Flare gun registrations

[Mr. C]

I’m looking and getting some difference of option.
Does a boat. ( no matter Size). Need a flare gun kit on Havasu.
I’m reading it as a no.
But would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[rrrr]

IIRC the breakover length is 26'. There's no registration requirement for Coast Guard approved flare guns. Well, at least in normal states.

 

[RiverDave]

IIRC the breakover length is 26'. There's no registration requirement for Coast Guard approved flare guns. Well, at least in normal states.

I need a flare gun on havasu with a 34?

 

[Mr. C]

I need a flare gun on havasu with a 34?

I’m might have to look more into a 25 then. Maybe just might be better to have one rather than not. Rules or no rules.

 

[Paradox]

Ive always carried a set. Unfortunately they expire so they have to be replaced occasionally.

 

[Mr. C]

Ive always carried a set. Unfortunately they expire so they have to be replaced occasionally.

It’s strange. Cause I have always had a kit in our little 18 ski boat. Not sure why. Just did.
More on what is legal or needed.

 

[Icky]

I remember @BoatCop told me there was a few things i didn't need to carry on inland water ways in a thread years back. I don't recall what it was. I kept all that shit in a water proof container along with my registration so I could just hand it all over at once.

 

[rrrr]

I need a flare gun on havasu with a 34?

No, I'm wrong again. That law pertains to offshore and coastal waters, and boats over 16' in length. I was thinking about the requirements for fire extinguishers, which state boats between 26' and 39' must carry two B1 extinguishers or one B1 and have an automatic onboard extinguishing system.

The B1 size extinguisher is about the size of a 40 oz beer can. They only last a few seconds when discharged, and won't put out even a small fire fed by gasoline. Carrying a 5ABC is much better insurance.

I always carried a flare gun kit in my boats larger than 21' if I boated at night. There wasn't much chance they would be used, because I never went above wakeless speed except in open lake waters I was familiar with. But there's always a chance of an emergency, and better to have them than not.

 

[oldboatsrule]

Ocean = flare gun required
Inland waters = not required

 

[LuauLounge]

Good for protection as well...

 

[was thatguy]

My god.
Can you imagine if all the boats in the channel had flare guns??

 

[RichL]

No, I'm wrong again. That law pertains to offshore and coastal waters, and boats over 16' in length. I was thinking about the requirements for fire extinguishers, which state boats between 26' and 39' must carry two B1 extinguishers or one B1 and have an automatic onboard extinguishing system.

I always carried a flare gun kit in my boats larger than 21' if I boated at night. There wasn't much chance they would be used, because I never went above wakeless speed except in open lake waters I was familiar with. But there's always a chance of an emergency, and better to have them than not.

This has always been my line of thought as well. Have carried them forever.

 

[Mandelon]

There's red flares and white flares. White flares are for practice. Apparently you can shoot them off at will. seems fun.

 

[bonesfab]

My god.
Can you imagine if all the boats in the channel had flare guns??

It would look like Parker on the 4th of july.

 

[H20 Toie]

I believe it’s flares that are needed offshore
Not flare guns

 

[RiverDave]

My god.
Can you imagine if all the boats in the channel had flare guns??

That’s what I was thinking.. lol.

 

[hallett21]

I keep one lol.

 

[Jed-O]

Permit...

 

[Mandelon]

 

[BoatCop]

Notes on Visual Distress Signals. They are only required on coastal waters, including the Great Lakes, the territorial seas and those waters directly connected to the Great Lakes and the territorial seas, up to a point where the waters are less than two miles wide., Boats owned in the United States when operating on the high seas must be equipped with visual distress signals. Like most other Coast Guard requirements, the length of the vessel determines what types and quantities you're required to have on board.

Also, some "legitimate" sources incorrectly say that they are required on Lakes Mead, Mohave and Powell and other places on the Colorado River, plus the Mississippi, Missouri, Delaware, and other Rivers. This came about when the Rule regarding VDS first came on line in the late '70s, where it was advertised as being required on "Federal Waters". As late as the mid 2000s, some workbooks we were getting for our Boating Safety programs even stated this. Rest assured, this is false info and they're only required as stated above.