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Small Passenger Vessel Safety. USCG Auxiliary Prevention Directorate Greg Kester Director - Prevention George Peek Division Chief – Vessel Activities. VESSELS – A GREAT VARIETY. Possible V essel A ctivities. Charter fishing Inshore, offshore, river/lake Eco Tours Airboat rides
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Small Passenger Vessel Safety USCG Auxiliary Prevention Directorate Greg Kester Director - Prevention George Peek Division Chief – Vessel Activities
Possible Vessel Activities • Charter fishing • Inshore, offshore, river/lake • Eco Tours • Airboat rides • Diving charters • Island hopping • Parasailing • Great opportunities for fun, education, and experiences in all parts of the country.
BACKGROUND • Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993 • Divided small passenger vessels into two categories: Inspected and Uninspected • UNINSPECTED DOES NOT MEAN UNREGULATED
BACKGROUND • INSPECTED: requires annual inspection and certification by the Coast Guard to operate as a passenger vessel. Compliance certificate and decal are issued. • UNINSPECTED: voluntary examination program to assure that owner/operators are in compliance with federal regulations. A decal is issued.
KEY ELEMENTS • An Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) may carry six or fewer passengers (at least one of whom must be a “passenger for hire.”) • Passenger for hire means “a passenger for whom consideration is contributed as a condition of carriage on the vessel, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent, or any other person having an interest in the vessel. • A vessel carrying more than six passengers, with at least one “passenger for hire,” generally is an Inspected Vessel. (Exception: vessels between 100 and 300 gross tons may carry up to twelve passengers as a UPV.)
General Federal Requirements • Uninspected Passenger Vessels (UPV) must comply with all federal boating safety regulations for the size and type of vessel. • Fire Extinguishers • Navigation Lights/Sound Signals • Distress Signals • Lifesaving Equipment • Marine Sanitation Devices • As well as other regulatory requirements
UPV Specific Requirements • MARINER CREDENTIAL: All UPVs must be under the direction and control of a USCG licensed individual. This credential must be carried aboard the vessel and be available for examination at all times. • REGISTRATION/DOCUMENTATION: All commercial vessels over five net tons (regardless of length) must be documented. Annual renewal is required. • Non-documented vessels must be state registered. • Original documentation or state registration must be aboard when underway.
UPV Specific Requirements • DRUG TESTING: Required for all USCG credentialed mariners and UPV crew members who perform safety sensitive duties. • Pre-employment • Periodic • Random • Reasonable cause • Serious Marine Incident
UPV Specific Requirements • ALCOHOL: A person is prohibited from operating a UPV while intoxicated. The level of intoxication for a commercial vessel is 0.04. • UPVs that cannot return to shore and complete an alcohol test for captain and crew within two hours must carry a sufficient number of alcohol test kits aboard the vessel. Any serious accident involving the vessel, crew, or passengers will require alcohol testing of the vessel personnel.
UPV Specific Requirements • LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT: All UPVs must carry at least one Coast Guard approved TYPE-I (offshore) life jacket of a suitable size for each person aboard the vessel. Life jackets used for Ocean, Coastwise, or Great Lakes voyages must also have a working Coast Guard approved PFD (life jacket) light attached. • RING LIFE BUOY: minimum 20 inch, orange or white (domestic), orange (international)
Life Jackets and Lights • TYPE I (OFFSHORE)
UPV Specific Requirements • SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND ORIENTATION: Prior to getting underway passengers must be informed of: • Stowage of life jackets • Methods of donning life jackets • Types and locations of all lifesaving devices aboard the vessel • Location of the safety instructions and posted emergency instructions
UPV Specific Requirements • SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND ORIENTATION (continued) • Passenger Counts (Inland) or Manifest (beyond boundary line) • Emergency Instructions for • Rough weather • Man overboard • Fire • Vessel or voyage specific emergency situations (e.g., diving, animal encounters, environment, etc.)
Passenger Responsibility • Plan ahead • Inquire whether the UPV operator has a merchant mariner credential and the vessel is equipped appropriately. • Seek out operators who demonstrate and advertise compliance and who have a current UPV decal. • On the trip • Pay attention to the safety briefing (or ask for it, if necessary) • Locate posted emergency instructions • Locate all lifesaving equipment • Be prepared to respond in case of an emergency
Uninspected Passenger Vessels • Have FUN on the water and BE SAFE
Small Passenger Vessel Safety USCG Auxiliary Prevention Directorate Greg Kester Director - Prevention George Peek Division Chief – Vessel Activities auxpeek@gmail.com