PFD'S / IMMERSION SUIT
APPLIES TO: ALL COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS
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REQUIREMENTS:
Type Required:
-Doc Vsl seaward of the Boundary Line north of 32N
- Immersion or
exposure suit
-Doc Vsl 40 ft or more inside the Boundary Line
- Type I, V, or
suit
-Doc Vsl under 40 ft, inside the Boundary Line
- Type I, II,
III, V or suit
-UnDoc Vsl beyond 3 mi from coastline in "cold" water
- Immersion or
exposure suit
-UnDoc Vsl 40 feet or more, all other waters
- Type I, V, or
suit
-UnDoc Vsl under 40 feet in all other waters
- Type I, II 9
III 9 V or suit
The term "SUIT"" 9 as refereed to in this table, means Immersion or
exposure suit. The Interim Rule, published 8/3/92 in the Federal
Register, Vol. 57, No. 149, temporarily suspends immersion/exposure
suit requirements for:
1) Undocumented vessels operating on seasonally cold coastal
waters.
2) Documented vessels operating inside the Boundary Line on
seasonally cold coastal waters.
(For "cold" waters months & locations see NVIC 7-91)
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STANDARD:
-At least one device of the proper size per individual. (Either an
immersion suit, exposure suit or wearable PFD).
-Each device stowed so as to be readily accessible.
-Each PFD or suit CG approved, good and serviceable. (See PG 13)
-Immersion suits approved under 46 CFR 160.171.
-Exposure suits approved under 46 CFR 160.071.
-For vessels in Ocean Waters each suit or life preserver must have a
serviceable PFD light that is approved under 46 CFR 161.012.
-Unapproved immersion or exposure suits are accepted if they are
constructed similarly to approved suits, are in good and serviceable
condition, and were either aboard a vessel or owned prior to August
6, 1984 (for approved Adult, Adult/Oversize, and Child/Small Adult
sizes) or prior to September 15, 1991 (for sizes other than Adult,
Adult/Oversize, Child/Small Adult. (SEE NVIC 1-92).
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INSTRUCTORS NOTES:
-Until Sep 19 1995 a child less than 44 lbs. may substitute a PFD for an
immersion or exposure suit.
-The requirement for a Doc Vsl seaward of the Boundary Line to have a
suit if it is north of 32 N includes the Great Lakes.
-*Seaward of the Boundary Line would mean that in most cases a vessel
would be in Ocean Waters since the Boundary Line is drawn following
the general trend of the seaward, high water shoreline, and across
entrances bays inlets and rivers. However, in some instances the
Boundary Line may follow an irregular course.
(For a specific description of the Boundary Lines refer to 46 CFR Part
7)
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REFERENCES:
46 CFR 28.110, 46 CFR 25.25-130 NVIC 7-91, NVIC 1-92
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