PURSUIT OS 345 Owner'S Manual Download

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9-6

Section 9

Safety Equipment

OS 385

worn at all times when the vessel is under-
way. Throwable devices must be immedi-
ately available for use. All Pursuit boats
must be equipped with at least one Type I, II
or III PFD for each person onboard, plus one
throwable device (Type IV).

Visual Distress Signals

All Pursuit boats used on coastal waters, the
Great Lakes, territorial seas, and those
waters connected directly to them, must be
equipped with Coast Guard approved visual
distress signals. These signals are either
Pyrotechnic or Non-Pyrotechnic devices.

Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals

Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be
Coast Guard approved, in serviceable condi-
tion and readily accessible. They are
marked with a date showing the service life,
which must not have expired. A minimum of
three are required. Some pyrotechnic sig-
nals meet both day and night use require-
ments. They should be stored in a cool, dry
location. They include;

•

pyrotechnic red flares, hand held or aer-
ial.

•

pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand-held or
floating.

•

launchers for aerial red meteors or para-
chute flares.

Pyrotechnics are universally recognized as
excellent distress signals. However, there is
potential for injury and property damage if
not handled properly. These devices pro-
duce a very hot flame and the residue can
cause burns and ignite flammable material.
Pistol launched and hand-held parachute
flares and meteors have many characteris-
tics of a firearm and must be handled with
caution. In some states they are considered
a firearm and prohibited from use. Make
sure you are careful and follow the manufac-
turer's instructions when using pyrotechnic
distress signals.

Non-Pyrotechnic Devices

Non-Pyrotechnic visual distress signals
must be in serviceable condition, readily
accessible, and certified by the manufac-
turer as complying with U.S. Coast Guard
requirements. They include:

Orange Distress Flag, day use only.

The distress flag is a day signal only. It must
be at least 3 x 3 feet with a black square and
ball on an orange background. It is most dis-
tinctive when attached and waved from a
paddle or boat hook.

Electric Distress Light, night use only.

The electric distress light is accepted for
night use only and must automatically flash
the international SOS distress signal. Under
Inland Navigation Rules, a high intensity
white light flashing at regular intervals from
50-70 times per minute is considered a dis-
tress signal.

Sound Signaling Devices

The navigation rules require sound signals
to be made under certain circumstances.
Recreational vessels are also required to
sound fog signals during periods of reduced
visibility. Therefore, you must have some
means of making an efficient sound signal.

Navigation Lights

Recreational boats are required to display
navigation lights between sunset and sun-
rise and other periods of reduced visibility
(fog, rain, haze, etc.) Navigation lights are
intended to keep other vessels informed of

WARNING

FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD

Pyrotechnic signaling devices can
cause fire and/or explosion, death,
serious injury and property damage if
misused. Follow the manufacturer’s
directions in the use of these signal-
ing devices.