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Monitoring Monday – Watercraft Safety
Join us Mondays as the Clean Water Team shares information and resources on water quality monitoring. This Monday we will look at Watercraft Safety.
Water quality monitoring sometimes requires the use of a boat or paddle craft. Not many of the water quality monitoring groups in California have this need, but a some do. Others use watercraft for other types of watershed stewardship activities including fish collections, MPA and reef surveys, restoration activities, cleanups, and lake shoreline surveys.
When asked about using watercraft the conversation usually starts with how it can be used properly to collect the environmental samples and/or measurements. But the conversation quickly goes to Requirements, Watercraft and Equipment, Roles and Responsibilities, and Recommendations when using watercraft. So that is what we will cover in this message.
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REQUIREMENTS:
Registration - If you own a sailboat over eight feet long or a boat/vessel with a motor (no matter the size), you must register it with DMV to legally operate it on California waterways. www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/register-your-boat-vessel/
USCG Boat Registration, also known as Coast Guard Vessel Documentation, is designed to Federally register your vessel with the United States Coast Guard. This process files your required paperwork with the National Vessel Documentation Center, or NVDC. Unlike State Boat Registration application processes, you will not receive “stickers” or “tabs.” USCG Boat Registration provides you with a Certificate of Documentation form that you must keep onboard your vessel at all times.
Just like automobile registration, documenting your vessel with the US Coast Guard identifies nationality, establishes indisputable possession and helps regulate vessels of restricted trades. To process your documentation simply proceed to our secured Vessel Documentation Forms page: https://unitedstatesvessel.us/vessel-documentation-forms/
Insurance - While boat insurance is not required in California, each organization should consider its own liability and protection needs.
Training And Qualification - Training must be documented in writing and the training record should be to be maintained by the program coordinator.
- As of January 1, 2023, California law requires all boaters 50 years of age or younger to carry the California Boater Card.
- Course Type Varies: online, interactive-online, classroom, classroom-on the water.
- Course Costs: Fee and Free
- Find a Course: https://californiaboatercard.com/courses/
- California Course for Safe Boating Online English and Spanish
https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30826
- Boater Card Fees: The lifetime card fee is $10. The lost card replacement fee is $5.
- US. Coast Guard Auxiliary boating courses provide instruction to boaters at all levels, from the fundamental to the advanced. Courses (virtual and classroom) are taught by experienced and knowledgeable CGAUX instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. They are offered in two modalities: virtual, video conference with CGAUX Virtual PE Instructors, and classroom setting with CGAUX PE Instructors. PUBLIC EDUCATION COURSE FINDER (BY ZIP CODE)
- Each program should develop a plan to train and inform crew and passengers of their responsibilities and provide safety instruction for the watercraft being used.
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Watercraft Equipment Required by the U.S. Coast Guard & California - The specific safety gear required can vary a bit depending on the size and type of boat you’re on. You can look up the exact requirements for any particular boat in the Boater’s Guide to Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats. California has additional required boat safety equipment. The requirements vary depending on whether the vessel is a human powered vessel, a sailboat, or a motorboat (and the size of the motorboat). These requirements can be found here.
Vessel Safety Check (So highly recommended that it should be treated as a requirement.) - A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is performed at your boat − ranging in locations from a boat dock to your driveway. A vessel safety check usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon the size of your boat. Vessels passing safety checks are awarded a U.S. Coast Guard / Auxiliary Decal that informs the Coast Guard / Auxiliary, Harbor Patrol, Sheriff's & Police, and other boating law-enforcement & safety agency's that your boat was in full compliance with all Federal and State boating laws during a safety check for that year. Best of all every Vessel Safety Check is 100% Free of charge!
If your boat does not pass, no citation is issued at that time. Instead, you are provided a written report in how to correct any discrepancies.
Reporting Boat Accidents - Federal law requires the operator or owner of a recreational vessel to file a boating accident report with the State reporting authority if the recreational vessel is involved in an accident that results in any of the following:
- A person dies.
- A person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid.
- A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury.
- Damage to vessels and other property totals $2,000 (lower amounts in some states and territories).
- The boat is destroyed.
According to state law, a boat owner/operator must report their boat accident to California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) if the accident results in death, disappearance or injury to a person requiring medical attention beyond first aid, damage to a vessel or other property exceeding $500 or complete loss of a vessel, regardless of value. Boat accidents must be reported within specific time periods.
Reports must be submitted to DBW within 48 hours of an accident that involves:
- Death occurring within 24 hours of the accident.
- Disappearance of a person
- Injury beyond first aid
Reports must be submitted to DBW within 10 days of an accident that involves:
- A person who dies more than 24 hours after an accident occurs
- Property damage exceeding $500, or there is a complete loss of a vessel.
Reports (Form BAR) should be signed and mailed to: California Division of Boating and Waterways, Attn: Boating Accident Unit, PO Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Accident Reporting Forms may also be found on the Coast Guard's Directive and Publications Division Website at http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-C4IT-CG-6/The-Office-of-Information-Management-CG-61/Forms-Management/CG-Forms/.
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WATERCRAFT & EQUIPMENT
Watercraft:
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Paddle Craft / Human Powered Vessels: Any boat propelled by muscle power, including but not limited to oars, paddles, sculls, or poles.
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Sailboat: Any boat propelled partly or entirely by sails
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Personal Watercraft: A boat less than 13 feet in length, propelled by machinery, that is designed to be operated by sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than the conventional method of sitting or standing inside the vessel.
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Motorboat: Any boat propelled by machinery, whether or not the machinery is the principal source of propulsion.
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Maintenance: Programs should always keep their boat(s) in safe operational condition. Boat operators (skippers) should return the boat, and related equipment and supplies, in the same, or better, condition than when they took it out, or shall immediately inform the project supervisor or program manager of any damage. Only vessels that pass operational inspection and pass its equipment check should be operated. It is suggested that a logbook be maintained to record equipment issues, repairs, and maintenance.
Equipment Checklist: Each organization should develop an equipment checklist that is specific for their type(s )of boating activities. This checklist should cover all required equipment and any additional equipment being used. New equipment should be added to the list whenever it is appropriate.
Example of an Equipment Checklist:
- Vessel Registration
- CA Boaters Card/Vehicle Driver Licenses of all operators if motorized 15Hp or greater.
- Vessel logbook
- Personal Flotation Devices – One per person on board, inspected for condition and adjusted for fit.
- All boats operated on Water Boards’ business shall have at least one Type I, II, III, or V U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD for each person aboard. Boats greater than 16 feet shall have, in addition to the above, one throwable Type IV device.
- Life Ring or USCG Approved Throw-able Flotation Device, (boats over 18’).
- When not underway, and where the Skipper grants authorization, an immediately available U.S. Coast Guard approved (Type IV) 30-inch life ring with not less than 90 feet of 600 pound capacity line may be used in lieu of wearing a PFD (Reference: California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 3389).
- Fire Extinguisher – Serviceable and Secured
- An appropriate fire extinguisher will be marked with a U.S. Coast Guard approval number and/or an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) “Marine” rating and will meet minimum capacity for the size of boat.
- Horn, Whistle or Bell.
- Lights - Running and anchor light requirements as summarized in the Division of Boating and Waterways Guide ABCs of California Boating (https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28731)
- Day Signaling Device
- Night Signaling Device
- Paddle or oars
- Running and anchoring lights in operational condition.
- Anchor and Anchor Line.
- Mooring Line
- Tool Kit and Spare Parts
- Up-to-date Navigation Chats (Either printed or electronic are suitable.)
- Current Tide Table
- Compass
- Trailer Hitch Lock and Key
- Extra Clothing
- Extra Food
- Water – Minimum of 1 quart per person per hour planned on the water
- Flashlight(s)
- First Aid Kit
- Manual Bailing Device (Bucket or bailing device with at least ½ gallon capacity.)
- Electronic Communication Devices
- VHF Marine Band Radios: Boats operated more than one half mile off shore (e.g., ocean, bays, Lake Tahoe) shall be equipped with a two-way marine band radio. The radio shall have a minimum of 1 watt broadcast power. Two-way marine band radio – on board (if applicable).
- Cell Phones: Cell phones are acceptable for operations that do not require a two-way marine band radio, if there is adequate cell phone coverage for the planned area of operations.
- 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB): EPIRB units registered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Search and Rescue Database (http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/beacon.html.
- EPIRB units should be inspected, serviced, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- For units with a self-test feature, Skippers should ensure that the unit has completed a successful self-test immediately prior to getting underway.
- Local Law Enforcement Phone Number:
- Local US Coast Guard Station Number:
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ROLES & RESPONSABILITIES:
Skipper: The individual who operates the boat and/or acts as the lead person for the boating activity. The Skipper has completed the training requirements specified in this procedure for the boat to be used before assuming his/her duties.
The skipper is responsible at all times for the safe operation of their assigned boat, including trailering operations. Skippers are authorized to terminate any boating operation if they believe the operation cannot be completed safely. If the safety concern cannot be remedied, the skipper must report the condition to the Boating Officer.
- Has completed a California Division of Boating and Waterways approved training course and obtain a California Boater Card and has obtained additional USGS licensing as might be required.
- Has completed First Aid and CPR training (CPR training must be current).
- Demonstrated to the satisfaction of the program manager or project supervisor proficiency in boat handling.
- Ensures that Crew members have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to complete the tasks assigned to them.
- Ensures that all Passengers have received a safety briefing before getting underway.
- Completes the Boating Checklist and Float Plan
- Operates the boat in accordance all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes.
- Operates the boat in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and limits.
- Is responsible for ensuring that all required equipment and supplies are present.
- Completes and maintains records in accordance with this procedure and local guidance.
- Periodically inspects, maintains and repairs equipment and supplies as needed to maintain Water Boards’ boating resources in good condition.
- Takes all necessary actions to prevent injury to themselves, their crew, passengers, and persons that may be affected by the boat or its wake.
Crew: Those individuals performing work to assist the skipper operate and manage the boat. The crew acts under the direction of the Skipper at all times while engaged in boating activities, including trailering. Crew members are to ask questions as needed to ensure that they understand all orders given them. All members of the crew will maintain awareness at all times while participating in boating activities and immediately report any unsafe condition to the Skipper.
Crew members should be familiar with the manufacturer’s instructions (if any) for the boating equipment assigned to them and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the skipper, proficiency in safe loading, fueling, trim and balance, or any other boatsman skill needed to assist in the safe operation of the boat and onboard equipment.
Crew members should also be able to demonstrate proficiency in emergency procedures including, but not limited to:
- Person in the Water
- Fire Fighting
Passenger: Passengers are expected to perform duties that are not directly related to boat operations, such as water sampling or using measuring equipment. These duties will be briefed prior to getting underway and will be coordinated with the Skipper. The Skipper has overall authority and may direct the start, stop, or alteration of any passenger activities at any time as needed to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the boat.
- Always listen to your Skipper/Captain.
- Respect the boat and keep aware.
- Know where and when to sit or perform your scientific work.
- Wear your PFD.
- All Passengers will be provided a safety briefing before getting underway. This briefing includes the use of the personal flotation device and the locations of all emergency equipment.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Logbook: Each boat should have a logbook. The logbook is a running account of all official events pertaining to that boat. While not required for recreational boats, keeping a logbook gives you a record of the time and places spent aboard your boat, navigation data and trip notes, maintenance and repairs done on the boat.
Float Plan: Search for an overdue boat has a much greater chance of being successful if the rescue agencies have certain facts. For your own safety and before boating, the skipper should file a float plan with a reliable person (project supervisor or program manager who will notify authorities if necessary).
Invasive Species Protocols: Non-native aquatic species plants, and animals are invading California’s waterways. These pests can displace native species, clog waterways, and create hazardous conditions for navigation and recreation. Once introduced, they are nearly impossible to eradicate. Controlling these aquatic invasive species has become a multi-million dollar problem in California
Take all reasonable precautions to prevent watercraft from transferring invasive species between bodies of water. At a minimum, ensure that the watercraft in use is clean and dry prior to placing it in a body of water. Skippers and crew will maintain awareness of invasive species requirements as detailed by the and the Division of Boating and Waterways and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
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PHOTO CREDITS:
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