Well Gang, This is the First Day Of Spring!!!!!!!!!

[bottomless pit]

:D It is really officially here! It is the first day of BAJA I mean SPRING.
It is time to get the Baja out and Polish it up.
untangle the ropes and find your life jackets.
If anyone here is from the water patrol, it might be a good place to remind everyone (Start a Post) what is required in the boat and if their are any new Laws.
I've been out 5 years and Someone suggested I needed a anchor and 50 feet of rope. Of course I have it but I didn't know that it is required.:x
If I had a dime for all of the anchors I've lost in the lake...
I didn't know going back to the dock I was in violation.I have been told I needed a whistle, by one water Patrol, when I pulled it out of the glove box, he said i didn't need it if I had a Horn?(What?)!!!
Remember to keep all of the bottle caps. If one is missing they will accuse you of throwing it over...:evil
I thought this might be a good discussion. 8o

[bajadude]

Another weird one is that any boat over 26' needs a bell. Only time our's have ever been out of the box is for a safety inspection.

[DCH1]

Karl:

A bell??? The 342 doesn't come with a bell! Does that mean I'll be pulled over and keel-hauled by the marine police if I lauch my boat in Winnie this year?

Now I KNOW I gotta have two fire extinguishers, the whistle, a ski-tow triangular orange flag ( a NJ reg), life preservers for everyone on board, a separate flotation cushion, an anchor, 50 feet of rope and a 150 foot ski tow rig. I like to stow a first aid kit, but nobody has yet said it is required.

I'll join the call. What other items need I have that I don't know about?

DCH

[bajadude]

DHC 1, That's what I was told. But, I decided to do some checking. Looks like its a NH state regulation (the federal requirement is for boats over 39.4'). I've know its somthing the MP like to check.

If on State Waters, 26 ft. to less than 40 ft. long and under engine power, a bell and a hand or power whistle audible for one mile.

Here's a link www.boat-ed.com/nh/course...ingDevices (http://www.boat-ed.com/nh/course/p4-10_distressdevices.htm#SoundProducingDevices)

[DCH1]

Karl:

What the site didn't say was just what size and type of bell is required. I assume I can go into any marina and buy the required type?

Based on your earlier comment, I presume I DON'T need to bolt it onto the boat somehow?

Thanks

DCH

[bajadude]

DCH,

We got a simple (maybe 6" diameter) brass ships bell at one of the marinas. Cost about $35. I've never mounted it, just kept it in the box. When I was last "inspected", I pulled it out of the box and showed it to the MP. He seemed OK with it.

Here's a link to one at West Marine, but I think you get get 'em cheaper (especially since you'll probably never use it)

www.westmarine.com/webapp...uctId=7614 (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=7614)

[bottomless pit]

I guess that the MP presume that you have nothing better to do while sinking than ring a bell.:rollin
Someone suggested in Missouri you need to carry an (oar)
I wonder if you have to be able to reach the water with it?
I always used to carry a 3 foot oar, seams so senseless in a 38 foot boat.>:
Nancy thinks that I need a 3rd battery.:lol

[DCH1]

Dennis:

Agreed. Seems nuts! Maybe I should add a radar, LORAN-C, foghorn and a rubber inflatable lifeboat. Maybe a defib rig in case somebody overdoes it!

What may have once been common sense - the bell for fog and the oar in case an engine quits - makes less sense in different circumstances. Like operating a large twin on a lake mostly in daylight. I guess the problem is you've got to have some minimal standards or you'll have none! To cover all possible circumstances well, we'd have even MORE regulations to follow.

So I guess I'm going to give it up as a bad job and be thankful I only have to buy a brass bell this summer when (if??) I go to Winnie!

DCH