ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602280001
SECTION: BOAT SHOW PAGE: BS-14 EDITION: METRO
Boaters operating craft on the waters of Virginia must abide by certain federal and state regulations. Here is a list of rules governing titling, registration and safety equipment:
TITLING: All watercraft 15 feet or more in length and powered by a motor in excess of 25 horsepower, and any sail-powered vessel longer than 18 feet must be titled. Payment of a 2 percent watercraft sales tax is required before a title is issued. The money is used for boating programs.
The tax may be paid to the authorized dealer where the boat is purchased, to the offices of the Virginia Department of Taxation or at the Richmond office of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Applications are available from most marine dealers, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (P.O. Box 11528, Richmond 23230) and from some agents who sell hunting and fishing licenses.
In addition to the sales tax, a $7 titling fee is charged.
REGISTRATION: All boats propelled by machinery, including gasoline, diesel and electric motors, must be registered and numbered.
A boat's number must be displayed on each side of the forward half of the vessel in contrasting block letters at least 3 inches high.
Boaters must apply for a certificate of number on an application available from most marine dealers, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and from some agents who sell hunting and fishing licenses. At least a temporary certificate of number must be carried on board before a boat can be operated on state waters.
The registration fees, valid for a three-year period, are:
* Boats less than 16 feet: $18.
* Boats 16 feet to less than 20 feet: $22.
* Boats 20 feet to less than 40 feet: $28.
* Boats 40 feet and longer: $36.
LIFE JACKETS: U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices are required on all boats on Virginia waters. One buoyant personal flotation device must be carried for each person on board. Such devices must be in serviceable condition and must be readily accessible.
Flotation devices are classified into a number of types:
A Type I personal flotation device is a wearable life preserver designed to turn an unconscious person in the water from face down to a vertical or slightly backward position.
Type II is a backless, horse collar-type wearable vest.
Type III is a comfortable-to-wear vest designed to keep a conscious person in a vertical or slightly backward position.
Type IV is a throwable device such as a buoyant cushion or ring buoy. While it is called for on certain-size boats, it no longer qualifies as a personal life preserver.
Type V is a so-called hybrid vest that has a small amount of foam flotation but can be inflated to provide additional flotation when needed.
Occupants of nonpowered boats, such a rowboats, canoes, inflatable boats and johnboats, must carry at least one Type I, II or III personal device or wear a Type V device. No longer is a Type IV device, a throwable cushion or ring buoy, sufficient to satisfy the carrying requirements for boats shorter than 16 feet, including canoes and johnbot. Since last May, a
wearable jacket has been required for each person on board, although there is no requirement that it be worn.
On boats 16 feet or longer, there must be one wearable Type I, II, III or V personal floatation device per occupant and one throwable Type IV device in each boat.
On power boats shorter than 16 feet, there must be one Type I, II, III or V device for each person on board.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: All inboards, outboards 26 feet and longer and outboards shorter than 26 feet that have a closed compartment, double bottom, closed living space, closed stowage compartments or permanently installed fuel tanks must carry a Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher.
SOUND DEVICE: Boats between 16 and 26 feet must have a horn or whistle that is either hand-, mouth- or power-operated, capable of emitting a five-second blast that can be heard one-half mile. Boats 26 to 40 feet must have a whistle or horn other than mouth-operated that can be heard at least one mile.
NAVIGATION LIGHTS: Recreational boats operating at night are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of limited visibility.
These regulations are covered in more detail in a booklet titled ``Virginia Motorboat Owner's Guide,'' published by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, P.O. Box 11104, Richmond 23230-1104.
- STAFF
LENGTH: Medium: 83 linesby CNB