Federal Regulations

The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations authorize the U.S. Coast Guard to regulate the manufacture and safety standards of recreational boats and boating-related equipment. These include regulations for:

• Manufacturer certification: 33 CFR 181.5-19
• Identification of boats: 33 CFR 181.21
• Display of capacity information: 33 CFR 183.21-27
• Safe loading: 33 CFR 183.31-43
• Safe powering: 33 CFR 183.51-53
• Flotation: 33 CFR 183.101-335
• Electrical systems: 33 CFR 183.401-460
• Fuel systems: 33 CFR 183.501-590
• Ventilation: 33 CFR 183.601-630
• Start-in-gear protection: 33 CFR 183.701-715
• Navigation lights: 33 CFR 183.801-810
• Backfire flame control: 46 CFR 25.35
• Negligent operation
• Operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or a dangerous drug
• Numbering undocumented vessels
• Reporting undocumented vessel accidents and casualties
• State numbering and casualty reporting systems
• Carriage and use of personal flotation devices (PFDs)
• Carriage and use of visual distress signals (VDS)
• Carriage of fire extinguishing equipment
• Correction of especially hazardous conditions
• Regulated boating areas
• Vessel identification system