What is required on a boat in Alabama?
4 min read
Asked by: Frank Cox
When boating in Alabama, you are required to have a wearable PFD available for each person on board your boat. In addition, if your vessel is longer than 16 feet, you must also have at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved Type IV PFD, either a ring buoy or seat cushion.
What has to be on a boat in Alabama?
Boat Equipment Checklist For Alabama
| Equipment | PWC | Boat 16 Ft. To Less Than 26 Ft. |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Boat Operator License Onboard | Required | Required |
| Certificate of Number Onboard | Required | Required |
| Validation Decals Displayed | Required | Required |
| PFDs: Type I, II, III, or V | Required | Required |
What must be carried on a boat?
Boaters must carry at least one of the following devices that are suitable for day or night use: Hand red flare, distress signals. Floating orange smoke distress signals (day) Pistol projected parachute red flare distress signals.
Do you have to wear a lifejacket on a boat in Alabama?
It’s the law!! Everyone on board a vessel must have a life jacket available to them. Make sure they fit properly and are in good condition. Anyone being towed on skis or a tube, riding a Jet Ski or Sea Doo, or boating within 800 feet below a dam must wear a life jacket.
What equipment is required on a vessel 16 feet or longer?
If the vessel is 16 feet or more in length, one throwable floatation device – Type IV – like a ring is required as well. Life jackets must be easily accessible, in good working condition, and fit the individual it is intended for properly. Each state has their own regulations regarding children’s life jackets.
What must be affixed to both sides of a vessel?
The registration number and validation decals must be displayed as follows. Number must be painted, applied as a decal, or otherwise affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. Number must read from left to right on both sides of the bow. Number must be in at least three-inch-high BLOCK letters.
Can passengers drink on a boat in Alabama?
It is legal for people over the age of 21 to possess an open container of alcohol on a boat. Boating laws are not the same as the laws that govern alcohol use in land-based vehicles. The Alabama “open container law” applies only to public roads and rights-of-way, Brooks said.
What safety equipment is required on your boat and must appear as an item on your pre departure checklist?
Equipment. Make sure that you have the required number of lifejackets or PFDs, that they are in good condition, and that they are the proper sizes for the persons on board. Encourage everyone to wear a lifejacket or PFD.
Do you have to have a whistle on a boat?
To comply with Navigation Rules and for distress signaling purposes all boats must carry a sound producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a 4-second blast audible for ½ mile.
What flares do I need on my boat?
two hand-held red flares or two parachute flares. two parachute flares. If you operate both inshore and offshore you only need to carry an offshore set of flares. All boats operating outside protected waters must carry flares.
Are you required to have a VHF radio on a boat?
Although not required in recreational boats under 65.5 feet long, a Very High Frequency (VHF) Marine Radio allows instant communication between your boat and other boats, marinas, bridges, and the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
What size boat requires a life ring?
Vessels 16 feet and over, except canoes and kayaks, must have one wearable Coast Guard-approved life jacket of a type and size appropriate for the conditions and the boating activity being engaged in for each person aboard, plus at least one Type IV throwable flotation device.
What object is required on a 15 foot boat?
Fire Extinguisher
One B-1 fire extinguisher is required for 15-foot boats; B-1 fire extinguishers are USCG-approved fire extinguishers and are intended for use in marine situations.
How many fire extinguishers must be carried onboard power boats?
If your boat is less than 26 feet, you need one 5-B fire extinguisher on board. If your boat is between 26 and 40 feet, you need either two 5-B fire extinguishers or a single 20-B fire extinguisher.
Which vessels are required to carry a sound producing device?
Vessels that are 39.4 feet (12 meters) or more in length must have a sound-producing device that can produce an efficient sound signal. The sound signal should be audible for one-half mile and should last for 4 to 6 seconds.
