Class 1-16 feet or over, but less than 26 feet in length.

Class 2-26 feet or over, but less than 40 feet in length.

Class 3-40 feet or over, but not more than 65 feet in length.

§ 3.5 Lights required.

Every motorboat when underway from sunset to sunrise shall carry and exhibit the following lights, and during such time no other light which may be mistaken for those prescribed shall be exhibited.

(a) Classes A and 1:

(1) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon.

(2) A combined lantern in the fore part of the vessel and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on their respective sides.

(b) Classes 2 and 3:

(1) A bright white light in the fore part of the vessel as near the stem as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light 10 points on each side of the vessel; namely, from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on either side.

(2) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon and higher than the white light forward.

(3) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the starboard side. On the port side a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the port side. The said side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.

(c) Every white light heretofore prescribed in this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles, and every colored light shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of 1 mile.

(d) Any motorboat may carry and exhibit the lights required by the Act of October 11, 1951 (65 Stat. 406-420),

as amended (33 U.S.C. 143-147d), in lieu of the lights prescribed in this section.

(e) All other vessels shall display the lights prescribed by Statutory Rules of the Road (33 U.S.C. 143–147d; 151-232; 241-295; and 303-356), which include but are not limited to the following requirements for sailboats and hand-propelled vessels:

(1) Vessels when propelled by sail alone shall exhibit the following lights: On the starboard side a green light, and on the portside a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon from dead ahead to 2 points abaft the beam. Such vessels shall also carry at the stern a 12-point white light so fixed as to throw the light 6 points from aft on each side of the vessel; or in a small vessel if it is not possible on account of bad weather or other sufficient cause for this light to be fixed, such vessel shall carry ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision. Sailboats less than 40 feet in length may carry a combined light in lieu of separate side lights.

(2) All hand-propelled vessels operated between sunset and sunrise shall have ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid collision.

(3) All vessels at anchor between sunset and sunrise, unless anchored at a designated site, shall carry forward or where it can best be seen a bright white light to show all around the horizon and visible for 1 mile.

§ 3.6 Lifesaving equipment required.

(a) All motor vessels shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver for each person on board, and such vessels carrying passengers for hire shall also be provided with an additional number of approved life preservers suitable for children equal to at least 10 percent of the total number of persons carried.

(b) Motorboats when carrying passengers for hire shall be provided with a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver for each person on board, and with an additional number of approved life preservers suitable for children equal to at least 10 percent of the total number of persons carried.

(c) Motorboats of Class 3 not carrying passengers for hire shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver or ring life buoy for each person aboard.

(d) All other vessels shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver, ring life buoy, buoyant vest, or buoyant cushion for each person aboard.

(e) Lifesaving devices required on all vessels shall be in a good and serviceable condition, and shall be so placed as to be immediately accessible in the event of emergency.

§3.7 Signaling devices.

Motorboats shall be provided with an efficient whistle or other sound producing device as set forth below:

1-------- Mouth, hand, or power operated whistle or other sound producing mechanical device, capable of producing a blast for 2 seconds or more duration, and audible for at least one-half mile.

Hand or power operated horn or

whistle capable of producing a blast of 2 seconds or more duration, and audible for at least 1 mile; and a bell.

3‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒ Power operated horn or whistle capable of producing a blast of 2 seconds or more duration and audible for a distance of at least 1 mile; and a bell.

§ 3.8 Flame arrestors.

Each carburetor of every gasoline engine except outboard motors installed in a vessel shall be equipped with an efficient flame arrestor approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

§ 3.9 Ventilation.

All vessels which use fuel having a flashpoint of 110° F. or less shall be equipped with ventilators as required by the U.S. Coast Guard.

§ 3.10 Fire extinguishers.

All motorboats shall carry at least the minimum number of hand portable fire extinguishers approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, as set forth below, except that motorboats of Classes A and 1 of open construction which are propelled by outboard motors but are not carrying passengers for hire need not carry such fire extinguishers.

(a) Vessels subject to United States Coast Guard inspection and certification shall not be operated on navigable waters of the United States unless the vessel has a valid certificate of inspection issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

(b) In all waters, the operator of any vessel engaged in commerce, including a vessel carrying passengers for hire, must have either a valid U.S. Coast Guard operator's license or a valid operator permit issued by the Superintendent, following presentation of a valid U.S. Coast Guard operator's license or other adequate evidence of competency by the applicant. On vessels carrying passengers for hire which are operated on navigable waters of the United States, the only acceptable evidence of competency will be a valid U.S. Coast Guard operator's license. In the case of those persons holding operators' permits issued by the Superintendent, violation of the regulations in this chapter or disregard of the conditions outlined in the permit by the permittee or other person under the direction or control of the permittee, will constitute cause for the cancellation of the permit.

(c) The use of liquified petroleum gases and gasoline for cooking, heating,

Class 1-16 feet or over, but less than 26 feet in length.

Class 2-26 feet or over, but less than 40 feet in length.

Class 3-40 feet or over, but not more than 65 feet in length.

§3.5 Lights required.

Every motorboat when underway from sunset to sunrise shall carry and exhibit the following lights, and during such time no other light which may be mistaken for those prescribed shall be exhibited.

(a) Classes A and 1:

(1) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon.

(2) A combined lantern in the fore part of the vessel and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on their respective sides.

(b) Classes 2 and 3:

(1) A bright white light in the fore part of the vessel as near the stem as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light 10 points on each side of the vessel; namely, from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on either side.

(2) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon and higher than the white light forward.

(3) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the starboard side. On the port side a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the port side. The said side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.

(c) Every white light heretofore prescribed in this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles, and every colored light shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of 1 mile.

(d) Any motorboat may carry and exhibit the lights required by the Act of October 11, 1951 (65 Stat. 406-420),

as amended (33 U.S.C. 143-147d), in lieu of the lights prescribed in this section.

(e) All other vessels shall display the lights prescribed by Statutory Rules of the Road (33 U.S.C. 143-147d; 151-232; 241-295; and 303-356), which include but are not limited to the following requirements for sailboats and hand-propelled vessels:

(1) Vessels when propelled by sail alone shall exhibit the following lights: On the starboard side a green light, and on the portside a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon from dead ahead to 2 points abaft the beam. Such vessels shall also carry at the stern a 12-point white light so fixed as to throw the light 6 points from aft on each side of the vessel; or in a small vessel if it is not possible on account of bad weather or other sufficient cause for this light to be fixed, such vessel shall carry ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision. Sailboats less than 40 feet in length may carry a combined light in lieu of separate side lights.

(2) All hand-propelled vessels operated between sunset and sunrise shall have ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid collision.

(3) All vessels at anchor between sunset and sunrise, unless anchored at a designated site, shall carry forward or where it can best be seen a bright white light to show all around the horizon and visible for 1 mile.

§ 3.6 Lifesaving equipment required.

(a) All motor vessels shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver for each person on board, and such vessels carrying passengers for hire shall also be provided with an additional number of approved life preservers suitable for children equal to at least 10 percent of the total number of persons carried.

(b) Motorboats when carrying passengers for hire shall be provided with a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver for each person on board, and with an additional number of approved life preservers suitable for children equal to at least 10 percent of the total number of persons carried.

(c) Motorboats of Class 3 not carrying passengers for hire shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver or ring life buoy for each person aboard.

(d) All other vessels shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver, ring life buoy, buoyant vest, or buoyant cushion for each person aboard.

(e) Lifesaving devices required on all vessels shall be in a good and serviceable condition, and shall be so placed as to be immediately accessible in the event of emergency.

§ 3.7 Signaling devices.

Motorboats shall be provided with an efficient whistle or other sound producing device as set forth below:

1-------- Mouth, hand, or power operated whistle or other sound producing mechanical device, capable of producing a blast for 2 seconds or more duration, and audible for at least one-half mile.

Hand or power operated horn or

whistle capable of producing a blast of 2 seconds or more duration, and audible for at least 1 mile; and a bell.

3‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒ Power operated horn or whistle capable of producing a blast of 2 seconds or more duration and audible for a distance of at least 1 mile; and a bell.

§ 3.8 Flame arrestors.

Each carburetor of every gasoline engine except outboard motors installed in a vessel shall be equipped with an efficient flame arrestor approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

(a) Vessels subject to United States Coast Guard inspection and certification shall not be operated on navigable waters of the United States unless the vessel has a valid certificate of inspection issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

(b) In all waters, the operator of any vessel engaged in commerce, including a vessel carrying passengers for hire, must have either a valid U.S. Coast Guard operator's license or a valid operator permit issued by the Superintendent, following presentation of a valid U.S. Coast Guard operator's license or other adequate evidence of competency by the applicant. On vessels carrying passengers for hire which are operated on navigable waters of the United States, the only acceptable evidence of competency will be a valid U.S. Coast Guard operator's license. In the case of those persons holding operators' permits issued by the Superintendent, violation of the regulations in this chapter or disregard of the conditions outlined in the permit by the permittee or other person under the direction or control of the permittee, will constitute cause for the cancellation of the permit.

(c) The use of liquified petroleum gases and gasoline for cooking, heating,

The Statutory Rules of the Road (see 3.5(e)), which have been enacted by the Congress to prevent collision of vessels, must be observed by vessels which are subject to these regulations. The following regulations of this section outline specific requirements set forth in these rules which are hereby adopted for all vessels operated on any area waters.

(a) In narrow channels, when it is safe and practicable, every vessel shall keep to the right of the middle of the channel.

(b) When vessels are approaching each other head on, or nearly so, each shall be operated to pass the other on the port side at a distance and speed so that the wake of each will not endanger the other.

(c) When a vessel desires to pass another traveling in the same direction, the overtaking vessel shall keep clear of the overtaken vessel and shall not pass until it is safe to do so, and then at such speed and distance so as not to endanger the overtaken vessel. The overtaken vessel shall maintain its course and speed until the overtaking vessel has safely passed. An overtaking situation shall exist whenever a vessel approaches another from any direction more than two points abaft the beam of the other vessel.

(d) A crossing situation shall exist when two vessels are approaching each other at right angles or obliquely so as to involve risk of collision, other than when one vessel is overtaking another. In a crossing situation, the vessel which has the other on her own port side shall hold her course and speed; and the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way of the other by directing her course to starboard so as to cross the stern of the other vessel, or stop and reverse if necessary to avoid collision.

(e) Any vessel propelled by machinery shall keep clear of any vessel under sail or being propelled by oars or paddles.

(f) Safe and prudent speed shall be maintained in docking, fishing, or buoyed areas so as not to endanger persons, vessels, or other property.

§3.13 Accidents.

(a) In case of collision, accident, fire, or other casualty, the operator shall render such assistance as may be practicable and necessary to other persons affected. He shall also give in writing his name, address, and identification of his vessel to any person injured or to the owner of any property damaged.

(b) A report of collision, accident, fire, or other casualty that results in property damage or any personal injury or death to any person must be made by each operator of the vessels involved to the Superintendent as soon as possible, and in any event within 24 hours. This report does not relieve the responsibility of making boating accident reports as may be required by States or the U.S. Coast Guard.

§3.14 Prohibited operations.

(a) No operator or person in charge of any vessel shall operate or knowingly permit any other person to operate a vessel in a reckless or negligent manner, or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property.

(b) No operator shall permit any person to ride on the gunwales, transom, or on the decking over the bow of a vessel propelled by machinery while the vessel is underway, unless the vessel is adequately equipped with rails or guards: Provided, however, That this shall not apply while the vessel is being maneuvered for mooring or unmooring, or when embarking or disembarking passengers.

(c) Operating or being in actual physical control of a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited.

(d) No privately owned vessel shall be used to carry passengers for hire, or be used in any other commercial operation, unless written authorization has been granted in accordance with § 5.3 of this chapter, except as provided by special regulations for areas having navigable waters.

(e) Vessels transported by vehicles must be launched or removed from the waters only at designated launching sites.

(f) No vessel shall be operated within