Safety check

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Robski97

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So im out east and Sherriff comes over and asks if I want boat a inspection. AS always sure... I try and do it every year. He was no joke. Nothing like the Power squardan inspections . HE went tru everyting . His first thing was nav lights .he 90% of the people that fail is due to out nav light. Sure enough one of my lights was working when he came on … stopped working as he circled the boat. I failed. no spare bulb to be had. ( bulb blew ) he climbed in the ER looking for waste overboard valve and its postion. No body ever looked in 12 yrs . Told me it has to be strapped closed. I told him we use … he said while in the bays they want it strapped.

Bell is no longer needed on my size boat. Horn has to wrk , no whistle required. HE checked my HULL ID to reg. again nobody everlooked. Point is nice guy . Very very through …
 
Yep, Bell Rule was changed, boat has to have a "sound producing device" so if the installed horn works, that satisfies the requirement.

We put on a one day class for the yacht club at a prominent local waterfront community. They didn't know about securing the Wye Valve either. Class was well received. Warmly actually. Time to try and set up another one.
 
Rob
did he check for a copy of Navigation Rules?
And will a Kindle copy pass muster?
 
The valve does not have to be strapped. It has to be set so it cannot accidentally open. Take the handle off and stow it in a drawer.
 
They usually get me on expired flares.
Seems everytime I get new ones, they are expired when I get checked.
I think flare expiration is a racket!
 
there was a conversation here some years ago that determined that a key operated overbord pump switch with the key not in the lock was OK instead of strapping the handle. That passed CG boarding inspection where they went into the ER. My key switch was clearly labeled MSD so it was obvious to anyone looking.

And an electronic copy of the rules was OK but I kept a paper copy in the documents folder anyway.
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

The valve does not have to be strapped. It has to be set so it cannot accidentally open. Take the handle off and stow it in a drawer.

Click to expand...
I wire tied the handle closed & just cut and replace the tie when I need to open and/or exercise the valve- so nothing to loose/misplace
 
A zip tie is one way to secure a Y valve closed but closing the sea cock and removing the handle is acceptable along with a key switch (key removed)

I m always surprised to see the number of boats or owners not being aware of this. It s not a Local rule it is a USCG rule whenever within 3nm of us shoreline

I always carry spare nav light bulbs, or now LEDs. We go out quite a bit at night and about half the boats we see are usually missing at least one light
 
quote:
Originally posted by GeeBee

quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

They usually get me on expired flares.
Seems everytime I get new ones, they are expired when I get checked.
I think flare expiration is a racket!

Click to expand...


Get this and end the flare game

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/weem...lare-with-distress-flag--17466988?recordNum=1

Click to expand...


Bought mine earlier this year on sale for $60.
No more expired flares for me!
It's harder to store, however, than the flares & flare gun-it's sort of big.
 
I'm sure the mfg's of flares aren't real happy with W&P. Their sales must have taken a hit.
 
quote:
Originally posted by cwms

I'm sure the mfg's of flares aren't real happy with W&P. Their sales must have taken a hit.

Click to expand...


I think they've already doubled down. Three Flares are required, but Orion sells a kit of FOUR at a higher price.

Keep your expired on the top of your box. Use first. Odds they'll work even 3x expired are very good. A local group activates expired flares as a demo at a local boat ramp. Nearly 100% work, even the ratty looking ones.
 
My waste tank overboard discharge seacock handle is in a hard to get to spot on the far port side in my bilge. I can barely get to it to open and close it. Putting a zip tie on or cutting one off or removing the handle would be impossible.
In fact, if the person inspecting it wants to even see it they are going to have to crawl to the back of my port motor and look deep to the side.
No way to get an eyeball on it by just looking down in to the open hatch.
The NYS rules book on page 48 only says “If the MSD has overboard lines, the valve must be secured in such a man- ner that discharge overboard is prevented.”
It doesn’t say anything about strapping it down or removing the handle.
Is the closed (down) position secured?
I keep it closed, and I remove the discharge pump key from the lock on the panel in the cabin and put it in a separate cabinet making it impossible to activate it accidentally.
If that doesn’t pass inspection, then I guess I can’t pass inspection.
 
quote:
Originally posted by GeeBee

quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

They usually get me on expired flares.
Seems everytime I get new ones, they are expired when I get checked.
I think flare expiration is a racket!

Click to expand...


Get this and end the flare game

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/weem...lare-with-distress-flag--17466988?recordNum=1

Click to expand...


Saw those at the NY Boat Show, spoke to the person at the booth and he said they recommend that traditional flares be carried along with it for daytime use.
Duh! Then why would I need to carry, store, and keep replacing batteries in this thing?
No sale. Moved on to the next booth that caught my eye.
 
quote:
Originally posted by JVM225

quote:
Originally posted by GeeBee

quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

They usually get me on expired flares.
Seems everytime I get new ones, they are expired when I get checked.
I think flare expiration is a racket!

Click to expand...


Get this and end the flare game

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/weem...lare-with-distress-flag--17466988?recordNum=1

Click to expand...


Saw those at the NY Boat Show, spoke to the person at the booth and he said they recommend that traditional flares be carried along with it for daytime use.
Duh! Then why would I need to carry, store, and keep replacing batteries in this thing?
No sale. Moved on to the next booth that caught my eye.

Click to expand...


Why carry both? Instead of replacing flares every 1-2 years, replace them every 4-5 years. Over time you will save money.
 
quote:
Originally posted by JVM225

quote:
Originally posted by GeeBee

quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

They usually get me on expired flares.
Seems everytime I get new ones, they are expired when I get checked.
I think flare expiration is a racket!

Click to expand...

Get this and end the flare game
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/weem...lare-with-distress-flag--17466988?recordNum=1

Click to expand...

Saw those at the NY Boat Show, spoke to the person at the booth and he said they recommend that traditional flares be carried along with it for daytime use.
Duh! Then why would I need to carry, store, and keep replacing batteries in this thing?
No sale. Moved on to the next booth that caught my eye.

Click to expand...

Batteries are good for 60 hours! That would be a loooong time holding it up or floating in the water.
By the way, this strobe is BRIGHT! Blinding, in fact!
 
I check all batteries and flares each spring. Never failed for an expiration date.

However, I once had a stern light not work. It was a loose wire I fixed in 30 sec while he was standing there. Failed me then passed me. Said it had to work when I first turned it on.
 
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