Alerts
- Chart updates, current hazards to navigation
Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon (EPIRB)
- Phase out of 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs
- Radio beacon frequencies, equipment maintenance, testing, registration
- List of boat manufacturer recalls. Report a defect with your boat.
- Life saving equipment safety alerts
Discontinuation of the USCG Boating Safety Hotline
- Note that any/all publications referencing the USCG Boating Safety Hotline are being phased out. Pamphlets still exist but the Hotline number is no longer active
Fire Extinguisher Requirements Have Changed
- Affects all vessels constructed AFTER August 22, 2016.
- The U.S. Coast Guard now uses the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) performance based classification for portable fire extinguishers.
- Most extinguishers already have Coast Guard approval and the UL rating classification.
- All approved extinguishers installed prior to August 22, 2016 are allowed to remain on recreational vessels as long as they are still serviceable.
- Follow the link to the CG-BSX Policy Statement for details of the new classification system.
- Affects certain vessels constructed after January 1, 2019.
- Operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL) as of April 1, 2021, as the U.S. Coast Guard implements a law passed by Congress.
- The ECOS and ECOSL prevent runaway vessels and the threats they pose. The ECOSL attaches the vessel operator to a switch that shuts off the engine if the operator is displaced from the helm.
- Watch a video illustrating an ECOS system
- USCG begins enforcement on Federal waters April 1, 2021.
- Effective April 20, 2022
- Boats 2018 and newer must carry extinguishers labeled type 5-B, 10-B or 20-B only.
- Boats 2017 and older may carry type B-I and B-II until no longer serviceable
- Any extinguisher with a manufacture date stamp must be replaced after 12 years of service.
- Follow the topic link for more detailed information about this new rule.