August 4, 2004

Required Equipment

This is a quick reference. It has been drastically trimmed down to only what is required by KAYAKS. Local and State laws may impose additional requirements, and the USCG rules are subject to change. You can read the USCG interpretation of the federal requirements here.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)

All kayaks must carry one wearable PFD (Type I, II, III or Type V PFD) for each person aboard. A Type V PFD provides performance of either a Type I, II, or III PFD (as marked on its label) and must be used according to the label requirements. Kayaks are exempt from carrying the additional throwable PFD (Type IV PFD) that is required for other boats over 16'.

PFDs must be

• Coast Guard approved
• In good and serviceable condition
• The appropriate size for the intended user

Accessibility

• PFDs must be readily accessible
• You must be able to put them on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc.)
• They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them
• The best PFD is the one you will wear.

Though not required, a PFD should be worn at all times when the kayak is underway. A PFD can save your life, but only if you wear it.

Federal law does not require PFDs on racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes, and racing kayaks; state laws vary. Check with your state boating safety officials.

If you are boating in an area under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers, or a federal, state, or local park authority, other rules may apply.

Visual Distress Signals

Kayaks used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and those waters connected directly to them, up to a point where a body of water is less than two miles wide, must be equipped with U.S.C.G. approved visual distress signals. Kayaks owned in the United States operating on the high seas must be equipped with U.S.C.G. approved visual distress signals.

Kayaks (if manually propelled) are not required to carry day signals but must carry night signals when operating from sunset to sunrise when required by the previous paragraph.

Pyrotechnic Devices

Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals must be Coast Guard Approved, in serviceable condition, and readily accessible.

They are marked with an expiration date. Expired signals may be carried as extra equipment, but can not be counted toward meeting the visual distress signal requirement, since they may be unreliable.

If pyrotechnic devices are selected a minimum of three are required and must meet night requirements. Some pyrotechnic signals meet only day, only night, or both day and night requirements.

Pyrotechnic devices should be stored in a cool, dry location, if possible.

A watertight container painted red or orange and prominently marked "DISTRESS SIGNALS" or "FLARES" is recommended.
U.S.C.G. Approved Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals and associated devices include:

• Pyrotechnic red flares, hand-held or aerial
• Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute flares

Non-Pyrotechnic Devices

Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals must be in serviceable condition, readily accessible, and certified by the manufacturer as complying with U.S.C.G. requirements:

Electric distress light

• Accepted for night use only
• Automatically flashes the international SOS distress signal: (... - - - ...)
• Must be marked with an indication that it meets Coast Guard requirements in 46 CFR 161.013.
• Under Inland Navigation Rules, a high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals from 50-70 times per minute is considered a distress signal. Such devices do NOT count toward meeting the visual distress signal requirement, however.

Regulations prohibit display of visual distress signals on the water under any circumstances except when assistance is required to prevent immediate or potential danger to persons on board a vessel.

All distress signals have distinct advantages and disadvantages. No single device is ideal under all conditions or suitable for all purposes. Pyrotechnics are universally recognized as excellent distress signals. However, there is potential for injury and property damage if not properly handled. These devices produce a very hot flame and the residue can cause burns and ignite flammable materials.

Pistol launched and hand-held parachute flares and meteors have many characteristics of a firearm and must be handled with caution. In some states they are considered a firearm and prohibited from use.

Sound Producing Devices

The navigation rules require sound signals to be made under certain circumstances. Meeting, crossing and overtaking situations described in the Navigation Rules section are examples of when sound signals are required. Kayaks are also required to sound signals during periods of reduced visibility. The most common sound producing device a kayaker carries is a whistle.

Navigation Lights

.: Link to Applicable code :.

Kayaks are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and other periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc.).

Vessel Under Oars

Kayaks should display lights for a sailboat (Figures 2 or 3), if practical. As an option, you may carry a flashlight or lighted lantern that can show a white light in sufficient time to prevent collision. (see Figure 4)

Figure 2	Figure 3
Figure 4

Note TITLE 33 CHAPTER 34 SUBCHAPTER I Part C Sec. 2020(b)!

"The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper lookout."

Radio Regulations

Kayaks do not have to carry a marine radio. Any kayak that carries a marine radio must follow the rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The FCC does not require operators of kayaks to carry a radio or to have an individual license to operate VHF marine radios (with or without digital selective calling capability), EPIRBs, or any type of radar. Operators must however follow the procedures and courtesies that are required of licensed operators specified in FCC Rules. You may use the name or registration number of your kayak to identify your ship station.

Users of VHF marine radio equipped with digital selective calling will need to obtain a maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number from the FCC. It is unlawful to use digital selective calling without obtaining this identity.

Radio Listening Watch

Kayaks which voluntarily carry a radio, must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) whenever the radio is operating and not being used to communicate. You may alternatively maintain a watch on VHF channel 9 (156.450 MHz), the boater calling channel.

Distress Call Procedures

1. Make sure radio is on
2. Select Channel 16
3. Press/Hold the transmit button
4. Clearly say: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
5. Also give:

• Vessel Name and/or Description
• Position and/or Location
• Nature of Emergency
• Number of People on Board

6. Release transmit button.
7. Wait for 10 seconds - If no response Repeat "MAYDAY" Call.

VA/MD/DC specific requirements

Virginia Requirements

Note that most areas of the Potomac river are under the jurisdiction of Maryland!

Virginia has no safety boating course requirements for kayaks, but does recommend one.

You are not required to number/register your kayak in Virginia.

Maryland Requirements

Effective April 1, 2006, all children under the age of 4 or weighing less than 50 pounds shall wear a PFD that will:

1. Hold the child securely within the personal flotation device, including a STRAP that is secured between the child’s legs to fasten together the front and back of the personal flotation device;
2. Maintain the buoyancy of the child, including an INFLATABLE HEADREST OR HIGH COLLAR;
3. Ensure the ready accessibility of the child from the vessel, including a WEB HANDLE.

Children under the age of 7 MUST wear a PFD at all times in a kayak.

You must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD at all times when on the Upper Potomac River between November 15 and the following May 15. This regulation is in addition to class III, IV and V White Water Stream segment regulations which require PFDs to be worn at all times by persons underway.

You are not required to number/register your kayak in Maryland.

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) Title 19, Chapter 10, Section 1026 states, "Any person who is operating or navigating any vessel shall have in his or her possession satisfactory evidence of having completed an approved boating safety course, or the person shall make evidence of having completed a boating safety course available to the Harbor Master at the vessel's launching or berthing point on the shore adjacent to the District of Columbia Waters." An Approved boating safety course is any course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators(NASBLA)

You must number/register your kayak if housed in the District.

Except as permitted by the Harbor Master under safe conditions,
no person shall engage in any recreational activities that include, or may result in, direct physical contact with ice on District of Columbia waters.