United States Coast Guard Safety Alert
Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship issues Marine Safety Alert (01-12 April 5, 2012).
Uninspected 6 or 12 pack Vessels - Rules Apply Know Them!
The Coast Guard's Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety has become aware of instances where recreational type boats are being manufactured and sold but do not meet federal construction requirements. In some cases persons holding Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) Operator licenses are operating such vessels while carrying passengers for hire. This alert reminds UPV operators both six-pack and twelve pack, to ensure that they are aware that all vessels operated as UPVs are in compliance with the appropriate U.S. laws and regulations.
The laws applicable to UPVs are found at 46 USC 4105(a); recreational vessels are addressed in 46 USC Chapter 43. The regulations based on those laws are found in 33 CFR Parts 181 and 183 and are the minimum safety standards for recreational boat manufacturing and include the requirements for:
- certification
- identification of boats
- display of capacity information
- safe loading
- safe powering
- flotation requirements (for both inboard and outboard powered boats (including airboats))
- electrical systems
- fuel systems
- ventilation requirements
- start-in-gear protection
- navigation lights
It is the responsibility of U.S. Coast Guard licensed Masters that operate UPVs in passenger-for-hire operations to ensure compliance with all federal requirements applicable to the vessel.
Questions regarding this information may be addressed to Mr. Michael Jendrossek, Marine Investigator, (202) 372-1052 or michael.a.jendrossek@uscg.mil. Developed by the Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety. This alert is provided for informational purposes only and does not relieve and domestic or international requirement. Distributed by the Office of Investigations and Analysis, USCG Headquarters, Washington, DC.