Monterey Boats 186MS Owner'S Manual Download

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MONTEREY

BOATS

Registration and Numbering

Federal law requires that all undocumented ves-
sels equipped with propulsion machinery be regis-

tered in the State of principal use. A certificate of

number will be issued upon registering the boat.
These numbers must be displayed on your boat.
The owner/operator of a boat must carry a valid

certificate of number whenever the boat is in use.

When moved to a new State of principal use, the

certificate is valid for 60 days.

In order to be valid, the numbers must be installed

to the proper specifications. Check with your

dealer or state boating authority for numbering
requirements. The Coast Guard issues the cer-

tificate of number in Alaska; all others are issued

by the state.

Insurance

In most States the boat owner is legally respon-

sible for damages or injuries he or someone else

operating the boat causes.  Responsible boaters
carry adequate liability and property damage in-
surance for their boat.  You should also protect the
boat against physical damage and theft.  Some
States have laws requiring minimum insurance
coverage.  Contact your dealer or state boating
authority for information on the insurance require-
ments in your boating area.

Reporting Boating accidents

All boating accidents must be reported by the op-
erator or owner of the boat to the proper marine
law enforcement authority for the state in which

the accident occurred. Immediate notification is

required if a person dies or disappears as a result
of a recreational boating accident.

If a person dies or there are injuries requiring

more than first aid, a formal report must be filed

within 48 hours.

A formal report must be made within 10 days for
accidents involving more than $500.00 damage
or the complete loss of a boat.

A Boating Accident Report form is located near
the back of this manual to assist you in reporting

an accident. If you need additional information
regarding accident reporting, please call the Boat-
ing Safety Hotline, 800-368-5647.

Education

If you are not an experienced boater,  we recom-
mend that the boat operator and other people
that normally accompany the operator, enroll in a
boating safety course.  Organizations such as the
U.S. Power Squadrons, United States Coast Guard
Auxiliary, State Boating Authorities and the Ameri-
can Red Cross offer excellent boating educational
programs. These courses are worthwhile even for
experienced boaters to sharpen your skills or bring
you up to date on current rules and regulations.
They can also help in providing local navigational
information when moving to a new boating area.
Contact your dealer, State Boating Authority or the
Boating Safety Hotline, 800-368-5647 for further
information on boating safety courses.

Required Equipment

U.S. Coast Guard regulations require certain
equipment on each boat.  The Coast Guard also
sets minimum safety standards for vessels and
associated equipment.  To meet these standards
some of the equipment must be Coast Guard ap-
proved.  “Coast Guard Approved Equipment” has
been determined to be in compliance with USCG

specifications and regulations relating to perfor

mance, construction, or materials. The equipment
requirements vary according to the length, type
of boat, and the propulsion system.  Some of the
Coast Guard equipment is described in the Safety
Equipment chapter of this manual.  For a more
detailed description, obtain “Federal Requirements
And Safety Tips For Recreational Boats”  by con-
tacting the Boating Safety Hotline 800-368-5647
or your local marine dealer or retailer.

Some state and local agencies impose similar
equipment requirements on waters that do not fall

under Coast Guard jurisdiction. These agencies

may also require additional equipment that is not
required by the Coast Guard. Your dealer or local
boating authority can provide you with additional
information for the equipment requirements for
your boating area.

OWNER/OPERATOR INFORMATION