Commercial fishing vessel safety regs-liferaft

[soldsoul4foos]

Hi,

Looking at the safety gear needed for offshore fishing. The only thing I'm mildly uncertain about is the life raft. It says, for an undocumented/state registered commercial vessel, beyond 20 miles, an inflatable buoyant apparatus is necessary. Does that mean 'any liferaft'? I'm having a hard time defining that.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[lobstercatcher]

I'd go ask questions, I believe a law was passed that any boat needs safty upgrades as of 1/01/2012f it goes past the territorial line... which is the distanse a cannon ball caould reach in 1776. Very pertanant to boating these days.

 

[petrel]

Bill,

An "IBA" is not the same as a full blown raft w/ the canopy and all the supplies. I just bought an IBA for my headboat to replace the worn out orange "life floats" which will be essentially outlawed after 2014. It just didn't make sense to buy two big new floats for only the next three years, so I bit the bullet and got the IBA. As I understand it the IBA is an "open reversible" lifeboat and has two layers of inflatable chambers, but no canopy. I think the inshore rafts only have one layer, but those don't qualify past 20 miles b/c they have just half the buoyancy. I'm not sure at what point you need a "life raft"- two layers of inflation, plus the cover and more stuff in it- USCG documented vessels, I'm guessing b/c I have a life raft not an IBA on my 31' BHM. That stuff should be online on the Coast Guard site somewhere or in the CFR. Hope this helps. I'm not sure how much cheaper an IBA is than a raft, but it should be a bit less and it will also be less to maintain since there is less to expire and replace. Probably all you need if you fish around other boats.

 

[reelsportfishing]

You need at least a uscg approved coastal raft possibly a solas. You also need a 406 epirb with a hydrostatic release and survival suits for everyone onboard. The rafts need to be inspected every year to be legal. You might want to check a Hamilton Marine catolog. It will tell you what you need and don't forget the commercial flares and the satelite phone if you're fishing Georges.

 

[CaptDave]

Highly recommend you contact the Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Specialist in the Coast Guard Sector nearest to you. They can tell you what you need and also provide a dockside inspection to take a first hand look at your vessel.

Dave

 

[soldsoul4foos]

Copy of the uscg regs....

http://www.uscg.mil/d1/prevention/FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS pamphlet[1].pdf

 

[Crab Potter]

Copy of the uscg regs....

http://www.uscg.mil/d1/prevention/FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS pamphlet[1].pdf

That one is a little dated (2001).

The latest (2009 Update)

http://www.amsea.org/pdf/CommFishSafetyDigest.pdf

And the 2010 law that made changes.

http://www.fishsafe.info/CGAuthActinCodeLaw.pdf

 

[soldsoul4foos]

Can someone explain that last link in English? I don't see a listing of safety equipment changes in that? I haven't read the whole thing yet, I've skimmed it. But it's not nearly as easy to understand as the previous two.

Bill

 

[Crab Potter]

Hopefully the CG will update the plain English version!

 

[soldsoul4foos]

I looked at the 2nd link. Those regs look pretty much the same as the link I posted (the 2001 version). I'm not sure what things are going to be affected for a 25' craft in the new rules. Anyone one have any examples?

Bill

p.s. I just tried reading that thing, it's impossible, and vague.

 

[tunaorlater]

and the satelite phone if you're fishing Georges.

Is this true? Didn't know of any rules about having a phone.

 

[soldsoul4foos]

I will call on Tuesday and report back.