tight container painted red or orange and prominently marked “Distress Signals” or
“Flares” is recommended.
U.S.C.G.-approved pyrotechnic visual distress signals and associated devices in-
clude pyrotechnic red ares, hand-held or aerial; pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand-held
or oating, or launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute ares.
Non-pyrotechnic devices may be allowed. These include an orange distress ag
(day signal only) or an electric distress light (which is acceptable for night use). Use of
these devices must still meet Coast Guard requirements, information for which is avail-
able online and from the Coast Guard.
Under Inland Navigation Rules, a high intensity white light ashing at regular
intervals from 50-70 times per minute is considered a distress signal. Such devices do
NOT count toward meeting the visual distress signal requirement, however. Regulations
prohibit display of visual distress signals on the water under any circumstances except
when assistance is required to prevent immediate or potential danger to persons on
board a vessel.
All distress signals have distinct advantages. No single device is ideal under all
conditions or suitable for all purposes. Pyrotechnics are universally recognized as excel-
lent distress signals. However, there is potential for injury and property damage if not
properly handled. Particular care should be used in stowage of pyrotechnics if children
will be on board. These devices produce a very hot ame and the residue can cause
burns and ignite ammable materials.
Pistol launched and hand-held parachute ares and meteors have many charac-
teristics of a firearm and must be handled with caution. In some states they are consid-
ered a firearm and prohibited from use.
Check with local authorities regarding the best visual distress signal for use in the
area in which you will be boating.
Navigational Lights
Your MasterCraft boat is equipped with navigational lights.
See the Guide to Individual Models section to determine the
location of the navigational lights on your boat or verify with
your dealer.
Anytime you are moving on the water between sunset
and sunrise you are required to have your navigational lights
operating.
Registration, Numbering and Documentation
Although it might not be immediately obvious as to
how this relates to boating safety, in fact it can be criti-
cal in emergencies. All undocumented vessels equipped
with propulsion machinery must be registered in the
state of principal use. A certificate of number will be
issued upon registering the vehicle. These numbers
must be displayed on your vessel. The owner/operator
of the vessel must carry a valid certificate of number
whenever the vessel is in use. When moving to a new
state of principal use, the certificate is valid for 60 days.
Check with your state boating authority for registration
requirements.
Numbers must be painted or permanently attached to each side of the forward
half of the vessel. The validation stickers must be axed within six inches of the regis-
tration number. With the exception of the vessel fee decal, no other letters or numbers
may be displayed nearby. Lettering must be in plain, vertical block characters of not less
than three (3) inches in height. Spaces or hyphens between letter and number group-
ings must be equal to the width of a letter other than “i” or a number other than “1.”
The owner of a vessel must notify the agency which issued the certificate of
number within fifteen (15) days if the vessel is transferred, destroyed, abandoned, lost,
stolen or recovered, or if the certificate of number is lost, destroyed or the owner’s ad-
dress changed. If the certificate of number becomes invalid for any reason, it must be
surrendered in the manner prescribed to the issuing authority within 15 days.
2013 MasterCraft Owners Manual • Safety Knowledge • Page 1-10
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