OAR 250-016-0077: Safety and Equipment Requirements for Inland Outfitter and Guide Boats

(1) Boats operating on sole state waters shall not exceed designed seating capacity unless certified by a United States Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection, the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) or the Society of Marine Surveyors (SAMS). The seating capacity will include 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 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.151, American National Standard (ANSI) Z308.1-2015, as established on 01/01/2016, or the National Outdoor Leadership (NOLS) Med Kit 2.0 as listed on 03/21/2017. (b) First aid kits shall be based on the guide’s training and shall be appropriate for the activity and environment. (c) Kits must be stored in a waterproof contained and clearly marked as “First Aid Kit”. (d) Non-motorized boats traveling in a group, the above requirement may be met by possessing one first aid kit. (3) Each boat must possess and have readily available one wearable personal flotation device of the appropriate size for each passenger and crew. (a) Each boat carrying five or more passengers shall have one spare wearable personal flotation device. Boats less than 17 feet in length are exempted from this requirement. (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 devices used on those sections of river must: (A) Be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard as a wearable personal flotation device that is suitable for use on whitewater rivers. (B) Not have a limitation or restriction on its approval that would prevent its use on whitewater rivers. (C) Not be an inflatable personal flotation device. (4) Each boat must possess a readily accessible throwable personal flotation device, life ring or throw bag with 40 feet of line. (5) Each boat shall have an effective means of dewatering. (a) Motorized boats shall have on board an adequate fixed power bilge pump, a bilge alarm, and a bailing bucket or manual bilge pump per Title 46 CFR 182.520 as established on 01/01/2016. (b) Motorized boats of open construction where the bilge is readily visible, a fixed power bilge pump and bilge alarm are not required. (c) Non-motorized boats not of self-bailing design shall have on board an adequate bailing bucket or manual bilge pump. (d) Non-motorized boats of self-bailing design and boats with watertight closures are exempt from this requirement. (6) Each motorized 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 Title 46 CFR 25.30-20 as established on 01/01/2016. (7) Each boat shall carry a communication device capable of sending an emergency distress signal and shall be appropriate for the area of operation. (a) Acceptable devices include but are not limited to: (A) Personal Locator Beacon; (B) Satellite Telephone; (C) Marine VHF Radio or equivalent; or (D) Cellular Telephone. (b) For non-motorized boats traveling in a group, the above requirement may be met by possessing one communication device. (8) Each motorized boat shall be equipped with a suitable magnetic compass designed for marine use. (9) All boats are required to have one spare oar or paddle capable of maneuvering the boat on board. (a) Non-motorized boats less than 17 feet in length are exempt from this requirement. (b) For non-motorized boats 17 feet or longer traveling in a group, the above requirement may be met by the group possessing one spare oar or paddle per group. (10) All closed compartments containing personal flotation devices, first aid kits and fire extinguishers shall be clearly labeled with their content, as follows: (a) One inch high block letters indicating what the 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 motorized boat shall be equipped with a sound signaling appliance. The appliance shall be a horn, bell or whistle capable of making an efficient sound.