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It’s SPRING! And that means Boating Season is almost here! Make sure you check your safety equipment before taking your boat out on the water. One thing you should check annually is the condition of your life jackets. Read on.
SERVICEABLE CONDITION LIFE JACKETS
Boat operators are required to have a “Serviceable” usable life jacket that will fit every person on their boat. But what does “Serviceable” mean exactly? The US Coast Guard’s Code of Federal Regulations, 33 CFR 175.23 (which we use in Maryland) explains what a “Serviceable Condition” of a life jacket, or PFD (Personal Flotation Device) is:
A PFD is considered to be in serviceable condition only if the following conditions are met:
- No PFD may exhibit deterioration that could diminish the performance of the PFD, including-
- Metal or plastic hardware used to secure the PFD on the wearer that is broken, deformed, or weakened by corrosion;
- Webbings or straps used to secure the PFD on the wearer that are ripped, torn, or which have become separated from an attachment point on the PFD; or
- Any other rotted or deteriorated structural component that fails when tugged.
- In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, no inherently buoyant PFD, including the inherently buoyant components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, may exhibit-
- Rips, tears, or open seams in fabric or coatings, that are large enough to allow the loss of buoyant material;
- Buoyant material that has become hardened, non-resilient, permanently compressed, waterlogged, oil soaked, or which shows evidence of fungus or mildew; or
- Loss of buoyant material or buoyant material that is not securely held in position.
- In addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, an inflatable PFD, including the inflatable components of a hybrid inflatable PFD, must be equipped with-
- Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, a properly armed inflation mechanism, complete with a full inflation medium cartridge and all status indicators showing that the inflation mechanism is properly armed;
- Inflatable chambers that are capable of holding air;
- Oral inflation tube(s) that are not blocked, detached, or broken;
- A manual inflation lanyard or lever that is not inaccessible, broken, or missing; and
- Inflator status indicators that are not broken or otherwise non-functional.
- The inflation system of an inflatable PFD need not be armed when the PFD is worn and otherwise meets the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section.
For more information on US Coast Guard requirements you can go to:
https://www.ecfr.gov
The Boating Safey section of the Maryland Natural Resources Police asks that you always wear your life jackets when you are out on the water. The life you save might just be your own! Have a great and safe boating season!
Boating Safety Classes
Anyone born after July 1, 1972, who wishes to operate a boat in Maryland, must take and pass a NASBLA approved Boating Safety Course. There are a variety of ways you can take a Maryland Boating Safety Course. All courses are taught by independent Agreement Groups contracted to follow the guidelines associated with offering the Maryland Basic Boating course. These guidelines are set by NASBLA (the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) in conjunction with the State and, a certificate of boating safety is awarded to all those students who pass the final exam. We hope you can take advantage of one of these
excellent course offerings!
Please Note:
Maryland is Offering
Students can take a Boating Safety Course in person, live via a virtual platform or online. As virtual and live courses are being offered, they will be added to our page so you can choose your course. If you do not see an option that fits your needs, please reach out to us and request a course. We have instructors across the State. You would need to:
- Have a group of at least 10, but no more than 30 persons who wish to take the course.
- Have a community setting, meeting space (fire hall, community center, etc.) in which the course can be taught.
- Reach out to the Maryland Natural Resources Police Safety Education and Outreach Unit via
Nrpsafetyed.dnr@maryland.gov to request a course for your group.
All courses are taught by independent Agreement Groups contracted to follow the guidelines associated with offering the Maryland Basic Boating course. These guidelines are set by NASBLA (the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) in conjunction with the State and, a certificate of boating safety is awarded to all those students who pass the final exam.
Virtual/Classroom Boating Safety Classes
As instructors provide us with dates for course offerings you will find them listed on this page. Along with the Virtual/Classroom boating safety courses, Maryland also offers courses on-line through the following private providers.
Successful completion of any one of the online courses listed above will satisfy Maryland’s boating safety education requirement.
Anyone with questions should email
nrpsafetyed.dnr@maryland.gov.
The Boating Safety Education Law requires that anyone born on, or after July 1, 1972, must have a certificate of boating safety education on them while operating a numbered or documented vessel on Maryland waters.
Click here to learn how to obtain a valid Boating Safety Certificate.
Anyone with questions should email nrpsafetyed.dnr@maryland.gov.
