Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 3218 JUNE 2016 • FOGHORN SAFETYMATTERS EASY MANEUVERABILITY Give your passengers a smooth ride with reliable John Deere PowerTech™ propulsion and generator drive engines. With high torque and low-rated rpm, they deliver excellent vessel control and quiet operation. For easy navigation on the water — Nothing Runs Like A Deere™. JohnDeere.com/marine 60 to 559 kW (80 to 750 hp) the audience that now was the time to get their life floats into serviceable condition or replace them. The Coast Guard has again started approving new life floats so replacement should not be an issue. As we get into the heavy summer operating season, it is important to inspect and maintain your life floats so they are ready in the unlikely event of an emergency. Weather, sunlight, birds, and passengers can be especially rough on the equipment over the course of the season. Make sure your crew knows the requirements associated with the equipment, markings, stowage, inspec- tion, and maintenance of the vessel’s life floats and buoyant apparatus. Equipment The regulations in Parts 117 and 180 of subchapters K and T, respec- tively, state that each life float and buoyant apparatus “must be fitted with a lifeline, pendants, two paddles, a painter, and a light.” The equipment required for life floats and buoyant apparatus must meet the following specifications: (1) Lifeline and pendants. The lifeline and pendants must be as furnished by the manufacturer with the approved life float or buoyant apparatus. Replacement lifelines and pendants must meet the requirements of 46 CFR 160.010 in subchapter Q, which basically means it has to be buoyant and resistant to ultraviolet light. The minimum breaking strength is also specified and varies based on the line’s use. (2) Paddle. Each paddle must be of at least 4 feet in length, lashed to the life float to which it belongs, and buoyant. (3) Painter. The painter must be at least 100 feet in length, but not less than three times the distance between the deck where the life float or buoyant apparatus is stowed and the waterline of the vessel. That means if the device is stowed more than 33 feet above the water, the painter will be longer than 100 feet. It will be a dark color if synthetic, or certified to be resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light, and be stowed in such a way that it runs out freely when the life float or buoyant apparatus floats away from a sinking vessel. If the painter needs replacement, the regulations specify the breaking strength of the line. (4) Light. The light must be a floating waterlight approved under approval series 161.010. The floating waterlight must be attached around the body of the life float or buoyant apparatus by 3/8 inch lanyard, resistant to deterioration from ultravio- let light, and at least 18 feet in length. Markings The regulations call for life floats and buoyant apparatus to be clearly and legibly marked with the vessel’s name, capacity (number of persons) and retro-reflective tape. The retro-re- flective tape shall be located on all sides