Vessel Required Equipment

The equipment required on board a vessel is:

  • Anchor:
    • All mechanically propelled vessels must carry an anchor and line of sufficient weight and strength to provide the vessel with safe anchorage.
    • The anchor line should be between four and seven times the depth of the water in which you would normally anchor.
  • Anchor Lights:
    • At night, all vessels between 7 and 50 meters in length must exhibit an all around white light, when at anchor. By day, a black ball shape shall be exhibited.
  • Bell:
    • All vessels 39 feet and greater in length are required to have a bell. The purpose of a bell is to comply with the rules when anchored or grounded in reduced visibility.
  • Fire Extinguishers (for mechanically propelled vessels):
    • Outboards less than 26 feet and of open construction are exempt.
    • All others less than 26 feet - one (1) United States Coast Guard (USCG) Approved Type B-1 Extinguisher
    • From 26 feet up to 40 feet - two (2) USCG Approved Type B-1 Extinguishers
    • From 40 feet up to 65 feet - three (3) USCG Approved Type B-1 Extinguishers
    • On any vessel - a Type B-II Extinguisher may be substituted for two Type B-1 Extinguishers
    • Vessels equipped with approved fixed extinguishing systems may carry one less B-1 Extinguisher.
  • Navigation Lights:
    • Vessels must display their navigation lights at all times between sunset and sunrise, and during daylight periods of reduced visibility.
    • Sail vessels less than 23 feet and manually propelled vessels may carry a lantern with a white light that can be displayed in time to prevent a collision, in lieu of fixed lighting.
    • Law enforcement vessels may carry a blue flashing light. No other vessels are permitted to carry a blue light. If you see this light, reduce speed, yield, and, if necessary, stop your vessel.
  • Personal Flotation Devices (Life Jackets):
    • Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) are mandatory equipment on board a vessel.
    • Every pleasure vessel operated in New York State must carry at least one United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved Type I, II, or III Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on board
    • All Personal Flotation Devices on board your vessel must be:
      • Serviceable: free of rot, tears, punctures, water logging, and all straps functional
      • Readily accessible: within reach in the event of an emergency, never kept in plastic bags or under lock and key
      • Appropriate size for the intended wearer: check the USCG approval label for information on the intended user for a particular PFD
    • A Type I, II, or III Personal Flotation Device must be worn by:
      • Children under the age of twelve on board any vessel, unless they are in a fully enclosed cabin.
      • Anyone being towed behind another vessel, such as water-skiers, tubers, parasailers, etc. (This does not apply when you are on a disabled vessel being towed.)
      • Anyone operating or riding on a Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski, Wave Runner, or similar craft)
  • Visual Distress Signals:
    • State law requires all mechanically propelled vessels 16 feet in length or greater to carry visual distress signals as required by the United States Coast Guard. It is recommended that all vessels 16 feet or greater in length carry at least three USCG Approved hand-held day/night flares at all times.
    • All flares or other pyrotechnic devices, must be USCG Approved
    • Flares generally have a three-year service life and must not be past their expiration date.
    • Never use road flares on your boat; they produce hot slag, which can cause a fire.
    • Powerboats less than 16 feet and sailboats less than 26 feet only need to carry visual distress signals when operating at night.
    • Boaters must carry a fluorescent flag for daytime use unless their vessel is equipped with other sufficient daytime signals, such as day/night flares.
  • Whistle or Horn:
    • Mechanically propelled vessels less than 39 feet in length must, at a minimum, have a mouth whistle that is capable of producing a blast of two or more seconds in duration, which can be heard for at least one-half mile.
    • Mechanically propelled vessels of 39 feet in length or greater must carry a mechanical whistle or horn capable of producing a blast of two or more seconds in duration, which can be heard for at least one-half mile.
  • Other Recommended Equipment:
    • Tool kit, First Aid kit, oar/paddle, radio, spare lines, binocular