OAR 250-015-0012: Safety and Equipment Requirements for Charters on Sole State Waters

(1) Boats operating on sole state waters shall not exceed designed seating capacity unless certified by a United States Coast Guard (USCG) Certificate of Inspection, the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS), or the Society of Marine Surveyors (SAMS). The seating capacity includes the total number of passengers and crew. (2) Each boat shall carry on board an approved first aid kit. (a) First aid kits shall be in accordance with Title 46 CFR 160.054 as established on 01/01/2016. (b) Kits must be stored in a waterproof container and clearly marked as “First-Aid Kit”. (3) Each boat must possess and have readily available one USCG approved personal flotation device of the appropriate type and size for each passenger and crew. (a) Each boat carrying five or more passengers shall have one spare personal flotation device. (b) On river sections rated as Class III or higher on a commonly accepted scale of river difficulty, all employees and passengers are required to wear a properly secured personal flotation device. The personal flotation device must; (A) Be approved for use on whitewater rivers per the label. (B) Not be an inflatable personal flotation device, regardless of rating type. (4) Each boat shall have on board and immediately available one USCG approved throwable life ring buoy. A throw bag with 40 feet of line may be carried in lieu of this requirement. (5) Each boat shall have on board at least one paddle or oar. (6) Each boat shall have on board an adequate power bilge pump and a bailing bucket or manual bilge pump. Bilge pumps shall be in accordance with Title 46 CFR 182.520 as established on 01/01/2016. (7) Each boat shall have on board no less than one fire extinguisher in each operating station, machinery space, accommodation space and galley, pantry or concession per the table on 46 CFR 25.30-20 as established on 01/01/2016. (8) Each boat shall carry a communication device capable of sending an emergency distress signal. (a) The device shall be appropriate for the area of operation. (b) Acceptable devices include but are not limited to: (A) Personal Locator Beacon (PLB); (B) Satellite Telephone; (C) Marine VHF Radio; or (D) Cellular Telephone. (9) Each boat shall be equipped with a suitable magnetic compass designed for marine use. (10) All closed compartments containing personal flotation devices, first aid kits, emergency communication devices and fire extinguishers shall be clearly labeled with their content, as follows: (a) One (1) inch high block letters indicating what the closed compartment contains; (b) Be of a color that will contrast with the color of the background; and (c) Be clearly visible and legible. (11) Each boat shall be equipped with a sound signaling appliance. The appliance shall be a horn, bell or whistle capable of making an efficient sound.