do not know.
 
Captains Cat":31apwu50 said:
I've got a Mustang Throwable Rescue Stick] a little pricey but I can throw it a long way! Never had to use it for real, tried it once to make sure it worked, was a real bear to get back in it's jacket! :shock:

Charlie
Click to expand...

I have one too, and like the throwability of it. Have not tried it for real yet. I have one of the cushions on a 75 foot line, and then the "Throw Stick" without a line. Situation decrees which goes first.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
As I understand it all USCG PFD-like devices will have a USCG certificate of approval (together with an appropriate "Approval Category" number) attached or stenciled in a visible location.

It's all rather bureaucratic, but the bottom line seems to be that if the "approval certification," is missing or worn off the device - then the device does will meet USCG requirement if the vessel is inspected.

It all seems rather picky, but at the same time we should understand the USCG is attempting to maintain standards over a vast number of devices and inventions that come to market each year - some of which might be interesting, but probably worthless in a pinch.

If you have a device that has been worn to the extent the label is no longer affixed, or the stencil is no longer legible - it will likely fail an inspection.

I agree with Brian. If you have a current VSC sticker on your boat there is a pretty good chance inspector's will simply go inspect another boat (unless there is some other reason they want to inspect you...).

Casey
 
An interesting item......last week we were coming in from fishing and drove by the TIME BANDIT anchored up off of
Deep Creek with approx. 15 people fishing off of the sides.
awhile later I heard the CG call the TB asking them for numbers documentation, how many aboard, animals, blah...blah...blah. Then they asked them to idle down and prepare for boarding. All hands to muster on the deck.
I think they wanted to make dure that the boat was properly documented and equipped for that many people fishing.
The TB normally docks in Homer.
 
There are certain criteria which a throwable have to meet. Some life slings have been approved:

Here is the informaton:
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?p= ... ght=#30479

We had the fortune to spend several days with the original inverter of the lifesling--and his is quite a guy (Admirality Attorney, who loves to do long distance sails on his 36 foot wooden sailboat). When we met him, he had sailed Seattle to Gallopagos, then to the Faulklands, Picked up supplies in Trinadad, then Panama (not stopping inbetween. His next leg was Panama to Seattle.

There are throwable horseshoe bouys which I consider far better than a "Ring"--but for the small boat--get the cushion. We carry lifeslings on our boats. I believe in Canada you have to have the sprecific ring.
 
Thanks Charlie--I did goof and should have checked the link after it was posted. There was also a discussion of the life sling and its approval a few years ago:
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... 3289b6ce0f

This is from the PDF link I had meant to post @ LIFESLING® OWNER’S PREPARATION GUIDE Updated July 26, 2010
Developed by and for the Bonnell Cove Foundation's "SUDDENLY ALONE Seminar" which was first presented on April 7, 2001 in Mystic, CT.

Here is a quote from that link:

CHOICES. There are five Lifesling ® models in use in the US.
1. The original LIFESLING with 21 lbs of buoyancy, equipped with 150 feet of multi-filament polypropylene floating line. Recommended for 30-80 ft sail and powerboats. Meets ORC/ISAF Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) and is USCG approved as a Type V device. (NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION - Replacement Storage Bags and Fiberglass Cases are still available).
2. The smaller, and less expensive LIFESLING 2 with 21 lbs of buoyancy, equipped with 125 feet of multi-filament polypropylene floating retrieving line. Suitable for powerboats with a lifting point 10 ft above the water and sailboats over 20 ft LOA. Meets ISAF OSR and is USCG approved (Type V which substitutes for a Type IV).
3. The LIFESLING 3 with 21 lbs of buoyancy, equipped with 150 feet of retrieval line for larger boats, stainless steel D-rings, SOLAS reflecting tape, and a rugged UV-resistant, fiberglass case. Meets ISAF OSR and is USCG approved for both recreational and commercial vessels (Type V which substitutes for a Type IV) (New in 2006).
4. The LIFESLING for Commercial Vessels is similar to the Original LIFESLING with SOLAS reflective tape added. Meets ISAF OSR and is USCG approved (Type V). Replaces the requirement for a 24 in ring buoy on uninspected commercial vessels that have a hoisting point at least 10 ft above the deck. (Replaced by LIFESLING 3)
5. The LIFESLING INFLATABLE (previously called RESCUESLING and INFLATABLE LIFESLING), equipped with 125 feet of multi-filament yellow polypropylene floating line, thrown like a softball that automatically inflates into a floatation collar with 25 lb buoyancy that functions similar to the original LIFESLING. (Not USCG Approved) (Recalled in 2010 as not in compliance with new West Marine safety standards)

Based on this and the prior C Brat link, I went down to the boat to check:
I have a Lifesling 2 This states on the device:
A. "Type V Bouyant Rescue device. This is Type V PFD because it has restricted approval. It is approved only as a substitute for a Type IV PFD aboard recreational Sailboats greater than 20 feet in length, and power boats with a lifting attatchment at least 10 feet above the deckwhen used in accorance with the manual....

D. This device is not intended to be thrown or used as a helicopter lifting harness.

G. CG approval number 160.064/3729/0

Thus it could substitute for a throwable IV device if you have that lifting point. Very few C Dories would have that high a lifting point. I belive that the davit rig I have would qualify, if you considered the cockpit to be the deck (up and over the gunnel)--but we always carry several throwable cushions to be legal without debate.
 
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