Maritime and Marine US Coast Guard Regulations and Licensing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What safety equipment is federally required on all recreational vessels?
- US-approved PFDs for each person, fire extinguisher, visual distress signals, and sound-producing device (Correct answer)
- Life raft, EPIRB, and radar reflector for all vessels
- VHF radio, GPS, and compass on all vessels
- First aid kit, anchor, and navigation lights on all vessels
Correct answer: US-approved PFDs for each person, fire extinguisher, visual distress signals, and sound-producing device
Federal law requires USCG-approved PFDs for each person aboard, fire extinguisher(s), visual distress signals (for certain waters), and a sound-producing device.
Question 2: What is required before discharging any oil or oily waste overboard from a vessel in US waters?
- It is prohibited — no discharge of oil is permitted in US navigable waters under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Correct answer)
- A permit from the EPA is required for controlled discharge
- Discharge is permitted if more than 3 miles offshore in less than 1 ppm concentration
- Discharge is permitted with prior notification to the Coast Guard
Correct answer: It is prohibited — no discharge of oil is permitted in US navigable waters under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) prohibits any discharge of oil into US navigable waters that may cause a visible sheen.
Question 3: What is the USCG requirement for a Type IV throwable PFD on recreational vessels?
- Required on all vessels 16 feet or longer in addition to wearable PFDs (Correct answer)
- Required only on commercial vessels carrying passengers
- Required on vessels operating beyond 3 miles offshore
- Optional additional equipment with no specific length requirement
Correct answer: Required on all vessels 16 feet or longer in addition to wearable PFDs
Federal regulations require one Type IV throwable PFD (ring buoy or seat cushion) aboard all vessels 16 feet or longer in addition to wearable PFDs.
Question 4: Under the MARPOL Annex V regulations applicable in the US, what is prohibited from discharge at sea?
- Plastics and certain garbage depending on location from shore (Correct answer)
- Untreated sewage within 3 nautical miles
- All ballast water discharge
- Bilge water with any oil content
Correct answer: Plastics and certain garbage depending on location from shore
MARPOL Annex V prohibits discharge of all plastics at sea; other garbage restrictions depend on distance from land.
Question 5: When must a vessel display a yellow quarantine flag (Q flag) upon entering US waters from a foreign port?
- Before receiving clearance from US Customs and Border Protection (Correct answer)
- Only if someone aboard is ill or potentially infected
- When carrying controlled substances requiring inspection
- Whenever transiting through foreign national waters
Correct answer: Before receiving clearance from US Customs and Border Protection
The yellow Q flag signals that the vessel has arrived from a foreign port and requests customs clearance; it must be flown until cleared by CBP.
Question 6: What is the No Discharge Zone (NDZ) designation for certain US waters?
- Areas where no treated or untreated vessel sewage may be discharged (Correct answer)
- Zones where no oil discharge is permitted
- Areas restricted to vessels with special environmental permits
- Zones where ballast water exchange is prohibited
Correct answer: Areas where no treated or untreated vessel sewage may be discharged
No Discharge Zones (NDZs) are specially designated waters where the EPA has determined that vessel sewage — even treated — must not be discharged.
Maritime and Marine US Coast Guard Regulations and Licensing 2
What safety equipment is federally required on all recreational vessels?