PWC Insurance – Visual Distress Signals on Coastal Waters
Any boat 16 feet or more in length or any boat carrying six or less passengers for hire on coastal waters must carry U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals (which must be readily available and in good serviceable condition). Devices suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, or devices suitable for both day and night use must be carried.
Between sunset and sunrise, no person may use a boat less than 16 feet in length on coastal waters unless U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals suitable for night use are on board.
No person may use a boat unless the required U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals are readily available and in good and serviceable condition.
Exceptions. The following persons are exempt from carrying visual distress devices suitable for day use, however, they must carry on board U.S. Coast Guard approved visual distress signals suitable for night use when operating between sunset and sunrise.
a. A person competing in any organized marine parade, regatta, race or similar event;
b. A person using a manually propelled boat; or
c. A person using a sailboat of completely open construction, not equipped with propulsion machinery, under 26′ in length.
