Small Passenger Vessel Safety USCG Auxiliary Prevention Directorate

Small Passenger Vessel Safety USCG Auxiliary Prevention Directorate Greg Kester Director - Prevention George Peek Division Chief – Vessel Activities

VESSELS – A GREAT VARIETY 2

Possible Vessel Activities �Charter fishing �Inshore, offshore, river/lake �Eco Tours �Airboat rides �Diving charters �Island hopping �Parasailing �Great opportunities for fun, education, and experiences in all parts of the country. 3

BACKGROUND �Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993 �Divided small passenger vessels into two categories: Inspected and Uninspected �UNINSPECTED DOES NOT MEAN UNREGULATED 4

BACKGROUND �INSPECTED: requires annual inspection and certification by the Coast Guard to operate as a passenger vessel. Compliance certificate and decal are issued. �UNINSPECTED: voluntary examination program to assure that owner/operators are in compliance with federal regulations. A decal is issued. 5

KEY ELEMENTS �An Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) may carry six or fewer passengers (at least one of whom must be a “passenger for hire. ”) � Passenger for hire means “a passenger for whom consideration is contributed as a condition of carriage on the vessel, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent, or any other person having an interest in the vessel. �A vessel carrying more than six passengers, with at least one “passenger for hire, ” generally is an Inspected Vessel. (Exception: vessels between 100 and 300 gross tons may carry up to twelve passengers as a UPV. ) 6

General Federal Requirements �Uninspected Passenger Vessels (UPV) must comply with all federal boating safety regulations for the size and type of vessel. �Fire Extinguishers �Navigation Lights/Sound Signals �Distress Signals �Lifesaving Equipment �Marine Sanitation Devices �As well as other regulatory requirements 7

UPV Decal and Mariner’s Credential 8

UPV Specific Requirements �MARINER CREDENTIAL: All UPVs must be under the direction and control of a USCG licensed individual. This credential must be carried aboard the vessel and be available for examination at all times. �REGISTRATION/DOCUMENTATION: All commercial vessels over five net tons (regardless of length) must be documented. Annual renewal is required. �Non-documented vessels must be state registered. �Original documentation or state registration must be aboard when underway. 9

UPV Specific Requirements �DRUG TESTING: Required for all USCG credentialed mariners and UPV crew members who perform safety sensitive duties. �Pre-employment �Periodic �Random �Reasonable cause �Serious Marine Incident 10

UPV Specific Requirements �ALCOHOL: A person is prohibited from operating a UPV while intoxicated. The level of intoxication for a commercial vessel is 0. 04. �UPVs that cannot return to shore and complete an alcohol test for captain and crew within two hours must carry a sufficient number of alcohol test kits aboard the vessel. Any serious accident involving the vessel, crew, or passengers will require alcohol testing of the vessel personnel. 11

UPV Specific Requirements �LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT: All UPVs must carry at least one Coast Guard approved TYPE-I (offshore) life jacket of a suitable size for each person aboard the vessel. Life jackets used for Ocean, Coastwise, or Great Lakes voyages must also have a working Coast Guard approved PFD (life jacket) light attached. �RING LIFE BUOY: minimum 20 inch, orange or white (domestic), orange (international) 12

Life Jackets and Lights �TYPE I (OFFSHORE) 13

UPV Specific Requirements �SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND ORIENTATION: Prior to getting underway passengers must be informed of: �Stowage of life jackets �Methods of donning life jackets �Types and locations of all lifesaving devices aboard the vessel �Location of the safety instructions and posted emergency instructions 14

UPV Specific Requirements �SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND ORIENTATION (continued) �Passenger Counts (Inland) or Manifest (beyond boundary line) �Emergency Instructions for � Rough weather � Man overboard � Fire � Vessel or voyage specific emergency situations (e. g. , diving, animal encounters, environment, etc. ) 15

Passenger Responsibility �Plan ahead �Inquire whether the UPV operator has a merchant mariner credential and the vessel is equipped appropriately. �Seek out operators who demonstrate and advertise compliance and who have a current UPV decal. �On the trip �Pay attention to the safety briefing (or ask for it, if necessary) �Locate posted emergency instructions �Locate all lifesaving equipment �Be prepared to respond in case of an emergency 16

Uninspected Passenger Vessels �Have FUN on the water and BE SAFE 17

QUESTIONS? 18

Small Passenger Vessel Safety USCG Auxiliary Prevention Directorate Greg Kester Director - Prevention George Peek Division Chief – Vessel Activities auxpeek@gmail. com