Carver 396 Motor Yacht 2003 Owner's Manual
2003
396 Motor Yacht
Owners Guide
HIN - CDR
2003 Version 1
Carver Boat Corporation
790 Markham Drive
P.O. Box 1010
Pulaski, WI 54162-1010
USA
Phone (920) 822-3214
Fax (920) 822-3213
www.carveryachts.com
Robert VanGrunsven
President
Congratulations and Welcome Aboard!
This Owners Guide was designed to acquaint you with the safe, proper operation and
maintenance of your new boat and its systems. Your first duty as Captain of your new
Carver should be to read your Owners Guide and all manufacturer-supplied operating and
maintenance instructions found within your Owners Information kit.
Be sure to mail in all manufacturer registrations and warranty cards to validate your
Carver and OEM warranties. These warranty cards have been assembled and are contained
in the OEM information packets within your Owners Information kit.
If youre new to boating, learn the proper rules of seamanship to ensure the safety of your
passengers. Refer to Chapmans Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling and attend
a safe boating class offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Power Squadron, or any enterprise experienced in conducting safe boating courses.
Thank you for choosing Carver. Were confident your new boat will provide you and your
family with years of enjoyable cruising.
DECLARATION OF
CONFORMITY
Model Designation
396 Motor Yacht
Carver Boat Corporation declares that the 396 Motor Yacht complies with EC directive 94/
25/EC, and in accordance with the following harmonized standards and the recreational
craft sectoral guidelines in effect at the time of construction.
ISO Reference (Directive) Requirement (RSG) Reference
8666 12216 8469 Annex I 3.2
12217 8849 8099 Annex V-VIII, XII 3.3
8665 11812 10088 Article 8 2.1
14945 12216 12217 2.2 2.3
15083 10087 9094 3.6 2.4
15084 14945 15085 2.5 3.1
8885 11592 11591 3.4 3.5
10240 11192 7840 3.7 3.8
8846 10133 11105 3.9 4
12215 9093 13592 5.1.1 5.1.3
9097 13297 15584 5.2.1 5.2.2
8847 8848 9775 5.3 5.4.1
10592 13929 15852 5.5 COLREGS
10239 4505
Type Examination Certification Number
EC Module B+C BCAR018
Notified Body
IMCI (#0609) Robin J. Clonkey
Rond-Point Manager Manufacturing Methods
Schuman 6 Box 6 Carver Boat Corporation
B-1040 Brussels 790 Markham Drive
Belgium Pulaski, WI 54162
USA
PREFACE
Using Your Owners
Information Kit
Owners Guide
A TIP FROM CARVER!
There are many people within the
Carver organization who are avid
boaters. Some of the experience
gained during our years of
boating are presented in this
Owner's Guide. This information
is presented in the left margin
and is entitled "A TIP FROM
CARVER".
Your Owners Information kit contains this Owners
Guide and a set of manuals referred to as "OEM
information." Please read the Owners Guide and
OEM information carefully and familiarize yourself
with your boat before operating the boat or any of its
components or systems.
IMPORTANT: The Owners Information kit must be
onboard whenever your boat is operated. If you sell
your boat, make sure the new owner receives the entire
kit.
This guide explains how to safely operate and maintain
your boat and its various systems. The guide also contains safety precautions and operational tips, as described below.
Describes a hazard that can cause death or severe
injury if the instructions are ignored.
Describes a hazard that can cause serious injury and/
or property damage if the instructions are ignored.
5/01
Describes a hazard that can cause damage to your
boat or its components if the instructions are ignored.
NOTE: Provides important information that can help
you avoid problems.
If this is your first boat, or if you are changing to a type
of boat you are not familiar with, for your own comfort
and safety, please obtain handling and operation experience before operating the boat. Your dealer or national
sailing federation or yacht club can advise you of local
sea schools or competent instructors.
NOTE: Drawings and illustrations contained within this
guide are included as graphic aids to assist in the
general operation and maintenance of your boat. These
drawings and graphics do not include all details of
PREFACE
each system and are not drawn to scale. Do not reference these drawings to order parts or to service your
boat. Contact your authorized Carver Dealer for any
parts or service required for your boat.
The information contained in this Owners Guide was
complete and accurate at the time the guide was printed.
Carver reserves the right to change materials, part
numbers, specifications, or system designs at any time
without notice.
OEM Information
The OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) information is supplied by companies from whom Carver has
purchased components to install in your boat. These
components include, but are not limited to, standard
items like the engines, sanitation system, various pumps,
and 12-volt batteries, as well as optional items like the
air conditioning system and navigation systems. The
OEM information explains how to operate and maintain
the components.
If you install an aftermarket accessory on your boat, add
the OEM information that accompanies the accessory to
the Owner's Information kit.
NOTE: If the OEM information conflicts with this
Owners Guide, follow the instructions in the OEM
information.
5/01
PREFACE
Pre-Delivery Service
Record
Warranty
Registration
The Pre-Delivery Service Record that follows this
page must be completed and signed by your Carver
Dealer before you take delivery of your new Carver
yacht. Your Carver Dealer will prepare your boat for
delivery in accordance with the procedures detailed
within this document.
Be certain that the boats Pre-Delivery Service Record
and all OEM warranty cards have been completed and
mailed to their respective companies. Be sure you
retain a copy of the Pre-Delivery Service Record for
your own reference.
Carver warrants every boat we manufacture as explained in the Carver Limited Warranty. Your copy of
the warranty is located in Section 9. Please review
the warranty carefully.
The Warranty Registration that follows this page is
the first step in activating your Carver limited warranty. This document must be completed and signed
by you and your Carver Dealer before you take delivery of your new Carver yacht. Failure to complete and
register this Warranty Registration could void your
Carver limited warranty.
Your Carver Dealer will review the terms of the
Carver warranty and make certain the warranty is
registered with Carver.
To ensure that the warranty remains in effect during
its lifetime, Carver Boat Corporation, your Carver
Dealer, and you must each uphold specific responsibilities. These responsibilities are described in Sec-
tion 9.
At time of delivery, make a complete inspection of the
boat and its systems. Document any work that needs
to be completed by the Dealer in order to meet the
terms of your agreement.
There are two cards located at the end of this Preface.
These are Second and Third Owner Registration
Cards. We strongly recommend that the purchaser of
a previously-owned Carver register ownership with
Carver.
5/01
PREFACE
5/01
THIRD OWNER REGISTRATION
Owner's Name:
Street Address:
City: State: Zip Code:
Telephone: ( ) Date of Purchase:
Purchased From:
Boat Hull Identification Number: C DR
Third Owner Registration does not extend, alter, or transfer the Carver Limited Warranty.
Refer to the Carver Limited Warranty for details.
SECOND OWNER REGISTRATION
Owner's Name:
Street Address:
City: State: Zip Code:
Telephone: ( ) Date of Purchase:
Purchased From:
Boat Hull Identification Number: C DR
Second Owner Registration does not extend, alter, or transfer the Carver Limited Warranty. Refer to the Carver Limited Warranty for details.
CARVER BOAT CORPORATION
P O BOX 1010
PULASKI WI 54162-1010
CARVER BOAT CORPORATION
P O BOX 1010
PULASKI WI 54162-1010
SECTION 1BOATING SAFETY
Boating Safety
Safe Operation............................................................................ 2
Safety Recommendations ................................................. 2
Adverse Conditions ........................................................... 3
Emergency Procedures ..................................................... 6
Safety Equipment ............................................................11
Owners Responsibilities .......................................................... 14
Safe Boating Courses ...................................................... 14
Rules of the Road ............................................................15
Documentation ................................................................15
Drugs and Alcohol ........................................................... 16
Distress Calls................................................................... 16
Voluntary Inspections .....................................................16
Boating Accidents ........................................................... 16
Boating Regulations ........................................................ 17
Pre-Departure Actions..................................................... 18
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Warnings ............................................. 19
Preventing CO Exposure ................................................. 19
Identifying CO Exposure ................................................. 21
Treating CO Exposure .....................................................21
Warning Labels ......................................................................... 21
3808 6/02
1
BOATING SAFETY
SECTION 1
Safe Operation
Safety
Recommendations
Boating safety is your responsibility. You must fully
understand the operating procedures and safety precautions in the Owners Information kit and this owners
guide before you operate your new boat. Safe boating is
no accident.
Safe operation includes, but is not limited to, the following.
Keep your boat and equipment in safe operating
condition. Inspect the hull, engines, safety equipment, and all boating gear regularly.
NOTE: Federal law requires you to provide and
maintain safety equipment on your boat. Consult
U.S. Coast Guard, state, and local regulations to
ensure your boat has all required safety equipment
onboard. Additional equipment may be recommended for your safety and that of your passengers.
Make yourself aware of its availability and use.
Be very careful when fueling your boat. Be sure you
know the capacity of your boats fuel tank and the
amount of fuel used when operating at frequently
used engine speeds (RPMs). Refer to the Specifi-
cations portion of Section 9 for the fuel tank
capacity. Refer to the Fueling portion of Section
5 for information on fueling your boat.
Make sure you have enough fuel onboard for antici-
pated cruising requirements. In general, use 1/3 of
your supply to reach your destination and use 1/3 to
return. Keep 1/3 in reserve for changes in your
plans due to weather or other circumstances.
Be sure fire extinguishing and lifesaving equipment
is onboard. This equipment must meet regulatory
standards, and it should be noticeable, accessible
and in proper operating condition. Your passengers
should know where this equipment is and how to
use it.
Keep an eye on the weather. Be aware of possible
changing conditions by checking local weather
reports before your departure. Monitor strong
winds and electrical storms.
2
3808 6/02
SECTION 1BOATING SAFETY
Always keep accurate, updated charts of the area
you are cruising. Back up charts if you use a chart
plotter.
Before you leave the port or harbor, file a Float Plan
with a family member, relative, friend, or other
responsible person ashore.
Always operate your boat with care, courtesy and
common sense.
Instruct at least one passenger onboard in the basic
operation of your boat. This person can take over if
you unexpectedly become unable to do so.
Do not allow passengers to ride on parts of your
boat other than designated seating areas.
Ask all passengers to remain seated while the boat
is in motion.
Adverse
Conditions
Do not use the boarding platform or boarding ladder
while either or both of the engines are running.
Understand and obey the Rules of the Road.
Always maintain complete control of your boat.
Do not overload or improperly load your boat.
Do not travel faster than conditions warrant or
beyond your abilities.
Do not operate your boat in weather or sea condi-
tions beyond your skill and experience.
Do not operate your boat while under the influence
of drugs and/or alcohol.
Do not operate your boat if your visibility is im-
paired.
Weather
Storms rarely appear without advance notice. Check the
weather forecast before you begin a day of boating. Be
aware, however, that weather conditions can change
rapidly. If you have a marine radio, listen to the
weather reports issued by the U.S. Coast Guard and
3808 6/02
3
BOATING SAFETY
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SECTION 1
others. If you have a portable radio, keep it tuned to a
station broadcasting frequent weather reports. Many
boating clubs fly weather signals. Learn to recognize
these signals, and listen to your local forecasts before
leaving port.
W
EATHER SIGNALS
Small Craft Adv
Winds to 38 mph
Day Flags
Night Lights
Storm Warning
Winds to 72 mph
BLACK on
234567890123
234567890123
234567890123
234567890123
234567890123
234567890123
Day Flags
RED
RED
WHITE
RED
Gale Warning
Winds to 54 mph
RED
WHITE
RED
Hurricane
Winds to 54 mph
BLACK on
23456789012
23456789012
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RED
4
RED
RED
WHITE
Night Lights
RED
RED
Your surroundings can also be a good indicator of changing weather conditions. Watch for changes in wind
direction or cloud formations. There is no substitute for
a good understanding of weather conditions and what to
do when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
3808 6/02
SECTION 1BOATING SAFETY
Fog
Fog is a result of either warm-surface or cold-surface
conditions. You can judge the likelihood of fog formation
by periodically measuring the air temperature and dew
point temperature. If the difference between these two
temperatures is small, fog is likely to develop.
Remember the following guidelines:
Unless your boat is well equipped with charts and
navigational equipment, head for shore at the first
sign of fog and wait until conditions improve. If you
have charts on board, take bearings as fog sets in,
mark your position, and continue to log your course
and speed.
Make sure all persons onboard put on their per-
sonal flotation devices.
If your boat has sounding equipment, take sound-
ings regularly and match them with depths shown
on your charts.
Station a person forward in the boat as a lookout.
Reduce your speed. From time to time, stop engines
and listen for other fog signals.
Sound the horn or fog bell intermittently to warn
others.
If there is any doubt in continuing your excursion,
anchor. Listen for other fog signals while continuing to sound your fog horn or bell.
Storms
At all times, the boat operator should be aware of
present weather conditions and the weather forecast. If
storms are a possibility, keep a watch on the horizon,
especially to the West for approaching storms. Monitor
the weather forecast on a marine channel or local
weather station. It would be best to return to a safe port
if time allows.
3808 6/02
Other steps to follow to weather the storm include:
5
BOATING SAFETY
SECTION 1
Close portlights, exterior doors and hatches and
secure them. Stow all loose gear below deck and tie
down any gear on deck.
Reduce speed as the seas build. Make sure all
persons onboard have put on their personal flotation devices.
Drop a sea anchor to maintain the bow into the
seas. If you do not have a sea anchor onboard, use a
canvas bucket, tackle box, or other object that will
work like an anchor.
Radar reflectors (if installed on your boat) should be 18
inches, measured diagonally. They should be placed 12
feet above the waterline, otherwise, a boat with radar
may have trouble seeing your boat.
Emergency
Procedures
The following is not an exhaustive list of situations
which may be encountered while boating. You should
obtain training to handle any emergencies which may
arise.
Fire
Any fire onboard your boat is serious. Explosion is
possible. Develop a fire response plan. Respond
immediately.
To help prevent a fire onboard your boat, keep your
bilges clean and check for fuel and gas vapors at regular
intervals. Also, DO NOT fit free-hanging curtains or
other fabrics in the vicinity of or above the stove top or
other open flame devices. Do not store any materials or
equipment of any kind in the engine room.
Every boater should develop a fire response plan to
determine what kind of fire (fuel, electrical, etc.) might
break out, where it might break out, and the best way
to react. Have a plan and, if possible, assign responsibilities to others to allow quicker decisions and reactions.
6
3808 6/02
SECTION 1BOATING SAFETY
Never:
Obstruct passage ways to exits and hatches.
Obstruct safety controls, such as fuel valves, gas
valves and electrical system switches.
Obstruct portable fire extinguishers in lockers.
Leave the boat unattended when cooking or heat-
ing appliances are in use.
Use gas lights in the boat.
Modify any of the boat's systems (especially
electrical, fuel or gas).
Fill any fuel tank or replace gas bottles when
machinery is running or when cooking or heating
appliances are in use.
Smoke while handling fuel or gas.
NOTE: Everyone onboard should know where fire
extinguishers are and how to operate them.
In case of fire:
Stop the engines immediately.
If the fire is in the engine room, shut off the bilge
blowers immediately. Do not open the hatch to
the engine room. The fire will flare up if the fresh
air supply increases suddenly.
Keep the fire downwind if possible. If the fire is aft,
head into the wind.
Have all persons onboard put on their personal
flotation devices.
If you can get at the fire, aim the fire extinguisher
at the base of the flames and use a sweeping motion
to put out the fire.
If the fire gets out of control, make a distress signal
and call for help on the radio.
3808 6/02
Deciding whether to stay with the boat or abandon ship
will be difficult. If the decision is to abandon ship, all
persons onboard should jump overboard and swim a
safe distance away from the burning boat.
7
BOATING SAFETY
SECTION 1
Smoking, poor maintenance or carelessness when
refueling can cause hazardous conditions. Always
follow proper refueling procedures for your boat.
Flooding
If your boat is taking on water from a leak in the hull,
turn on your bilge pumps. Assign someone to bail out
the bilge and investigate the cause of the flooding. When
the source of the leak is found, attempt to repair it.
Almost anything can be stuffed into a hole to stop the
leaking temporarily. Material used to stop a leak will
work better if it is applied from the outside where water
pressure can help hold it in. If necessary, station a crew
member to hold the plug in place if the plug is applied
from the inside. In all cases, station a crew member or
passenger to watch the plugged area and alert others if
it fails.
Swamped or Capsized Boat
If your boat becomes swamped or capsizes, put on a
personal flotation device immediately and set off a
distress signal. Chances are good a capsized boat will
stay afloat. For this reason, stay with the boat. Do not
leave the boat or try to swim to shore except under
extreme conditions. A capsized boat is easier to see than
a swimmer, and the shore may be further away than it
appears.
If water is coming over the bow, reduce headway and
turn the boat slightly so that the bow is slightly off from
meeting the waves head on. Drop a sea anchor and
adjust the length of the line to hold the bow at the most
favorable angle.
Collision
If a serious collision occurs, check everyone onboard for
injuries, then inspect the boat to determine the extent
of the damage.
8
Prepare to help the other craft unless your boat or
its passengers are in danger.
3808 6/02
SECTION 1BOATING SAFETY
If the bow of the other craft penetrated your boats
hull, prepare to plug the fracture once the boats are
separated.
Shore up the hole inside your boat with a spare life
jacket or bunk cushion.
While plugging the hole, trim weight to get the hole
above the water level during repairs, if possible.
If your boat is in danger of sinking, have everyone
onboard put on their personal flotation devices.
If your boat has a radio, contact the U.S. Coast
Guard or other rescue authorities immediately on
VHF channel 16 or CB radio channel 22. (You may
also be able to use VHF channels 9 or 13 or your
cellular phone in some states).
Running Aground
Excessive weight in the fore or aft sections of the boat
will cause a trim change and may yield greater draft
than expected. Equip your boat with a good quality
depth-measuring instrument and allow ample water
below the hull while operating.
If your boat runs aground, check everyone onboard for
injuries, then inspect the boat for damage. If lightly
grounded, shift the weight of the passengers or gear to
heel the boat while reversing engines. If towing becomes
necessary, use a commercial towing service.
Never attach a tow line to a deck cleat or anchor windlass. The cleats and windlass are not designed to take
the full load of the boat and may pull free from the
deck, causing serious injury or property damage.
Man Overboard
3808 6/02
You should know what to do in case someone falls
overboard. Emergency procedures are published in
Chapmans and instruction is offered by the U.S. Coast
Guard.
9
BOATING SAFETY
SECTION 1
If a person falls overboard, hypothermia may be an
immediate concern. Hypothermia occurs when a
persons body loses heat faster than the body can replace
it. If not rescued, the person will become exhausted or
likely drown. In general, the colder the water, the faster
body heat is lost. Personal flotation devices increase
survival time because they provide insulation.
W
ATER SURVIVAL CHART
Water
Temp. (°F)
32.5
32.5-40
40-50
50-60
60-70
70-80
Over 80
Exhaustion
Unconsciousness
Under 15 min.
15-30 min.
30-60 min.
1-2 hr.
2-7 hr.
3-12 hr.
Indefinite
Expected Time
of Survival
Under 45 min.
30-90 min.
1-3 hr.
1-6 hr.
2-40 hr.
3 hr.- Indefinite
Indefinite
Medical Emergency
No one should act as a doctor if they are not properly trained and educated. Someone onboard your
boat should know first aid. First aid training is available
through your local Red Cross. Keep a fully stocked first
aid kit onboard your boat at all times.
Equipment Failure
10
Steering, propulsion or control failure can be prevented
by having your boat maintained correctly and checked
periodically. If systems onboard your boat do fail, radio
for help or signal with flags and wait until help arrives.
Radio Communication
You are responsible for obtaining a radio operators
permit and knowing and following proper rules and
procedures. Private boats are not required to have their
radio on at all times; however, if your radio is on, it
should be tuned to channel 16 unless it is being actively
used. Channel 16 is the frequency for emergency calls or
initial calls between boats. After establishing contact on
channel 16, change your frequency to channel 22.
3808 6/02
SECTION 1BOATING SAFETY
More information on radio communications can be found
in Chapmans Piloting.
Distress Signals
The operator is required to lend assistance to a craft in
distress as long as your life or boat is not put in harms
way in the process. Good Samaritan laws protect you
from any liability incurred while giving aid.
Safety Equipment
NOTE: Federal law requires you to provide and maintain safety equipment onboard your boat. Consult U.S.
Coast Guard, state and local regulations to ensure your
boat has all required safety equipment onboard. You
must learn about any additional recommended equipment before operating the boat.
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
There must be one U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable
personal flotation device of Type I, II, or III for each
person onboard your boat. The PFDs must be readily
accessible and in serviceable condition. They must also
be of a suitable size for each person onboard. Three
PFDs (two wearable and one throwable) are required
regardless of the number of persons onboard.
PFD Type I, Wearable: This offshore life jacket is
most effective for all waters when rescue may be delayed. In the water, its design turns most unconscious
people from a facedown position to a vertical or face-up
position.
3808 6/02
PFD Type II, Wearable: This near-shore buoyant vest
is intended for calm inland waters where there is a
chance of quick rescue. It turns its wearer to a face-up
position, but the turning action is not as pronounced as
the Type I, and it will not turn as many people under
the same conditions as a Type I.
PFD Type III, Wearable: Classified as a flotation aid,
this PFD will not turn a victim to a face-up position.
This type of PFD is frequently used in water sports.
PFD Type IV, Throwable: You must also have onboard at least one throwable PFD Type IV device. The
design of the Type IV device does not allow it to be worn.
It must be thrown to a person in the water and held by
11
BOATING SAFETY
SECTION 1
the user until rescued. The most common Type IV PFDs
are buoyant cushions or ring buoys. This PFD must be
in serviceable condition and immediately available for
use.
Visual Distress Signals
The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all boats operating
on U.S. coastal waters have visual distress signal
equipment. Boats owned in the United States and
operating on the high seas must also carry this equipment.
Visual distress equipment must be readily accessible
and in serviceable condition. Both pyrotechnic and nonpyrotechnic equipment must be U.S. Coast Guard
approved. This equipment can become ineffective with
age. If your equipments usage date has expired, replace
the equipment before taking your boat out.
Approved pyrotechnic equipment includes:
Hand held or aerial red flares
Hand held or floating orange smoke
Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute
flares.
Approved non-pyrotechnic equipment includes:
Orange distress flag
Dye markers
Electric distress light.
No one signaling device is ideal under all conditions.
Consider carrying various types of equipment. Careful
selection and proper stowage of visual distress equipment are very important. Select devices with packaging
that children, but not adults, will find difficult to open,
especially if young children are onboard.
Sound Signaling Device
Your boat must have an operable device that can produce a sound signal if conditions require. A horn is
standard equipment on all Carver models.
12
For boats over 26 feet and under 39 feet, 4 inches, the
device can be hand or power operated and must be able
to produce a four-second blast which can be heard one-
3808 6/02
SECTION 1BOATING SAFETY
half mile away. Refer to the U.S. Coast Guards publication Navigational Rules, International-Inland for
details on the appropriate signals.
Boats longer than 39 feet, 4 inches, must have a bell
and a whistle. These devices must meet the requirements of the Inland Navigational Rules Act of 1980.
Running and Navigation Lights
Your boat must have running and navigation lights for
safe operation after dark. Observe all navigation rules
for meeting and passing. Do not run at high speeds
during night operation. Always use common sense and
good judgment when operating your boat at night.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers must be approved by the U.S. Coast
Guard. The U.S. Coast Guard classifies fire extinguishers by the type of fire they can extinguish. These classifications include foam, carbon dioxide, chemical, and
Halon-type fire extinguishers. Below are the requirements for fire extinguishers at the time this guide was
prepared.
Boats longer than 26' and shorter than 40': Two
Type B-I or at least one Type B-II portable hand extinguisher. If your boat has a fixed fire extinguishing
system approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, one Type B-1
extinguisher is required.
Boats longer than 40' and shorter than 65': Three
Type B-I or one Type B-I and one Type B-II portable
hand extinguishers. If your boat has a fixed fire extinguishing system approved by the U.S. Coast Guard,
Two Type B-I or one Type B-II extinguisher is required.
All fire extinguishers should be mounted in a readily
accessible location away from the engine room. Everyone onboard should know where the fire extinguishers
are and how to operate them.
If your fire extinguisher has a charge indicator gauge,
cold or hot weather may affect the gauge reading.
Consult the instruction manual supplied with the fire
extinguisher to determine the accuracy of the gauge.
3808 6/02
13
BOATING SAFETY
SECTION 1
Check and maintain fire extinguishing equipment in
accordance with its manufacturers recommendations.
Be sure to replace fire fighting equipment, if expired or
discharged, by devices of identical or greater fire fighting capacity.
Recommended Equipment
In addition to required equipment, you may want to
carry the following:
Spare anchor
Heaving line
Fenders
Flashlight
Mirror
Suntan lotion
Spare propeller(s)
Tool kit
Ring buoy
Navigational charts
Mooring lines
Binoculars
Spare parts
Spare pump.
Owners
Responsibilities
Safe Boating
Courses
There are several areas you must have knowledge of to
operate your boat in a safe, responsible manner.
Your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S.
Power Squadrons offer comprehensive safe boating
classes several times a year. You may contact the Boat/
U.S. Foundation at 1-800-336-BOAT (2628) or, in Virginia, at 1-800-245-BOAT (2628). For a course schedule
in your area you may also contact your local U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron Flotilla for the time
and place of their next scheduled class.
Carver also recommends that you read Chapmans
Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling for
further information on how to handle your boat in
various situations.
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SECTION 1BOATING SAFETY
Rules of the Road
Navigating a boat responsibly requires you to comply
with a set of rules intended to prevent accidents. Just as
you assume other car drivers know what they are doing,
other boaters assume you know what you are doing.
As a responsible boater, you must comply with the
marine traffic rules enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard.
There are two sets of rules: the United States Inland
Navigational Rules and the International Rules. The
United States Inland Rules apply to all vessels inside
the demarcation lines separating inland and international waters. The U.S. Coast Guard lists the traffic
regulations in its publication Navigational Rules,
International-Inland. You can get a copy from your
local U.S. Coast Guard Unit or the United States Coast
Guard Headquarters, 1300 E Street NW, Washington,
D.C. 20226.
Other helpful publications available from the U.S. Coast
Guard include Aids to Navigation (U.S. Coast
Guard pamphlet #123), which explains the significance
of various lights and buoys; the Boating Safety
Training Manual and Federal Requirements For
Recreational Boats. Check with your local U.S. Coast
Guard station, your Carver Dealer, or a local marina
about navigational aids unique to your area.
Documentation
The owner of a boat registered with the U.S. Coast
Guard is issued a Certificate of Number. This certificate
must be onboard whenever the boat is in use. State
registration is also required. If your boat has a VHF
radio onboard, an FCC license must also be displayed.
Check with the U.S. Coast Guard or your state regulatory agency to determine what other records are required on your boat.
In addition to required documents, it is strongly recommended that you maintain the following logs. Log books
are available from maritime supply stores.
A navigation log containing engine speeds, compass
courses and time records, which are essential for
both cruising and maintenance purposes.
A radio log, which is mandatory on vessels required
to have a radio. A radio log can be useful to record
unusual events, especially for future litigation.
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BOATING SAFETY
SECTION 1
A maintenance log to track the type and frequency
of maintenance procedures performed on your boat
and its systems. Refer to Section 7 for more infor-
mation on maintaining your boat.
An engine/fuel log, which is essential for calculating
range and fuel requirements.
A GPS/Loran log if your boat contains this equip-
ment.
Drugs and Alcohol
Distress Calls
Voluntary
Inspections
Drugs and alcohol adversely affect a persons ability to
make sound judgments, react quickly and, in general,
safely operate a boat. As a responsible boater, you must
refrain from using drugs or alcohol while operating your
boat. Operating a motorized boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol carries a significant penalty.
If you have a ship-to-shore radio telephone, heed storm
warnings and answer any distress calls from other
boats. The word MAYDAY spoken three times is the
international signal of distress. Monitor marine radio
channel 16 which is reserved for emergency and safety
messages. You can also use this channel to contact the
U.S. Coast Guard or other boaters if you have trouble.
Never send a MAYDAY message unless there is a
serious emergency and you are in need of immediate assistance.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliaries or state boating
officials in many states offer courtesy inspections to
check your boat for compliance with safety standards
and required safety equipment. You may voluntarily
consent to one of these inspections, after which you are
allowed time to make corrections without prosecution.
Check with the appropriate state agency or the U.S.
Coast Guard Auxiliary for details.
Boating Accidents
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The operator of a vessel used for recreational purposes
is required to file a report whenever an accident results
in loss of life or disappearance from a vessel, an injury
requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, property
damage in excess of $200 or complete loss of the vessel.
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SECTION 1BOATING SAFETY
In cases of death and injury, reports must be submitted
within 48 hours. In other cases, reports must be submitted within 10 days. Reports must be submitted in the
state where the accident occurred.
Boating
Regulations
It is your responsibility to make sure that your boat is
in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations. Check with your local U.S. Coast Guard office for
relevant federal regulations. Your states Department of
Natural Resources may have some publications available which deal with relevant state laws.
Garbage
Dumping garbage into the sea is a worldwide problem.
U.S. Coast Guard regulations prohibit dumping plastic
refuse and garbage mixed with plastic into any waters,
and restrict the dumping of other forms of garbage. It is
essential that all boaters help to clean our waterways
by properly disposing of all garbage.
Within three miles of the shore of U.S. lakes, rivers and
bays it is illegal to dump plastic, dunnage, lining and
packing materials that float, and any garbage except
dishwater/greywater or fresh fish parts. From three to
twelve miles from shore it is illegal to dump plastic,
dunnage, lining and packing materials that float, and
any garbage not ground to less than one square inch.
From 12 to 25 miles from shore it is illegal to dump
plastic, dunnage, lining and packing materials that
float. Beyond 25 miles from shore it is illegal to dump
plastics.
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Oil
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the
discharge of oil or oily waste into or upon the navigable
waters and contiguous zone of the United States if such
discharge causes a film or sheen upon, or discoloration
of, the surface of the water, or causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are
subject to a significant fine.
Septic Waste
On U.S. inland and coastal waters, it is illegal to discharge septic waste directly overboard. If your boat is
equipped with an overboard discharge option, check
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BOATING SAFETY
SECTION 1
with your local U.S. Coast Guard office to be sure that
you are in compliance with federal regulations.
State and Local Ordinances
Your state or locality may have laws limiting speed,
noise, or your boats wake. Check with your harbor
master to find out whether your boats operation is
restricted in any way by local ordinances or state laws.
Check with state and local authorities to make sure
that you are in compliance with local regulations regarding marine sanitation, noise, speed and wake.
Pre-Departure
Actions
Check the weather. Make sure conditions and seas
will not be hazardous during your voyage.
Make sure all safety equipment is onboard, acces-
sible and in good working condition.
Check the bilge for fuel vapor or water. Ventilate or
pump out the bilge as necessary.
Be sure the horn, navigation equipment and lights
are working properly.
Instruct guests and crew in safety and operational
matters.
Check engine and transmission oil and coolant
levels. After starting the engines, check the overboard flow of cooling water, engine temperatures
and oil pressures.
Fill fuel tanks as full as you need. Know your tank
capacity and fuel consumption at various RPMs
and the cruising radius this gives you. When estimating your range, it is best to count on using 1/3
of your fuel to reach your destination and 1/3 of
your fuel to return, with the remaining 1/3 of your
fuel in reserve for emergencies.
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Have a second person onboard capable of taking
over the boats operation in case you are disabled.
Before departing, inform a friend or relative where
you intend to cruise and when you will return so
they can tell the U.S. Coast Guard where to look
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