§ 69-23. Certain equipment required., Article V. Equipment and Lights on Vessels, Chapter 69. Waterways and Regulation of Boats, Code of Ordinances, North Hempstead

The equipment required herein shall be carried on every vessel, except as otherwise provided, while underway or at anchor with any person aboard while on the waterways under the jurisdiction of the Town.

(1)

Life preservers.

(a)

Every pleasure vessel of Classes A, 1 or 2, as classified and defined in § 69-24A of this chapter, and every rowboat and canoe shall have at least one life preserver, ring, buoy, buoyant vest, buoyant cushion or other lifesaving device for each person on board, which shall be of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard and shall be in good condition.

(b)

Pleasure vessels of Classes 3 and 4, as so classified and defined, shall carry at least one life preserver or ring buoy for each person aboard, which shall be of a type approved by the United States Coast Guard and shall be in good condition.

(c)

Every operator or person in charge or control of a pleasure vessel, rowboat or canoe, as described in Subsection A(1) and (2) above, shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this section.

(2)

Whistle. Every mechanically propelled vessel shall be provided with an efficient whistle. The word "whistle" shall mean any sound-producing mechanical appliance, except sirens, capable of producing a blast of two seconds or more in duration and of such strength as to be heard plainly for a distance of at least one-half (1/2) mile in still weather. A siren whistle may only be attached to a vessel operated by a police department, the Town Harbor Patrol, a fire department or public utility company and be used only on emergency calls. On vessels less than 26 feet in length, a mouth whistle capable of producing a blast of two seconds or more in duration which can be heard at least one-half (1/2) mile away may be used.

(3)

Anchors. Every mechanically propelled vessel shall carry an anchor and cable of sufficient weight and strength to provide a safe anchorage for such vessel. It shall be the duty of the master of such vessel to exercise reasonable care and caution and maritime skill in everything relating to the safe anchorage of his vessel.

(4)

Carburetor backfire flame arrestors. The carburetor of every gasoline engine installed in a mechanically propelled vessel after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, shall be fitted with a United States Coast Guard approved device for arresting backfires.

(5)

Classification of fire extinguishers. The classification of fire extinguishers prescribed and approved by the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation pursuant to § 40, Subdivision 5, of the Navigation Law shall serve as the classification of fire extinguishers for the purpose of this chapter.

(6)

Fire extinguishers required.

(a)

Every mechanically propelled vessel, as classified and defined by § 43, Subdivision 1, of the Navigation Law, except outboard motorboats less than 26 feet in length, of open construction, shall carry United States Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers in accordance with the following:

[1]

Class A motorboats shall carry one B-1 fire extinguisher.

[2]

Class 1 motorboats shall carry one B-1 fire extinguisher.

[3]

Class 2 motorboats shall carry two B-1 fire extinguishers.

[4]

Class 3 motorboats shall carry three B-1 fire extinguishers.

[5]

Class 4 motorboats shall carry fire extinguishers and other fire-fighting equipment as required by the Federal Navigation Law and rules and regulations made by the United States Coast Guard for uninspected vessels.

(b)

One Class B-2 fire extinguisher may be substituted for two Class B-1 fire extinguishers.

(c)

When the engine compartment of the motorboat is equipped with a fixed fire-extinguishing system of a United States Coast Guard approved type, one less Class B-1 fire extinguisher is required.

(d)

No fire extinguisher of the toxic-vaporizing-liquid type, including those containing carbon tetrachloride and chlorobromomethane extinguishing agents, shall be used on the waterways under the jurisdiction of the Town.

(7)

Distress flag and night flares. Every mechanically propelled vessel of 18 feet or more, except racing hulls, while being operated on waterways under the jurisdiction of the Town, shall carry a fluorescent orange distress flag which shall be a minimum of one foot square and three hand-held-type red flares for use at night to be displayed and used whenever such vessel is in need of assistance. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to vessels engaged in commerce and having a valid marine document issued by the United States or a foreign government.

(8)

Ventilation. All mechanically propelled vessels, the construction or decking over of which was commenced after April 25, 1940, and which use fuel having a flash point of 110º F. or less shall have at least two ventilators fitted with cowls, or their equivalent, for the purpose of properly and efficiently ventilating the bilges of every engine and fuel-tank compartment in order to remove any flammable or explosive gases. Such mechanically propelled vessels so constructed as to have the greater portion of the bilges under the engine and fuel tanks open and exposed to the natural atmosphere at all times need not be required to be fitted with such ventilators.

(9)

Motorboats of Classes 2, 3 and 4, as classified and defined by § 43, Subdivision 1, of the Navigation Law, shall carry a bell.