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Safe Loading
Applicability
FEDERAL LAW
183.31 - Applicability
This subpart applies to monohull boats
less than 20 feet in length except sailboats, canoes,
kayaks, and inflatable boats. |
For the purpose of this subpart, a monohull
is defined as: a boat on which the line of intersection of
the water surface and the boat at any operating draft forms
a single closed curve or "footprint." A pontoon boat is not
a monohull, but a catamaran would be if the top of the "tunnel"
between the two hulls touches the water aft when in a static
position and loaded with water, fuel and passengers. The footprint,
in this case, will be a continuous line.
A canoe or kayak or similar watercraft
is defined as: a watercraft designed to be manually
propelled or equipped with a low horsepower motor whose ends
do not have a transverse dimension greater than 45% of the
maximum beam and whose length to beam ratio is as specified
below:
| Length |
Length/Beam Ratio |
| 14 Feet or Less |
3:1 to 5:1 |
| Over 14 Feet to 16 Feet |
4:1 to 6:1 |
| Over 16 Feet |
5:1 to 8:1 |
An inflatable boat is defined as:
any craft that achieves and maintains its intended shape and
buoyancy through the medium of inflation. This includes RIBs.
A sailboat is defined as: a
boat designed or intended to use sails as the primary means
of propulsion.
Discussion:
This regulation applies only to monohull boats of less than
20 feet, the size range where the Coast Guard has found the
largest number of accidents.
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