Effective 28 Aug 2018

306.100. Classification of vessels — equipment requirements. — 1. For the purpose of this section, vessels shall be divided into four classes as follows:

(1) Class A, less than sixteen feet in length;

(2) Class 1, at least sixteen and less than twenty-six feet in length;

(3) Class 2, at least twenty-six and less than forty feet in length;

(4) Class 3, forty feet and over.

2. All vessels shall display from sunset to sunrise the following lights when under way, and during such time no other lights, continuous spotlights or docking lights, or other nonprescribed lights shall be exhibited:

(1) Vessels of classes A and 1:

(a) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon;

(b) A combined light in the forepart 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 (22 1/2 degrees) abaft the beam on their respective sides;

(2) Vessels of classes 2 and 3:

(a) A bright white light in the forepart of the vessel as near the stem as practicable, so constructed as to show the unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of twenty points (225 degrees) of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light ten points (112 1/2 degrees) on each side of the vessel; namely, from right ahead to two points (22 1/2 degrees) abaft the beam on either side;

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

(c) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points (112 1/2 degrees) of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points (22 1/2 degrees) 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 ten points (112 1/2 degrees) of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points (22 1/2 degrees) abaft the beam on the portside. The side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow;

(3) Vessels of classes A and 1 when propelled by sail alone shall exhibit the combined light prescribed by this section and a twelve point (135 degree) white light aft. Vessels of classes 2 and 3, when so propelled, shall exhibit the colored side lights, suitably screened, prescribed by this section and a twelve point (135 degree) white light aft;

(4) All vessels between the hours of sunset and sunrise that are not under way, moored at permanent dockage or attached to an immovable object on shore so that they do not extend more than fifty feet from the shore shall display one three-hundred-sixty-degree white light visible three hundred sixty degrees around the horizon;

(5) Every white light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. Every colored light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least one mile. The word "visible" in this subsection, when applied to lights, shall mean visible on a dark night with clear atmosphere;

(6) When propelled by sail and machinery every vessel shall carry the lights required by this section for a motorboat propelled by machinery only.

3. Any watercraft not defined as a vessel shall, from sunset to sunrise, carry, ready at hand, a lantern or flashlight showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision.

4. Any vessel may carry and exhibit the lights required by the federal regulations for preventing collisions at sea, in lieu of the lights required by subsection 2 of this section.

5. All other watercraft over sixty-five feet in length and those propelled solely by wind effect on the sail shall display lights prescribed by federal regulations.

6. Any watercraft used by a person engaged in the act of sport fishing is not required to display any lights required by this section if no other vessel is within the immediate vicinity of the first vessel, the vessel is using an electric trolling motor and the vessel is within fifty feet of the shore.

7. Every vessel, except those in class A, shall have on board at least one wearable personal flotation device of type I, II or III for each person on board and each person being towed who is not wearing one. Every such vessel shall also have on board at least one type IV throwable personal flotation device.

8. All class A motorboats and all watercraft traveling on the waters of this state shall have on board at least one type I, II, III or IV personal flotation device for each person on board and each person being towed who is not wearing one.

9. All lifesaving devices required by subsections 7 and 8 of this section shall be United States Coast Guard approved, in serviceable condition and so placed as to be readily accessible. The operator of any watercraft in violation of this subsection or subsection 7 or 8 of this section is guilty of an infraction and shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars. Notwithstanding any provision of law or court rule to the contrary, no court costs shall be imposed on any person due to a violation of this subsection or subsection 7 or 8 of this section.

10. Every vessel which is carrying or using flammable or toxic fluid in any enclosure for any purpose, and which is not an entirely open vessel, shall have an efficient natural or mechanical ventilation system which must be capable of removing resulting gases prior to and during the time the vessel is occupied by any person.

11. Motorboats shall carry on board at least the following United States Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers:

(1) Every class A and every class 1 motorboat carrying or using gasoline or any other flammable or toxic fluid, one B1 type fire extinguisher;

(2) Every class 2 motorboat:

(a) Two B1 type fire extinguishers; or

(b) One B2 type fire extinguisher; or

(c) A fixed fire extinguishing system and one B1 type fire extinguisher; and

(3) Every class 3 motorboat:

(a) Three B1 type fire extinguishers; or

(b) One B2 type and one B1 type fire extinguisher; or

(c) A fixed fire extinguishing system and one B2 type fire extinguisher; or

(d) A fixed fire extinguishing system and two B1 type fire extinguishers.

12. All class 1 and 2 motorboats and vessels shall have a sounding device. All class 3 motorboats and vessels shall have at least a sounding device and one bell.

13. No person shall operate any watercraft which is not equipped as required by this section.

14. A water patrol division officer may direct the operator of any watercraft being operated without sufficient personal flotation devices, fire-fighting devices or in an overloaded or other unsafe condition or manner to take whatever immediate and reasonable steps are necessary for the safety of those aboard when, in the judgment of the officer, such operation creates a hazardous condition. The officer may direct the operator to return the watercraft to the nearest safe mooring and to remain there until the situation creating the hazardous condition is corrected.

15. A water patrol division officer may remove any unmanned or unattended watercraft from the water when, in the judgment of the officer, the watercraft creates a hazardous condition.

16. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of additional specialized lighting used in the act of sport fishing.

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(L. 1959 S.B. 142 § 4, A.L. 1969 S.B. 194, A.L. 1977 H.B. 176, A.L. 1985 H.B. 280, et al., A.L. 1989 S.B. 135, A.L. 2008 H.B. 1715, A.L. 2015 H.B. 269 merged with S.B. 231, A.L. 2018 H.B. 2116)