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Good point Ed. I am sure there are boaters/fishermen out there that don't know that on board requirements even change with boat length. It seems strange to me that whom ever makes these laws or rules thinks that being in a smaller craft makes it less likely to need signal devices. I have seen boats the size of mine and shorter miles off shore on Lake Michigan fishing. Coastal waters even have different requirements from inland waterways.

I have routinely shot my expired's off as party tricks when bored out of my front yard. Right or wrong, I found a use for them.

Most of the stuff on the charter list is the same as for private boaters. As far as signalling devices, requirements are the same for us as for private boaters.

Some things we are required, over and above, include: Type I lifejackets (These are the giant May West type) with reflective tape, a cyalume lightstick and a whistle attached to each.) VHF radio. Two compasses. a sea anchor, first aide kit with specific things in it, manual bilge pump, twin electric bilge pumps with dashboard lights showing when they are running, D-cell flashlight, anchor with 200 feet of line. Throw rope with 100 feet of line, $85K liability insurance for each passenger, man-overboard light. Probably a couple other things. I did this from memory.

Mike,
the cyalume sticks are in a holder to attach to the life jacket? Do they also have a date when they also are expired? That would be a good addition for many of us. I could also see the throw line being used with a night marker for the average fishermen. They wouldn't take up anymore room then what is already in the boat as emergency gear. Even if you never used it for yourself, you might be in a situation to assist in after dark hours, and the other boater is without.

The sticks are in a holder so all a person has to do I sqeeze the holder to activate it. There is an expiration date on each tube. Out of date cyalume sticks don't glow as well as new ones but they do glow. The important thing is to have something glowing after dark. A little glow goes a long way in the blackness. Four year shelf life on new ones.

Thanks Captain.

This is a good time of year for discussions on safety gear. I hope and pray we never have to use it.