1. Boater’s Safety Education
Alabama Boating Requirements

2. Boating Safely in Alabama
Certification
Roberson / Archer Act of 1994 requires that anyone 12 years and older that operates a motorized vessel on the water of this State shall obtain a boaters safety certification

3. All about Boats Classifications
Motorized vessels are divided into 4 classifications according to length
Class A – Less than 16 feet in length
Class 1 – 16 feet to less than 26 feet
Class 2 – 26 feet to less than 40 feet
Class 3 – 40 feet to 65 feet

4. Recreational Boats Small Utility boats and Jon Boats
Widely used for fishing
Most made of aluminum
Powered by outboard engine

5. Generally start at 18 feet in length and up to 50 or 60 feet
Recreational Boats
Cruisers
Larger in size
Generally start at 18 feet in length and up to 50 or 60 feet

6. Recreational Boats Runabouts Most are made of fiberglass or aluminum
Powered by inboard or outboard engines

7. Recreational Boats Personal Watercraft
Considered by the U.S. Coast Guard as a Class A Vessel
Powered by inboard engine or jet pump
Subject to the same laws as larger vessels

8. Recreational Boats Canoes, Kayaks, and Inflatable's
Mostly powered by paddles and oars

9. Recreational Boats Sailboats and Sailboards Variety of sizes
Most are powered by Sail and or engines

10. Boat Capacity Plate Mounted in plain site of the vessel operator
Tells the operator the following information…
Maximum number of people it can carry
Maximum weight in pounds
Maximum horsepower for that vessel

11. Parts of a Vessel Beam Freeboard Waterline Draft Propeller Chines Rail
Outboard Motor
Stern
Steering Wheel
1 Combination Light (Red, Green)
Windshield
Cleat

12. Registration Required for all mechanically propelled vessels
Reads from left to right
Bold and 3 “ high
Contrasting color
Above the water line
Spaces between letters and numbers
Decals must be displayed 6 “ from the numbers

13. Equipment Requirements
PFD – Personal Flotation Device
Must be U.S Coast Guard Approved
Should fit properly

14. Know What the Law Requires
Effective May 1, 1995, a wearable U.S. Approved Coast Guard PFD approved Type I, II or III life preserver is required for each person aboard all vessels no matter the length

15. Vessels 16 feet or longer
1 approved wearable PFD for each person on board
Plus at least 1 throwable PFD device
(Type IV)

16. PFD’s and the law
All persons under the age of 8 years old on any vessel shall wear an approved wearable PFD that is remains snapped, clipped or zipped at all times, except within an enclosed cabin or sleeping quarters. \

17. PFD Type’s 5 Coast Guard approved type’s of PFD’s

18. Equipment Requirements
Fire extinguishers
Classified by Letters and Numbers as to the type and size fire they can put out
Most vessels require a Type B,C – Dry Chemical Extinguisher
Type B – Flammable Liquids
Type C – Electrical Fires

19. Equipment Requirements
Emergency Shut-Off Switch
Illegal to operate a motorized vessel less than 24 feet with an open cockpit and a motor with more than 50 HP unless it is equipped with an emergency motor shut-off switch

20. Equipment Requirements
Backfire Flame Arrestor
Internal Combustion Engines may backfire
All motorboats except outboards and diesels must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved backfire flame arrestor

21. Equipment Requirements
Mufflers
Illegal to operate a motorboat in any manner that exceeds 86 decibels at 50 feet

22. Equipment Requirements
Whistles, Horns, and Bells
Both inland and International rules require all boats some means of producing effective sound signal
If your boat is 12 meters or longer a power whistle, horn or bell must be carried

23. Equipment Requirements
Light Requirements for Pleasure Crafts
All vessels must show running lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility
Light Requirements vary from vessel length and propulsion type

24. Light Requirements
Anchor Light – all around white light visible for 2 miles
Red Light on the bow shining Left or Port side
Green Light on bow shining right or Starboard side

25. Navigation and Safety
Enforced By the U.S. Coast Guard along with State enforcement authorities
Hazards
Operator Awareness
Overloading / Overpowering
Speed Regulations
Restricted Areas
Riding on Decks and Gunwales
Interference with Navigation
Mooring to Buoys

26. Navigation and Safety Hazards Pollution Regulations
Motorboat Operator Age
Water Skiing
Races and Regattas

27. Navigation Rules Who has the right of way? Meeting Head-On
Each Vessel shall turn to the to the Starboard (right) and pass the other vessel on its Port (Left)

28. Navigation Rules
Crossing
Stand on Vessel Holds course and speed

29. Navigation
Hopefully you have learned a little more than Miss Teen South Carolina did in school!!!