Due to the large presence of the Law Enforcement on the water doing safety checks lately, I figured it would be a good idea to put together a list of items they are looking for. This will help you avoid getting cited for items and having to pay fines - and more importantly, be safe. Alan (aka Boat Cop on PB) works for the Lapaz County Sheriff and assisted me putting together a list of items.

Be Sober - I think this is self explanatory

Registration - Make sure your registration is current and you have your certificate of numbers (registration card) with you on the boat

Numbers properly displayed – Block letters, minimum 3” in height, contrasting color to the hull, visible from 50’ away, and properly spaced: AZ 1234 AB or AZ-1234-AB. Current annual decal displayed.

Life Jackets - One Type I, II, III, or V wearable PFD for each person on board. For a type V to be counted, it must be worn. (must be USCG approved, readily accessible and in good, serviceable condition). Also, if the boat is over 16 feet in length, you must carry One Type IV (throwable) PFD. The Type IV throwable must be immediately available. Children 12 years old and under must wear their PFD when the boat is underway. (Underway means not moored, anchored or aground. Drifting with the engine off IS underway)

Example of Type IV Throwable PFDs


Visual Distress signals – Must be carried on Coastal Waters (Ocean) and the Great Lakes. Not required, but recommended, on inland waters.

Fire Extinguisher – Boats less than 26 ft have to have 1 class B1 hand held F/E. 26 ft to less than 40 ft – 2 B1 F/E or 1 B2 F/E. 40 ft to 65 ft 3 BI F/Es or 1 B2 & 1 B1. Fire Extinguishers must be USCG Approved, fully charged, in good condition and readily accessible. A fixed system in the engine compartment can take the place of 1 B1 F/E regardless of size. (Arizona requires that boats less than 26 ft carry a hand held B1 even if equipped with a fixed system)

Sound Producing Device - A vessel over 39.4 ft (12 meters) must, at a minimum, have some means of making an "efficient" sound signal - (i.e. handheld air horn, powered horn, etc. - Human voice/sound not acceptable). Must be audible for at least ½ mile. Boats under 39.4 feet don’t have to carry a horn or whistle, but are required to give proper sound signals, when required.

Ventilation - All vessels with enclosed engine must have natural ventilation (at least two ducts fitted with cowls). All vessels built after 31 July 1980 must have rated power exhaust blower.

Backfire Flame Arrestor - Required on gasoline engines

Navigation Lights - Required to be displayed from sunset to sunrise and in or near areas of reduced visibility. In California, Personal Watercraft cannot be operated between sunset and sunrise whether they have lights or not

Muffling devices – Each boat must be equipped with an effective means to muffle the exhaust noise. The device(s) must be in constant operation and reduce noise to certain levels

Ski flag – To be displayed if there is a skier (or rope, in California) down in the water.

Ski Observer – Must be 12 years of age or older and constantly observing the skier.

CA: A person under 16 may not operate any vessel greater than 8 HP alone. 12 to 15 may operate with an adult actually on board the vessel. Under 12 may not operate.

AZ: A person under 12 may not operate any vessel greater than 8 HP alone. Under 12 may operate with an adult actually on board the vessel.

The Colorado River and its lakes are dual jurisdiction waterways, where each state (AZ, CA, NV, UT) may enforce their own laws anywhere on the River or lake. You may be required to comply with the most restrictive law, when there are differences in regulations (ie age of operation)

Check local laws and regulations wherever you boat, as they may differ from these. Taking a safe boating course will help you learn and understand the law and safe boating practices.

I am curious, since I have never been drinking while driving a boat but how do they test you for being drunk on the water?  Breathalyzer?  Is it still .08 for being drunk?

Typically they will do a field test, then breathalyze. The field test is performed on the officer's vessel and will be things like alphabet type tests, following a pen, touching your nose, etc. Yes, .08 is the legal limit, but I've heard of situations where they determined the person is too intoxicated to operate the vessel even though they blew less then a .08

Real good subject!  Safety first!


I am curious, since I have never been drinking while driving a boat but how do they test you for being drunk on the water?  Breathalyzer?  Is it still .08 for being drunk?

They make you swim in a straight line

Just to add to this is if you were born after jan 1st 1983 you are required a boaters safety course....i know 100% true in nevada, but I believe arizona is likewise

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That is a law that is specific to NV ONLY (not AZ) Interstate waterways (thats including water that boarders the state (ie The Colorado River @ Laughlin)

The specifics of this law are as follows:

All persons who operate vessels powered by a motor over 15 horsepower on interstate waters and who were born on or after January 1, 1983, must take and pass a boater education course or proficiency exam. The course or exam must be one that is approved by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

A person operating a personal watercraft (PWC) must be at least 14 years of age.

A person operating a vessel that is towing a person on water skis, a surfboard, or any other device must be:

    * At least 16 years of age or …
    * At least 14 years of age and have on board a person at least 18 years of age in a position to supervise the operator.

the cop that got me had me blow in his face I chuckled and complied Just finished a cig  

Really? was this the rookie/volunteer? that seems very odd and unhealthy....I'd hate to have to have people blow in my face all day. NO THANKS!

I stand corrected thanks brad

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one ? the plate on the boat tells the wieght and pass allowed is this a mandatory deal thanks rusty

Only on Coast Guard approved vessels manufactured after 1971 and less than 20', it is a little followed thing and was really for liability issues to the manufacturer...In other words, if it is there, it needs to be followed, if it is "not there" there is a formula to figure out what the capacity should be to be considered "safe"...Looking for that right now.

GT

The formula for safe loading (number of passengers) for boats without a capacity plate is: length X width / 15. The resulting number is rounded DOWN to a whole number. For example a 21' boat that is 6 1/2 feet wide at it's widest point would be: 21 X 6.5= 136.5. 136.5 / 15=
 9.1. Round down and the safe number of passengers would be 9. (That includes the driver)

I'm not sure I'd want to put 9 people on my 21' (20' 10") Spectra, but that's what the formula comes out to.

Found it...


Thanks Boat Cop...

GT

thanks for the infor. guys. What a relief don't have one on my boat

Even tho I have been boating for many years and have never had a problem,albeit times are a changin'.. This is a Great Thread for the "newbies"...Please read it and take notice,this stuff is no joke these days!....Safe and happy Boating dayz to come!   "Skee"

Just for clarification. To back B-rad up, the boating course is NOT required in Arizona. Regardless of age. Was stopped once with RJ driving Moo, and noone even asked. You ARE required to have an airhorn or loud whistle no matter the size of boat though.  

Second thing on the OUI deal. Forget .08! They are attacking this from the "Impaired to the slightest degree" angle. .08 means NOTHING in Arizona (At least Maricopa county) either in a car, boat, atv, whatever.......if the fuzz wants to be a prick, you can, and these days with cops being layed off everywhere probably will, still be charged with an OUI or DUI at .01 if they can't find anything else!

Ray

thank you for the clarification and the additional info bc

Alan,

have you ever asked someone to blow in your face to detect alcohol on their breath?

Howard19 says they asked him to do this at a safety check near the needles bridge 

personally, i think it was a volunteer/rookie and the guys on the force were messing with him and he was gullible enough to actually asked him to do it.