Alabama safety items needed onboard

[Aruss1984]

Wondering what boat safety gear is required in Alabama? Wasnt able to find a lot of info online. Some states require a throw cushion, flare or whistle etc. What does Alabama require?

[polaris425]

1 PFD for each person in the boat + a throwable (Can not be one of the PFDs), A fire Extinguisher (must be charged and in good condition), And as long as your boat has a horn youll be good. If not the whistle is a good idea.Running lights of course.Also, with the suspender style PFD the way the law reads in Alabama is basically this: If the suspender style are all you have in the boat, then they must be worn at ALL times…. Even while fishing. If you have standard PFDs in the boat (1 for each person) then the suspender style does not have to be worn at all times.Hope that helps!OH, and of course, your non-residents fishing license. lol. Which can be purchased online now actually.13 PIV w/ 200 MercIG: WarriorRiverCustomRods

[Bass Cat Boats]

And if you are 65 or older, no license required, resident or not.Should you be tempted to pull a water toy, like a skier or a tube, you need either an observer in the boat, or a panoramic mirror. Discovered this the hard way 30 years ago. And yes, I have this stuff checked a couple of times a year. Once on Guntersville this year and once on Lake Mitchell this year, already. And yes, they checked for valid license (fishing) or a drivers license (picture required) that shows your age to be 65 or over. Also have had my brother in law fishing with me (resident of Mississippi) and he was checked at Guntersville also, but again only needed his drivers license to show he was 65 or older.Last time I was checked (Lake Mitchell) the marine police officer was asking about my boat. Said “no way in the world I could catch you out on the main river.” Told him “the bad news is we were just cruising about 55, itll go 20mph faster. He was interested in ride, speed, how it behaved when the wind blew (both on the TM and on plane), etc. Have not run into one that acted like a jerk yet, fortunately. I have certainly heard stories in MS that differ, but not very often and never when I have fished there. And Alabama residents need the (V) on their drivers license.Note: I have been trying to confirm the 65 and older for non-residents and am not yet certain that is correct. It is for residents for sure, but non-residents might have to be disabled in some fashion. Probably worth calling alabama game and fish before you come if you are 65 and over.Last edited by oldtimer57 on April 6th, 2017, 9:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200

[Bass Cat Boats]

Those are USCG required items. Life Vests, Paddle, Fire Extinguisher, Throw Cushion. Some USCG / USAEC districts require throw lines of 50 on navigable waters, which flow to commercial traffic and connect to oceans. BCB

[JSLAW]

Also you will find yourself amazed at the amount of LEOs that do NOT understand the differences and the requirements for each different type of life vest. A type 2 is a type 2 a type 3 is a type 3, does not make a bit of difference if one is an inflatable and one is the standard vest. If its a type 5 it must be worn to count.Last edited by JSLAW on April 6th, 2017, 10:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[crussell74]

Also boats 16ft to less than 26 feet require day and night VDS (Visual Distress Signals) also known as flares. The list of required equipment can be found at http://www.outdooralabama.com/boating-equipment-checklist.

[JSLAW]

Dont confuse inland sea rules with rules outside the line of demarcation. Rules that apply on Guntersville are not the same rules that apply in Mobile Bay and in Alabama state waters. The basic principle of line of demarcation is 3 miles from point to point heading out to sea. Regardless of how wide a bay is if the point to point of land leading to the sea is less than 3 miles flares would not be required on (inside)that bay. If the entrance to bay exceeds three miles, flares are required until an established line of demarcation is met (3 miles from point to point) inside the bay. Once inside those 3 miles points of land flares are not required. Now if you run from out side that line to inside that line then obviously flares are required. Once inside a the line of point to point line less than 3 miles, it does not matter how wide the bay opens up again for flares to be a requirement. With all that said Ive had flares in every boat I have ever owned. They may not always be current (expired), but they are in the boat.***Great lakes and Mississippi River has their own set of rules***Last edited by JSLAW on April 7th, 2017, 3:24 am, edited 3 times in total.

[Bass Cat Boats]

The inflatable PFD question has arisen over the last month in our ABT events. From 2 Marine Police officers the rule is that if its a Type 2/Type 3 inflatable then thats all a person needs. If its a Type 5 inflatable then you will need a regular type vest in boat as well.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Those are USCG requirements and most states honor those regulations.

[glen11]

How about an anchor? Is that only on coast guard navigatible waters?

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