Boating Safety FAQs

The Coast Guard Customer Infoline (see below) is a toll-free 800 number which recreational boaters may call with boating safety questions. The Infoline answers approximately 1500 calls a week from boaters throughout the country. Here is a sample of the most frequently asked questions -- and the answers.

HOW CAN I GET SOME LITERATURE ON BOATING SAFETY AND INFORMATION ON REGULATIONS AND EQUIPMENT I NEED?
The Coast Guard has a Boating Safety Kit with several pamphlets and 25 Consumer Fact Sheets that will answer your questions. The Boating Safety Kit can be requested by calling the Customer Infoline at 1-800-368-5647 (in the Washington area call 202-267-0780).
TDD (Telephone for the hearing impaired) numbers are 1-800-689-0816 and in the Washington, DC, area 202-267-6707.

DO I NEED A LICENSE FOR MY VHF RADIO? IF SO, WHERE DO I GET ONE?
As a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the FCC no longer requires operators of recreational vessels to have an individual license to operate VHF Marine Radios (with or without digital selective calling capability), Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or any type of radar. Recreational Vessel Operators are asked to follow the procedures and courtesies that are required of licensed operators specified in FCC Rules. You may use your current FCC issued call sign to identify your ship station or the name or registration number of your vessel. Users of VHF marine radios equipped with digital selective calling will need to obtain a recognized number from the FCC. It is unlawful to use digital selective calling without obtaining a recognized number.

SOME VESSELS WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN FCC LICENSE.
These include:
1. Vessels that use MF/HF single side-band radio, satellite communications or telegraphy.
2. Power Driven Vessels over 20 meters in length.
3. Vessels used for commercial purposes including:
     a) Vessels Documented for commercial use (including commercial fishing           vessels).
      b) CG inspected vessels carrying more than 6 passengers.
      c) Tow boats more than 7.8 meters in length.
      d) Vessels of more than 100 tons certified to carry at least one passenger.       e) Cargo Ships over 300 gross tons.
4. Any vessel, including a recreational vessel, on an international voyage.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Call the Coast Guard Customer Infoline at 1-800-368-5647 (in the Washington area call 202-267-0780).
TDD (Telephone for the hearing impaired) numbers are 1-800-689-0816 and in the Washington, DC, area 202-267-6707. Visit the FCC marine information page: http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/marine.html

HOW DO I GO ABOUT DOCUMENTING MY BOAT?
Recreational boats of 5 net tons or more (approximately 35 feet in length and over) are eligible (but not required) to be documented by the Coast Guard. Documenting a boat is generally more expensive than registering it with the State, but it may have advantages if the boat is used in international travel. Some States will require registering a boat even if it is documented. To get more information, call the toll-free Customer Infoline and ask for the Consumer Fact Sheet "Documenting Your Recreational Boat -- Pros and Cons." Call 1-800-368-5647. In the Washington DC, area call 202-267-0780. TDD (Telephone for the hearing impaired) numbers are 1-800-689-0816 and in Washington, DC, area 202-267-6707. Or call the Coast Guard central Documentation office at 1-800-799-8362. Or, to really expedite things, call CAPT STAN: 1-800-799-9116.

I WANT A LICENSE TO CAPTAIN A CHARTER BOAT. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
The Coast Guard issues nearly sixty different operator licenses or certificates. Each has its own qualifying requirements such as citizenship, age, experience, physical condition and others. These operator licenses are issued by Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers. So that you may get the information and the details on applying for the type of license you need, call the Coast Guard Customer Infoline for the telephone number of the Coast Guard Regional Examination Center nearest to you.
The Infoline number is 1-800-368-5647. In the Washington, DC, area call 202-267-0780.
TDD numbers are 1-800-689-0816 and in Washington, DC area 202-267-6707.

WHAT IS A VESSEL SAFETY CHECK, AND DO I NEED ONE?
A Vessel Safety Check is a free check of your boat's safety equipment by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. It is not required, but it is very helpful for recreational boaters. The advantage is that if you have some discrepancy -- a PFD that is not Coast Guard approved, visual distress signals that are out of date, or some other problem -- the examiner reports it only to you. This gives you an opportunity to bring your boat into compliance before you take to the water. If the boat passes, it gets a Seal of Safety decal. Many insurance companies grant a discount to boats that have earned this decal.
To obtain a safety check call toll-free -- 1-800-336-2628. In Virginia call 1-800-245-2628.

HOW DO I REGISTER MY BOAT?
You register your recreational boat with the State in which you use it the most. To get the address and phone number of your State's Boating Law Administrator, call the toll-free Coast Guard Customer Infoline -- 1-800-368-5647. In the Washington, DC, area call 202-267-0780.
TDD (telephone for the hearing impaired) 1-800-689-0816.
In Washington, DC, 202-267-6707.

WHERE CAN I FIND A BOATING CLASS?
Call the Boating Courseline to find a boating safety class convenient to you. For power or sail boating -- call toll-free 1-800-336-2628. If you are calling in Virginia call 1-800-245-2628. [Courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety]

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