306.100. Classification of vessels--equipment requirements.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

306.100. Classification of vessels--equipment requirements.

Classification of vessels--equipment requirements.

306.100. 1. For the purpose of this section, vessels shall bedivided into four classes as follows:

(1) Class A, less than sixteen feet in length;

(2) Class 1, at least sixteen and less than twenty-six feet inlength;

(3) Class 2, at least twenty-six and less than forty feet in length;

(4) Class 3, forty feet and over.

2. All vessels shall display from sunset to sunrise the followinglights when under way, and during such time no other lights, continuousspotlights or docking lights, or other nonprescribed lights shall beexhibited:

(1) Vessels of classes A and 1:

(a) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon;

(b) A combined light in the forepart of the vessel and lower than thewhite light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as tothrow the light from right ahead to two points (22 1/2 degrees) abaft thebeam on their respective sides;

(2) Vessels of classes 2 and 3:

(a) A bright white light in the forepart of the vessel as near thestem as practicable, so constructed as to show the unbroken light over anarc of the horizon of twenty points (225 degrees) of the compass, so fixedas to throw the light ten points (112 1/2 degrees) on each side of thevessel; namely, from right ahead to two points (22 1/2 degrees) abaft thebeam on either side;

(b) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon andhigher than the white light forward;

(c) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show anunbroken light over an arc of the horizon of ten points (112 1/2 degrees)of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to twopoints (22 1/2 degrees) abaft the beam on the starboard side; on the portside a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc ofthe horizon of ten points (112 1/2 degrees) of the compass, so fixed as tothrow the light from right ahead to two points (22 1/2 degrees) abaft thebeam on the portside. The side lights shall be fitted with inboard screensso set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow;

(3) Vessels of classes A and 1 when propelled by sail alone shallexhibit the combined light prescribed by this section and a twelve point(135 degree) white light aft. Vessels of classes 2 and 3, when sopropelled, shall exhibit the colored side lights, suitably screened,prescribed by this section and a twelve point (135 degree) white light aft;

(4) All vessels between the hours of sunset and sunrise that are notunder way, moored at permanent dockage or attached to an immovable objecton shore so that they do not extend more than fifty feet from the shoreshall display one three-hundred-sixty-degree white light visible threehundred sixty degrees around the horizon;

(5) Every white light prescribed by this section shall be of suchcharacter as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. Everycolored light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as tobe visible at a distance of at least one mile. The word "visible" in thissubsection, when applied to lights, shall mean visible on a dark night withclear atmosphere;

(6) When propelled by sail and machinery every vessel shall carry thelights required by this section for a motorboat propelled by machineryonly.

3. Any watercraft not defined as a vessel shall, from sunset tosunrise, carry, ready at hand, a lantern or flashlight showing a whitelight which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avert collision.

4. Any vessel may carry and exhibit the lights required by thefederal regulations for preventing collisions at sea, in lieu of the lightsrequired by subsection 2 of this section.

5. All other watercraft over sixty-five feet in length and thosepropelled solely by wind effect on the sail shall display lights prescribedby federal regulations.

6. Any watercraft used by a person engaged in the act of sportfishing is not required to display any lights required by this section ifno other vessel is within the immediate vicinity of the first vessel, thevessel is using an electric trolling motor and the vessel is within fiftyfeet of the shore.

7. Every vessel, except those in class A, shall have on board atleast one wearable personal flotation device of type I, II or III for eachperson on board and each person being towed who is not wearing one. Everysuch vessel shall also have on board at least one type IV throwablepersonal flotation device.

8. All class A motorboats and all watercraft traveling on the watersof this state shall have on board at least one type I, II, III or IVpersonal flotation device for each person on board and each person beingtowed who is not wearing one.

9. All lifesaving devices required by subsections 7 and 8 of thissection shall be United States Coast Guard approved, in serviceablecondition and so placed as to be readily accessible.

10. Every vessel which is carrying or using flammable or toxic fluidin any enclosure for any purpose, and which is not an entirely open vessel,shall have an efficient natural or mechanical ventilation system which mustbe capable of removing resulting gases prior to and during the time thevessel is occupied by any person.

11. Motorboats shall carry on board at least the following UnitedStates Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers:

(1) Every class A and every class 1 motorboat carrying or usinggasoline or any other flammable or toxic fluid, one B1 type fireextinguisher;

(2) Every class 2 motorboat, one B2 or two B1 type fireextinguishers;

(3) Every class 3 motorboat:

(a) Three B1 type fire extinguishers; or

(b) One B2 type and one B1 type fire extinguisher; or

(d) A fixed fire extinguishing system and two B1 type fireextinguishers.

12. All class 1 and 2 motorboats and vessels shall have a soundingdevice. All class 3 motorboats and vessels shall have at least a soundingdevice and one bell.

13. No person shall operate any watercraft which is not equipped asrequired by this section.

14. A Missouri state water patrol officer may direct the operator ofany watercraft being operated without sufficient personal flotationdevices, fire-fighting devices or in an overloaded or other unsafecondition or manner to take whatever immediate and reasonable steps arenecessary for the safety of those aboard when, in the judgment of theofficer, such operation creates a hazardous condition. The officer maydirect the operator to return the watercraft to the nearest safe mooringand to remain there until the situation creating the hazardous condition iscorrected.

15. A Missouri state water patrol officer may remove any unmanned orunattended watercraft from the water when, in the judgment of the officer,the watercraft creates a hazardous condition.

16. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of additionalspecialized lighting used in the act of sport fishing.