Onboard Life Jacket Storage - What is considered "readily accessible"??

[Steve195]

Last weekend, I had the local USCG Auxiliary out to my boat for the annual Vessel Safety Check. As the inspector was checking things out, she complimented me that the life jackets were "readily accessible" as the USCG requires. She mentioned that too many times she sees them in a zippered up bag. I keep mine in the zippered bag, but it's always open with the top folded over so it's easy to grab and go.

After she affixed the sticker, commented that I passed with flying colors and left, I got to thinking about where I keep the life jackets. My boat has a sun pad with two large gull wing hatches that open to the engine and big storage areas on either side. I keep the jackets there on the starboard side. Although I certainly hope it never happens, in the event of an engine fire, I'd certainly want everyone to don the life vests and jump overboard, but I'm sure not going to open the hatch to grab them with the engine ablaze. I'd probably get burned, plus I'd suddenly give the fire massive amounts of oxygen to fuel it.

So I guess I'm within the law, but the more I think about it, I think they should be more specific about where to keep them. I think I'm going to move them to the bow. If nothing else, it will give me peace of mind. I'm curious where others keep there life jackets, especially on smaller boats like my 195 Sport.

 

[Tonka Boater]

I think I would fail based on what you've stated. I keep 4 life vests under a bow cushion -- they're loose and easily accessible but they're ski vests and not USCG approved. I keep a zippered pack of 6 type III, approved vests under my port-side helm. They're easily accessible, in my opinion, but I keep the pack zipped. I also keep a throwable under a cushion that is unobstructed and within arms reach of the helm...between the throwable and the quickly accessible ski vests I feel that I keep myself and my passengers safe but I think I would fail an official inspection. I keep a total of 10 life vests onboard...more than adequate so I have piece of mind.

 

[highslice]

We have 16 - 18 USCG approved life jackets on the boat at all the times. They are kept under the bow seats mostly with the overflow under the starboard cockpit seat. All are loose and unzipped in case they are needed quickly. We have passed several USCG auxilary safety inspections this way with no issue.

 

[electricaldoctor]

Certainly doesn't hurt to have too many, (especially a variety of different sizes) but that represents a lot of people on a 27' boat. At least the boat shouldn't sink. :grin:

 

[highslice]

Certainly doesn't hurt to have too many, (especially a variety of different sizes) but that represents a lot of people on a 27' boat. At least the boat shouldn't sink. :grin:

Yes, they do provide plenty of flotation:smt043. We have only had 17 adults on the boat once and it was tight. But we stayed afloat. It is yacht certified, after all. But variety of sizes is the main reason for the large number.

 

[Gofirstclass]

We have two automatic inflatables for GW and me, two neoprene vests for GW and me (used mainly for floating in the water with a cup of coffee or a drink) and about 20 USCG pfd's. The pfd's are the orange horse collar type and are kept in two places, all readily accessible. I just got my safety inspection and sticker yesterday and passed with flying colors.

One inspector's definition of 'readily accessible' might be different from another's. It's all about what kind of mood he's in.

 

[WDCboater]

It always amazes me some of the stories we hear from the USCG auxiliary when we do our annual safety inspection.

We keep (12) Type II life jackets onboard. (6) are offshore rated. We've attached whistles to all 12 and the 6 offshore jackets also have ACR strobe lights.

Half of our jackets are stored in the compartment below the port side seat across from the helm. Four more are kept under the bench seat behind the helm. One is kept out at all times and sits in a nook between the helm seat and our radar arch. It's a "quick grab" life jacket.

None are in plastic. We also have (2) Type III for the kayak we have onboard. Life ring is mounted to a stainless steel hook from our radar arch.

I'm always in favor of over prepared. On longer trips south on the Potomac River it's not uncommon to be more than a mile from shore and once in the Chesapeake Bay things can get dicey fast.