CHAPTER 97. OPERATOR PROVIDED EQUIPMENT Sec.
97.1. Personal flotation devices.
97.2. Fire extinguishers.
97.3. Sound producing devices.
97.4. Signals to attract attention.
97.5. Visual distress signals.
97.6—97.14 [Reserved].Cross References This chapter cited in 58 Pa. Code § 115.12 (relating to applicability of other regulations).
§ 97.1. Personal flotation devices.
(a) The following words and terms, when used in this section, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Immediately available—A PFD that is within arm’s reach of the operator or passenger while the boat is being operated. A PFD that is stored in a protective covering or sealed in its original packaging is not immediately available.
PFD—Personal flotation device—A life preserver that is approved by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard under 46 CFR Part 160 (relating to lifesaving equipment).
Readily accessible—A PFD that is stowed where it can be easily reached or is out in the open ready for wear. A PFD that is stored in a protective covering or sealed in its original packaging is not readily accessible.
Serviceable—When a PFD is fully functional to carry out the purpose for which it was designed and free of tears or defects in the material over the flotation material and the buckles, straps, zippers and other closures are operable.
Throwable PFD—A PFD that is intended to be thrown to a person in the water. A PFD marked as throwable, Type IV, or Type V with Type IV performance is considered a throwable PFD. Unless specifically marked otherwise, a wearable PFD is not a throwable PFD.
Wearable PFD—A PFD that is intended to be worn or otherwise attached to a person’s body. A PFD marked as wearable, Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V with Type (I, II or III) performance is considered a wearable PFD.
(b) A person may not use a boat unless at least one wearable PFD is on board for each person and the PFD is used in accordance with requirements of the approval label.
(c) A person may not use a boat 16 feet or more in length unless one throwable PFD is on board in addition to the total number of PFDs required in subsection (b). Canoes and kayaks 16 feet in length and over are exempted from the requirements for carriage of the additional throwable PFD.
(d) Required PFDs shall be in good, serviceable condition, legibly marked showing the Coast Guard approval number and displaying the PFD’s intended or approved use. They shall be of an appropriate size, child or adult, for the person for whom it is intended.
(e) When not worn, wearable PFDs shall be stowed so as to be readily accessible. Throwable PFDs shall be immediately available.
(f) This section does not apply to racing shells, rowing sculls and racing kayaks, such as manually propelled boats recognized by National racing associations for use in competitive racing, when the occupants row, scull or paddle with the exception of the coxswain, if one is provided, and which are not designed to carry and do not carry equipment not solely for competitive racing.
(g) Coast Guard approved PFDs shall be acceptable as long as they are in good, serviceable condition with the approval clearly legible.
(h) Children 12 years of age and younger shall wear an approved wearable PFD while underway on any boat 20 feet or less in length and all canoes and kayaks. The operator of the watercraft violates this subsection if he does not cause a child 12 years of age or younger to wear a PFD as required by this subsection.
(i) Beginning November 1 until midnight April 30 of the following year, a person shall wear a Coast Guard approved wearable PFD while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.
Authority The provisions of this § 97.1 amended under section 10 of the Sunshine Act (65 P.S. § 280); section 506 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 186); and 30 Pa.C.S. § 5123.
Source The provisions of this § 97.1 amended August 15, 1980, effective August 16, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3391; amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795; amended September 23, 1994, effective September 24, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 4771; amended April 12, 1996, effective April 13, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 1706; amended March 7, 1997, effective March 8, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 1156; amended September 25, 1998, effective September 26, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 4789; amended November 5, 1999, effective November 6, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 5717; amended October 2, 2009, effective October 3, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 5736; amended December 30, 2011, effective November 1, 2012, 41 Pa.B. 6972; amended November 20, 2015, effective January 1, 2016, 45 Pa.B. 6679. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (375775) to (375776).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 105.1 (relating to conditions requiring immediate corrective action); 58 Pa. Code § 109.2 (relating to paddleboards and sailboards); 58 Pa. Code § 109.3 (relating to personal watercraft); 58 Pa. Code § 109.4 (relating to waterskiing, aquaplaning, kiteskiing and similar activities); and 58 Pa. Code § 115.11 (relating to personal flotation devices).
§ 97.2. Fire extinguishers.
(a) All motorboats shall carry at least the minimum number of Coast Guard approved hand portable fire extinguishers required for their class as specified in Appendix B, except that motorboats less than 26 feet in length, propelled by outboard motors and not carrying passengers for hire, need not carry fire extinguishers if the construction of the motorboats will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.
(1) Fire extinguishers shall be carried on motorboats that meet one or more of the following conditions. The motorboats have:
(i) Closed compartments under thwarts and seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored.
(ii) Double bottoms not sealed to the hulls or that are not completely filled with flotation material.
(iii) Closed living spaces.
(iv) Closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stowed.
(v) Permanently installed fuel tanks.
(2) The following conditions do not, in and of themselves, require that fire extinguishers be carried:
(i) Bait wells.
(ii) Glove compartments.
(iii) Buoyant flotation material.
(iv) Open slatted flooring.
(v) Ice chests.
(b) Motorboats engaged in a race which has been officially sanctioned, as set forth in § 109.6 (relating to special marine events), or while engaged in tuning up for a race which has been officially sanctioned, need not carry the extinguisher required by this section.
(c) The following apply:
(1) Fire extinguishers carried in compliance with this section shall be maintained in good and serviceable working condition and in compliance with the specifications on the manufacturer’s certification label, meaning all of the following:
(i) It shall not be expired.
(ii) It has a pressure gauge reading or indicator in the operable range or position, if there is one.
(iii) The lock pin is firmly in place.
(iv) The discharge nozzle is clean and free of obstruction.
(v) The extinguisher does not show visible signs of significant corrosion or damage.
(2) In prosecutions for violations of this section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a fire extinguisher is not usable if its gauge shows that the extinguisher is discharged.
(d) Fire extinguishers shall be installed and maintained so that they are immediately available within arms reach of the operator or passengers on the boat.
Authority The provisions of this § 97.2 amended under 30 Pa.C.S. § 5123.
Source The provisions of this § 97.2 amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795; amended April 19, 1996, effective April 20, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 1822; amended December 12, 2003, effective January 1, 2004, 33 Pa.B. 6061; amended December 2, 2022, effective January 1, 2023, 52 Pa.B. 7384. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (379416) to (379417).
§ 97.3. Sound producing devices.
(a) Motorboats 12 meters or more in length. A motorboat 12 meters (39.4 feet) or more in length shall carry sound producing devices as prescribed by 33 CFR Part 83 (relating to rules).
(b) Motorboats less than 12 meters. A motorboat less than 12 meters (39.4 feet) in length shall carry some mechanical means of making a sound signal. This device may be hand, mouth or power operated. An athletic coach’s whistle is an acceptable sound producing device for small motorboats.
(c) Unpowered boats. Unpowered boat operators are required to carry a device capable of sounding a prolonged blast for 4-6 seconds that can be heard by another boat operator in time to avoid a collision. An athletic coach’s whistle is an acceptable sound producing device for unpowered boats. It is unlawful to use a sound producing device on the water under any circumstance except in the following situations:
(1) Assistance is needed because of immediate or potential danger to the persons onboard.
(2) It is necessary to attract the attention of another boat.
(d) Device accessibility. Sound signaling devices shall be readily accessible to the operator of the boat.
Authority The provisions of this § 97.3 amended under 30 Pa.C.S. § 5123; and section 506 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 186).
Source The provisions of this § 97.3 amended February 4, 1983, effective January 1, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 619; amended June 28, 1991, effective June 29, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 2894; amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795; amended September 29, 2000, effective September 30, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 5013; amended December 30, 2011, effective December 31, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 6968; amended April 3, 2015, effective April 4, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 1616. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (360047) to (360048).
§ 97.4. Signals to attract attention.
If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel, a vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for a signal authorized elsewhere in this subpart, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, that does not hinder the other vessel’s navigation.
Source The provisions of this § 97.4 amended February 12, 1993, effective February 13, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 744; amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (178613).
Cross References This section cited in 58 Pa. Code § 111.52 (relating to Pike County).
§ 97.5. Visual distress signals.
(a) This section applies only to those boats operating on Lake Erie.
(b) A person may not use a boat 16 feet or more in length or a boat carrying six or less passengers for hire unless visual distress signals selected from the list in Appendix C or the alternatives in the number required, are onboard. Devices suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, or devices suitable for both day and night use, shall be carried.
(c) Between sunset and sunrise, a person may not use a boat less than 16 feet in length unless visual distress signals suitable for night use, selected from the list in Appendix C or alternatives in the number required are onboard.
(d) When a visual distress signal carried to meet the requirements of subsection (b) or (c) requires a launcher to activate, a United States Coast Guard approved launcher shall also be carried.
(e) The persons listed in this subsection need not comply with subsection (b) or (c). Each shall carry onboard the required number of visual distress signals suitable for night use, selected from the list in Appendix C.
(1) A person competing in an organized marine parade, regatta, race or similar event.
(2) A person using a manually propelled boat.
(3) A person using a sailboat of completely open construction, not equipped with propulsion machinery, under 26 feet in length.
(f) It is unlawful to operate a boat unless the visual distress signals required by subsection (b) or (c) are readily accessible.
(g) It is unlawful to operate a boat unless each signal required under subsection (b) or (c) is in serviceable condition and the service life of the signal, if indicated by a date marked on the signal, has not expired. As used in this subsection, the term ‘‘serviceable’’ means that the device is fully functional to carry out the purpose for which it was designed and is free of damage and defects.
(h) It is unlawful to do the following:
(1) Operate a boat unless the signal required by subsection (b) or (c) is legibly marked with the United States Coast Guard approval number or certification statement as specified in the Federal regulations.
(2) Display a visual distress signal on water to which this section applies under any circumstances except a situation in which assistance is needed because of immediate or potential danger to the persons onboard.
Authority The provisions of this § 97.5 amended under the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa.C.S. § 5123(a)(5).
Source The provisions of this § 97.5 amended February 4, 1983, effective January 1, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 619; amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795; corrected December 5, 2003, effective September 24, 1994, 33 Pa.B. 5925; amended December 30, 2011, effective December 31, 2011, 41 Pa.B. 6968. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (301482) to (301483).
§ 97.6. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 97.6 amended January 6, 1984, effective January 7, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 58; reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (178614) to (178615).
§ 97.7. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 97.7 amended December 28, 1984, effective December 29, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 4691; reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (178615) to (178616).
§ 97.8. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 97.8 amended February 12, 1993, effective February 13, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 744; reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (178616) to (178617).
§ 97.9. [Reserved]
Source The provisions of this § 97.9 reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (178617) to (178618).
§ 97.10. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 97.10 reserved February 12, 1993, effective February 13, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 744. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (157709) to (157710).
§ 97.11. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 97.11 amended February 12, 1993, effective February 13, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 741; reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (178618) to (178619).
§ 97.12. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 97.12 reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (178619).
§ 97.13. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 97.13 adopted August 15, 1980, effective August 16, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3392; amended February 8, 1991, effective February 9, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 498; reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (178619) to (178620).
§ 97.14. [Reserved].
Source The provisions of this § 97.14 adopted December 28, 1984, effective December 29, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 4691; reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (178620) to (178621).
APPENDIX A [Reserved]
Source The provisions of this Appendix A amended June 28, 1991, effective June 29, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 2894; amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795; amended February 18, 2000, effective February 19, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 870; corrected December 5, 2003, effective September 24, 1994, 33 Pa.B. 5925. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (263755).
APPENDIX B
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Minimum number of hand
portable fire extinguishers
required* (Type B)Length, Feet No fixed fire
extinguishing
system in
machinery
spaceFixed Fire
extinguishing
system in
machinery
spaceUnder 16 1 0 16, but less than 26 1 0 26, but less than 40 2 1 40 and over 3 2
*Note: Extinguishers required by the above table can either be one B-I or 5-B portable fire extinguisher. One B-II or 20-B portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two B-I or 5-B portable fire extinguishers.
Authority The provisions of this Appendix B amended under section 506 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 186) and section 204 of the Commonwealth Documents Law (45 P.S. § 1204).
Source The provisions of this Appendix B amended March 19, 1982, effective March 20, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 993; reserved June 28, 1991, effective June 29, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 2894; amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795; amended December 2, 2022, effective immediately, 52 Pa.B. 7385. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (301486).
Cross References This appendix cited in 58 Pa. Code § 97.2 (relating to fire extinguisher).
APPENDIX C
DEVICE DESCRIPTION Accepted
For UseNumber Required
to be CarriedNumber marked on device: 160.022… Floating Orange Smoke Distress Signals… Days only… 3 160.024… Pistol-Projected Parachute Red Flare Distress Signals… Day and night1… 3 160.036… Hand-Held Rocket-Propelled Parachute Red Flare Distress Signals… Day and night… 3 160.037… Hand-Held Orange Smoke Distress Signals… Day only… 3 160.057… Floating Orange Smoke Distress Signals… Day only… 3 160.066… Distress Signal for Boats, Red Aerial Protechnic Flare… Day and night2… 3 160.072… Distress Signal for Boats, Orange Flag… Day Only… 1 160.013… Electric Distress Light for Boats… Night Only… 1 1. These signals require use in combination with a suitable launching device approved under 46 CFR 160.028 (relating to signal pistols for red distress signals).
2. These devices may be either self-contained or pistol launched, and either meteor or parachute assisted type. Some of these signals may require use in combination with a suitable launching device approved under 46 CFR 160.028.
Source The provisions of this Appendix C amended June 22, 1990, effective June 23, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 3502; amended June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795; reserved September 23, 1994, effective September 24, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 4771; corrected December 5, 2003, effective December 6, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 5925. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (213863).
Cross References This appendix cited in 58 Pa. Code § 97.5 (relating to visual distress signals).
APPENDIX D. [Reserved]
Source The provisions of this Appendix D reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (157717).
APPENDIX E. [Reserved]
Source The provisions of this Appendix E amended February 8, 1991, effective February 9, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 498; reserved June 3, 1994, effective June 4, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 2795. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (157718).
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