USCG Vessel Safety Checks

H

hughesdave123

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 22, 2015
Messages
81
Fluid Motion Model
C-248 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2582B808
Vessel Name
(2008) Deborah D
Has anyone been dinged on the battery covers?

These are the things that are checked . I have never seen a RT with battery covers .

Life Jackets
•Registration and numbering
•Navigation lights
•Ventilation
•Fire extinguishers
•Distress signals (flares, horn, etc.)
•Battery cover and connections
 
Per USCG requirements for recreational vessels, the batteries must be securely fastened to prevent movement, and the battery TERMINALS must be covered to prevent arcing. The entire battery does not need to be covered. On my boat, and I imagine on all Ranger Tugs, the positive terminals all have a rubber sleeve protecting them. That meets the requirement.
 
I keep my lithium ion group 31 battery for by dingy trolling motor in the lazarette. I place it in there just like any other piece of gear.

Would I get gigged on an inspection?

Or do I need to rig up some way to secure it?
 
I think if I was storing a battery, I would treat it the same way as a battery in use. As Brad mentions I think is should still be secured (maybe by just using a strap, but something so it couldn't bounce around) with the terminals covered.

How do you like you Li battery? I presume it is a LifePo4 battery?

Jim
 
I love it. Light weight and you can draw it down 90% without wrecking it. Plenty of run time for the 65 lb thrust trolling motor.

Yes it's a LiFEPO4 battery. I initially bought it to use in my RV. That RV only had one lead-acid house battery, so this enabled me to have twice the power, but half the weight. I sold that RV and had this battery sitting around. When I ordered my tug, I new I could use this battery to power my trolling motor.
 
During my first USCG safety check I was told that I needed to have covers on all the battery positive terminals. One was missing. You do not need a cover over the entire battery. The concern is a dropped tool or other metal object making contact with an unfused positive terminal and ground.

ABYC E-11 requires any continuously energized part to be physically protected with boots, an enclosure or some other cover. These are usually at the batteries and the connections in the starting circuit. Whether it's a positive battery terminal or the positive starter post, if it's not protected by overcurrent protection (breaker or fuse), then it needs a boot or enclosure.

Howard
 
I passed an inspection a month ago by the US Power Squadron who does inspections for USCG. Yes,they checked the battery terminal covers and they WERE covered from the factory on my 2012 RT29. They are also checking for a b=new placard which explains e=disposal of material from the sink. He had an older one he gave me but it sounded like the law has changed yet the new stickers (maybe 5"x8") aren't issued yet. Also checked were type 4 throwable pdf, mascerator discharge valve locked out, back up charts on board, distress sight and sound with back-ups, as well as all the other things mentioned below.
Mike
 
See http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=El ... tsApproval regarding chart carriage requirements. It seems to mean that paper charts aren't required. (I don't think they ever were for R27-size boats; the Code of Federal Regulations requirement for marine charts on board applies to vessels of 1600 or more gross tons.) If so, what is now required for rec vessels?
 
Recreational vessels are not required to carry any navigational equipment. Prudent seamanship however, dictates that you do.
 
Fly-fish":15o36loi said:
I passed an inspection a month ago by the US Power Squadron who does inspections for USCG. Yes,they checked the battery terminal covers and they WERE covered from the factory on my 2012 RT29. They are also checking for a b=new placard which explains e=disposal of material from the sink. He had an older one he gave me but it sounded like the law has changed yet the new stickers (maybe 5"x8") aren't issued yet. Also checked were type 4 throwable pdf, mascerator discharge valve locked out, back up charts on board, distress sight and sound with back-ups, as well as all the other things mentioned below.
Mike
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I was told by my inspector that the placards are not needed on vessels below 26 feet in length .
I was also told this year they prefer throwables not have a rope attached.
 
If they do not want a rope attached to the throwable, does that negate my Lifesling? Do I need some other throwable?
 
tlkenyon":mo0xp502 said:
If they do not want a rope attached to the throwable, does that negate my Lifesling? Do I need some other throwable?
Click to expand...

I was just told you can take the rope off if I want to . but you need a rope , and a throwabel.
 
Looks like maybe a $9.95 throwable cushion is in the works....
 
As a USCG Auxiliary vessel safety check officer I require that at least one of the throwables have a line attached. So does the Snohomish county Sheriff's Marine Division. It is needed to retrieve the person to the boat. Keep the line on the Life Sling, that is why it is there.

Robert Porterfield FSO-PV Flotilla 130-01-08 Everett, Washington
Skipper of Buoy Navigator R-29CB
 
Thank you, Sir, for your advice. The chances of being inspected here in South Dakota are almost zero, but we are doing the Loop next year and I want to get it right.
 
I don't think it is about getting it right but getting a person back into the boat. Imagine to be single handing the boat and you need to get a person back in. I'ld rather have a line on the float to pull someone in then circling around and then leaning over to pull the person in and risking to fall in myself.

If all had gone by rules, the person in the water should already have a flotation device donned and technical does not need one thrown, right? So the line attached pfd serves the purpose of retrieving

Would be nice if common sense was more in use. It is just amusing if the authorities make rules like "we like to see this and that" or whatever this weeks flavor of rules are. Guess I am asking too much from a government body
 
Getting the person back on board is the very reason that the Lifesling is mounted on the swim step rail. We drill with it regularly and know how to use it. Any time I am solo, I wear an auto-inflate pfd, and never leave the cabin unless the boat is in neutral. You only gets one chance to do it right and that goes way beyond mere regulatory compliance.
 
As you all are aware our boats come with B1 fire extinguishers. They meet the USCG MINIMUM requirements. They are rated BC, that is fuel and electrical. These boats have wood, curtains, upholstry and lots of fiberglass materials. The fire extinguishers should be rated ABC. A different chemical and more of it.

On a proper vessel safety check, while charts are technically not required, the current Navigation Rules Book is required on federal navigational waters. We highly recommend a VHF with DSC, dewatering device [ pumps and bucket], mounted fire extinguishers [ some local or state require mounted], proper anchor and line, first aid kit.

If one is going into Canadian waters you are required to have Canadian hard copy charts.

Robert
 
Speaking of fire extinguishers, has anyone installed fire ports in the engine hatch? They allow for dispersal of suppression material into the engine compartment without opening the hatch and thereby introducing oxygen.

Also, has anyone installed a Fireboy-type automatic suppression system in the engine compartment?

I have a congenital fear of fire on boats. I have seen a few burn and it is horrendous.
 
rporterfield said:
As a USCG Auxiliary vessel safety check officer I require that at least one of the throwables have a line attached. So does the Snohomish county Sheriff's Marine Division. It is needed to retrieve the person to the boat. Keep the line on the Life Sling, that is why it is there.

Robert Porterfield FSO-PV Flotilla 130-01-08 Everett, Washington
Skipper of Buoy Navigator R-29CB[/quote


Are you saying a line attached to the USCG approved throwable device is required by law?
Can you cite the law if so?
Dan
Click to expand...
 
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