Boating Safety—Justin Borque and Matthew Bongi of Seachoice Discuss the Ins and Outs of Boating Safety Products

PartsVu Xchange Talks Boating host Tonia Becker sat down with Justin Bourque and Matthew Bongi from Seachoice to talk boating safety. In this episode, you'll hear their recommendations for SeaChoice products and general boating safety products to carry onboard based on the type of boating. You'll learn about the difference in safety product recommendations from near-shore boating on lakes and rivers to offshore boating on the ocean or great lakes. And, we specifically discuss personal floatation devices (PFDs) to answer questions boaters frequently ask.

Want to listen to the podcast? You can find PartsVu Xchange Talks Boating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and Stitcher.

Let's start with near-shore boating on a moderate size or smaller boat. Could you give us an overview of the safety items you recommend having onboard?

Justin: I recently purchased a boat a little less than a year ago, so I can say from personal experience it can get quite confusing if you’re a first-time boat buyer. I will run through the US Coast Guard (USCG) requirements; however, states and local governments also have different requirements depending on where you're boating. In terms of USCG, a small boat is less than 16 feet, and a moderate-sized boat is 16-26 feet. They mostly have the same requirements:

For all boats, each person must have a life jacket appropriate for that user and use case.
You’re required to have a throwable (a square cushion, also called a Type 4 PFD) onboard if the boat is over 16 feet. A PFD like a ring buoy also meets this requirement.
For motor powerboats, less than 26’you need at least one fire extinguisher B-1 fire extinguisher (a 5-pound fire extinguisher) on board. Boats 26’ – 40’ must carry a minimum of two B-1 fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers have expiration dates, so boaters need to be mindful of that.
A sound-making device (either an air horn or whistle) even on paddle boards and kayaks.
The last requirement is a visual distress signal. For boats under 16 feet, you're only required to carry a nighttime signal when you're operating between sunrise and sunset. For boats 16-26 feet, you're required to have three day and three night or three day/night combination signals.

Pyrotechnics

We have both day/night variants and day-only variants. The day/night variants are what we consider a flare gun. There are two types of these: a flare gun and a handheld. There's also a variant that shoots smoke, and this is considered a day-only signal. These have expiration dates on them, so it does not count if you have an expired product.

Non-Pyrotechnics

For non-pyrotechnic options, there are distress flags for daytime use. There's also a non-pyrotechnic night variant, which is an electronic distress light. This distress light will blink SOS in the actual pattern of the light. I want to note that other strobe lights on the market just blink, so make sure you check the packaging on anything you purchase. If your device doesn't blink that SOS cadence, you're not in compliance with this USCG requirement.

Do any other near-shore safety tips come to your mind?

Justin: If you have a small boat that you can paddle, it’s always best to be prepared in case your engine dies. So while it's not required, it’s recommended that you have some oars or paddles onboard.

A recent change is that in April 2021, a new USCG regulation for boats smaller than 26’ became law, and most models have to use the lanyard cutoff now.

Finally, always make sure you have enough fuel. As a general rule of thumb, have one-third to go out, one-third to return, and one-third in reserve.

So how about offshore boaters? What are some of the essential safety items offshore boaters need to have onboard?

Matthew: There are some additional safety considerations for offshore boating due to the distance from land and other boaters. The following USCG requirements apply to boats 26’ or larger.

You need a B2 (10 pounds) or two B1 (five pounds each) fire extinguishers.
A Type 1 offshore vest is recommended. This type of PFD allows your head to stay above the water if you’re unconscious.
An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). These devices communicate your position through satellite to emergency services and locate your exact position for rescue. While not required by the Coast Guard, EPIRBs are highly recommended.

I'll add that most of the places I've fished offshore are miles and miles out of cell phone range. Having emergency communications and other safety devices accessible is essential, especially your life jackets, if you run into issues.

Let’s move to PFDs. There are different types of classification based on the types of waters or the kind of boating activity. Could you describe these classifications?

Justin: I will break this down into a simple sliding scale based on safety and comfort. There are five different types of PFDs:

Type 1 PFD—is an offshore vest.
Type 2 PFD—is a horseshoe vest made for emergency scenarios. These are made of nylon, which is prone to mold and mildew if not taken care of. They're not super comfortable, but they keep you afloat and are made to keep you alive in an emergency.
Type 3 PFD—geared towards water sports like tubing. They're generally made of neoprene and more comfortable than your Type 1 and 2. They're not made for an emergency, but they're suitable for people who don’t necessarily need that much flotation.
Type 4 PFD—are throwable (covered earlier in the article).
Type 5 PFD— are special use vests. These are inflatables, similar to an airbag around your body.

It’s important to note flotation belts are not considered a flotation device for the USCG requirements.

How about PFDs for kids?

Matthew: When it comes to safety on the water, extra precaution is always recommended with the designs of the PFDs for children:

Infant PFDs are the only PFDs that require a crotch strap to ensure that that flotation device will stay secure to the infant in the proper position while they're in the water. The infant flotation devices also require a larger neck pad like Type 2 PFDs which keep the face out of the water for breathing.
There are multiple options for children above 35 pounds, depending on size, weight, and swimming ability. In every state, children below the state-specified age must wear a life vest at all times.
Choosing a life vest for visibility is especially important for children.

When are inflatable PFDs a good idea, and when are they not?

Justin: One of the most significant issues we see around the industry is that people don't like to wear their life jackets. I think the great thing about inflatables is that they're comfortable, they take up less space on your body, and they’re very cool in terms of being out in the summertime. Some other factors:

They come in manual and auto inflation.
They're great for leisure activities or activities where you'll use your hands a lot, like fishing or sailing.
They’re not good for activities where you'll hit the water, such as tubing or jet skiing.
Manual inflation PFDs only work when you are conscious
These are only considered a legal form of flotation by the USCG when you’re wearing them.

What information can be found on a PFD’s tag?

Justin: When reading the tag of a PFD, you can find the following information:

Its classification type
Size and weight limit information
Chest size limits
US Coast Guard approval number

Any tips for determining PFD fit?

Matthew: The best visual test you can do for determining the fit of a life jacket is to look to see if it slides up in the water towards the wearer’s head and ears instead of on their chest. Out of the water, you can pull up on the shoulder parts and make sure the life jacket is staying put instead of riding up around their head.

For a final non-safety question, where are your favorite places to boat?

Matthew: I think that for me, it will forever be on the Cape. I grew up in Boston and lived there for 21 years. I boated on the Cape probably every year. Many of my friends back in Boston had houses there, and they'd go all the time, so I was lucky always to get invited and consistently fish out there. There is just something about Boston summers. There's something different about being on the ocean out there.

Justin: I grew up as a boater and lived for five years in south Georgia near Savannah. Where I lived was saltwater creeks right there on the ocean. There weren't many people, just a lot of birds, a lot of dolphins, a lot of fish, and beautiful scenery. So, for me, that’s where I kind of fell in love with boating, and that will always be my favorite place to boat.