8" Bell Required ?

[Loquat]

Dear All,
I am wondering about the CG regulation of having a bell on the boat. I have a 40' boat, do I have to have a 8" bell?

[Charlie]

Yes I got a ticket for that. Nothing ever came of it but I did get a ticket. You also need to have a copy of the CG regs. I had a dated copy so I got hit for those two things. I actually had the bell but I was de-winterizing so I couldn't put my hand on it at the time of inspection.

[delmarrey]

Here are the requirements; National Vessel Examination Virtual Vessel Safety Check

[lorenzo123]

So, according to the Rules just posted:
To comply with Navigation Rules and for distress signaling purposes all boats must carry a sound producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a 4-second blast audible for ½ mile. *Boats larger than 39.4 ft. are also required to have a bell (see Navigation Rules.)
*Under a recent change, a vessel 12 meters (39.4 ft) to less than 20 meters (65 ft) is no longer required to carry a bell on board.
The Coast Guard said: "The bottom-line, a bell is no longer required on a vessel less than 20 meters in length. That of course means a bell is not required for those same vessels for successful completion of a VSC."

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by Loquat

Dear All,
I am wondering about the CG regulation of having a bell on the boat. I have a 40' boat, do I have to have a 8" bell?

Not any longer.

"To comply with Navigation Rules and for distress signaling purposes all boats must carry a sound producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a 4-second blast audible for ½ mile. *Boats larger than 39.4 ft. are also required to have a bell (see Navigation Rules.)
*Under a recent change, a vessel 12 meters (39.4 ft) to less than 20 meters (65 ft) is no longer required to carry a bell on board.
The Coast Guard said: "The bottom-line, a bell is no longer required on a vessel less than 20 meters in length. That of course means a bell is not required for those same vessels for successful completion of a VSC."

[CarlF]

As noted in the above list, the requirement for a bell was recently dropped for boats less than 65ft.

The popular inspection "gotcha" for boats over 40ft is the Waste Management Plan (although it seems to be a spotty enforcement). This is not a plaque you get at West Marine but a piece of paper signed by the captain. This site will make you one:

Waste Management Plan

Carl

[knotnow]

Originally Posted by CarlF

As noted in the above list, the requirement for a bell was recently dropped for boats less than 65ft.

The popular inspection "gotcha" for boats over 40ft is the Waste Management Plan (although it seems to be a spotty enforcement). This is not a plaque you get at West Marine but a piece of paper signed by the captain. This site will make you one:

Waste Management Plan

Carl

Ahhh MARPOL. Got questioned on that 2 years ago. Just had a sheet of paper signed by me and said that "Marty" had to handle it. Just need to have rules for where the "stuff" goes and who is in charge "Marty" of it.

[Loquat]

Thank you for WMP.

But do I still need a bell? I do kinda want one... I thought I could mount it on the mizzenmist. What else is it for? It's already a tv antenna and radardome stand?

[knotnow]

Originally Posted by Loquat

Thank you for WMP.

But do I still need a bell? I do kinda want one... I thought I could mount it on the mizzenmist. What else is it for? It's already a tv antenna and radardome stand?

Just make sure you can take the Clapper out if you're next to me.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by CarlF

As noted in the above list, the requirement for a bell was recently dropped for boats less than 65ft.

The popular inspection "gotcha" for boats over 40ft is the Waste Management Plan (although it seems to be a spotty enforcement). This is not a plaque you get at West Marine but a piece of paper signed by the captain. This site will make you one:

Waste Management Plan

Carl

The CG likes to see this one too; Discharge Of Oil Regulations Placard

You can get a 3 different trash ones here are a couple; Regulations Placard
The State of Washington requires a CO2 warning placard too, which they send in the mail with your sticker.

.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Loquat

Thank you for WMP.

But do I still need a bell? I do kinda want one... I thought I could mount it on the mizzenmist. What else is it for? It's already a tv antenna and radardome stand?

If they are mounted up where the sound can travel, they are good for fog warnings but they get corroded easily. Mine is cosmetic in the cockpit so I use a horn blaster. I hope to get a PA system that will do it automatically.

[Adelie]

This issue was discussed during 2010 in some thread or other and there was a distinction between Inland and SOLAS at that time. Has Inland followed SOLAS?

The question also came up as to what horn/whistle/whatever sound was required if the bell was not used while anchored. There is a horn signal in the international rules that is allowed to be used in addition to the bell which seems the best signal to use just with the horn alone.

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

The CG likes to see this one too; Discharge Of Oil Regulations Placard

.

Not sure if this version is still current, but its free to CF readers

[delmarrey]

I don't think a paper version would pass USCG reg. See section (a) Maybe laminated or under plastic/glass?

TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY(CONTINUED)

PART 155_OIL OR HAZARDOUS MATERIALPOLLUTION PREVENTION REGULATIONS FOR VESSELS--Table of Contents

Subpart B_Vessel Equipment

Sec. 155.450 Placard.

(a) A ship, except a ship of less than 26 feet in length, musthave a
placard of at least 5 by 8 inches, made of durable material fixed in a
conspicuous place in each machinery space, or at the bilgeand ballast
pump control station, stating the following:

Discharge of Oil Prohibited

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge
of oil or oily waste into or upon the navigable waters of the
UnitedStates, or the waters of the contiguous zone, or which may
affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under
the exclusive management authority of the United States, if such
discharge causes a film or discoloration of the surface of the water or
causes asludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators
are subject to substantial civil penalties and/or criminal
sanctions including fines and imprisonment.

(b) Existing stocks of placards may be used for the life of
the placard.
(c) The placard required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this sectionmust
be printed in the language or languages understood by the crew.

[CGD 75-124a, 48 FR 45715, Oct. 6, 1983, as amended byCGD 93-054, 58 FR
62262, Nov. 26, 1993]

[bstreep]

Originally Posted by CarlF

As noted in the above list, the requirement for a bell was recently dropped for boats less than 65ft.

The popular inspection "gotcha" for boats over 40ft is the Waste Management Plan (although it seems to be a spotty enforcement). This is not a plaque you get at West Marine but a piece of paper signed by the captain. This site will make you one:

Waste Management Plan

Carl

Not only do you have to have one, everyone on board needs to know where it is. It is part of my 60 second briefing.