NAO 217-103

MANAGEMENT OF NOAA SMALL BOATS

Issued 07/24/91; Effective 06/20/91

SECTION 1. PURPOSE.

.01This Order sets guidelines and procedures for operating National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-owned small boats, or motorboats, not included or carried on NOAA vessels.

.02 This Order establishes required inspections and operating standards and procedures to be followed by NOAA Program Managers and all NOAA elements operating such small boats.

SECTION 2. SCOPE/RESPONSIBILITY.

.01 Overall responsibility for the safe operation and maintenance of NOAA motorboats is vested with each Line Office Director and appropriate field manager (laboratory director, field station chief, field party chief, etc.) in the general geographic area where the motorboat is regularly berthed or being operated.

.02 The Office of NOAA Corps Operations (NC) has no responsibility for motorboats covered by this Order except for the routine inspections. However, NC will provide advice or assistance upon receipt of a written request from the Line Office Director or field manager.

SECTION 3. GENERAL.

.01 Classification, Color, and Identification.

a. Classification of Motorboats. In accordance with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) motorboat classifications, NOAA motorboats are classified as follows:

1. Motorboat Class A: Less than 16 feet overall length;

2. Motorboat Class I: 16 feet but less than 26 feet;

3. Motorboat Class II: 26 feet but less than 40 feet;

4. Motorboat Class III: 40 feet but not more than 65 feet; and

5. Watercraft in excess of 65 feet but not under the management control of NC such as floating laboratories, cranes, etc. shall be treated as Class III motorboats in program operations under this Order.

b. Motorboat Color Schemes. Color schemes shall be at the discretion of the program manager, who shall give consideration to NOAA's Visual Identification System and to the use of high visibility paints on distinctive features including firefighting and lifesaving apparatus.

c. Identification of NOAA Motorboats. Identification shall be accomplished as outlined below:

1. Lettering shall identify NOAA and the Line or Program Office, for example:

NOAA - F (Fisheries)

NOAA - C (Ocean Survey)

NOAA - CZ (Coastal Zone)

2. Letters shall be block shaped.

3. Letters shall be of a color, usually black, to contrast with background hull color.

4. Letters shall be displayed on both bows beneath motorboat name or other identifying marks, if any.

5. At the discretion of the program manager, identifying motorboat name and/or numbers may be added on the bow or transom.

6. Letters shall be sized as follows:

(a) Motorboat Class A: 3 inches

(b) Motorboat Class I: 3 inches

(d) Motorboat Class III: 6 inches

7. On small boats which have cabins, NOAA logos shall be placed on both the port and starboard side of the cabin at a location which is least obstructed from a clear broadside view. Size of the decal shall be the largest size appropriate to the surface available.

.02 Effect on Existing Motorboat SHENEHON and all Newly Acquired Vessels. These NOAA motorboats should now be lettered in accordance with this Order and any former numbers discontinued.

SECTION 4. POLICY.

.01 Transportation of Non-Government Personnel. When prearranged and approved, non-Government personnel may be transported on NOAA vessels as passengers. Approvals will be granted only in those instances where it is found to be clearly in the interest of the Government, and only when such vessels are being used for official purposes and such passengers will not interfere with NOAA operations. The vessel operator may authorize passage in emergencies involving the protection of life and property. The use of NOAA Form 22-1, Release from Claim for Injury or Death, is no longer required.

.02 Operators' Licenses. All operators of NOAA Class III motorboats must be currently licensed or qualified as follows:

a. NOAA Class III Motorboats.

1. Commissioned or Warrant Officers of the Uniformed Services who have qualified as Officer of the Deck (Underway) and who have exercised this qualification during the past five (5) years may be considered as having qualifications equivalent to the USCG licensed operators.

2. Other than officers mentioned in Section 4.02a.1. of this Order, all designated full-time or part-time NOAA motorboat operators must possess a valid USCG license for the service intended.

(a) A full-time motorboat operator is one whose major duties, or only duties, involve operating NOAA motorboats.

(b) A part-time operator is one whose position description includes motorboat operation as a minor portion of the duties assigned.

b. NOAA Class A, I, or II Motorboats. Occasional operators of NOAA Class A, I, or II motorboats are encouraged to obtain proper qualification through participation in USCG Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron (USPS) training courses. The Program Manager may require more specific requirements for certification of occasional operators. This occasional operator category includes personnel who may sometimes operate a motorboat in the performance of duties but who do not have this duty specifically included in the position description.

.03 Communications, Equipment, and Inspection Requirements.

a. Communications. The minimum NOAA requirement for communications equipment is as follows:

1. Motorboat Class III - VHF/FM Single Side Band transceiver for vessels operating independently at distances greater than 20 miles from shore; otherwise, same requirement as for a Class II motorboat.

2. Motorboat Class II - VHF/FM transceiver with bridge-to-bridge capability.

3. Motorboat Classes A and I - None.

4. The use of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is recommended for motorboat Classes II and III and highly recommended for overnight or extended cruises in remote areas. EPIRB's are required for Class III motorboats operating independently greater than twenty (20) miles from shore.

b. Equipment Requirements. A table of required operating and safety equipment for motorboats of all classes can be found at the end of the attached NOAA Motorboat Inspection Program Guidelines.

c. Inspection Requirements. Inspection of NOAA motorboats is intended to promote safe material and operating conditions for operating units.

1. Class III motorboats shall receive a triennial inspection by the NC Fleet Inspection Team. Inspection criteria for these triennial inspections shall be those listed in the NOAA Motorboat Inspection Program Guidelines formulated by the Office of NOAA Corps Operations and agreed upon by the various Line Offices. A copy of the present "NOAA Motorboat Inspection Program Guidelines" is attached.

2. On an annual basis, the Program Manager or designee must arrange for inspection:

(a) Annual inspections shall be those applied by the USCG Auxiliary in their Courtesy Motorboat Examination Program. The USCG Auxiliary has been contacted and has agreed to conduct a courtesy examination upon request. Arrangements for such examinations should be made with the local USCG Auxiliary Office.

(b) Non-mandatory guidance criteria may be found in "Safety Standards for Small Craft" published by the American boat and Yacht Council -- see especially Sections E (Electrical) and P (Machinery).

3. In those years when vessels are inspected by the NC Fleet Inspection Team, the annual inspection by the USCG Auxiliary may be omitted.

SECTION 5. PROCEDURES.

All use of NOAA motorboats shall be documented by a prefiled cruise plan giving, as a minimum, the vessel name, date and time of departure, intended destination or working area, estimated date of return or arrival, number and names of persons in the party, and the name of the person in charge. Other significant facts may be included as desired. The program manager or the person in charge should tender the plan in advance to the next level of supervision. For voyages of less than twelve (12) hours, the plan may be telephoned or radioed in. For voyages of greater than twelve (12) hours duration, the cruise plan must be a written plan. It should establish a definite tracking and communications procedure that requires the vessel to report its position and operations at least daily.

SECTION 6. EFFECT ON OTHER ISSUANCES.

This Order supersedes NOAA Directives Manual (NDM) 17-16, dated August 22, 1980.

Signed,
Director, Office of Administration

Attachments

Office of Primary Interest:

Office of NOAA Corps Operations

Resource Management Staff (NCx4)

APPENDIX I

NOAA MOTORBOAT INSPECTION PROGRAM GUIDELINES

A. Introduction.

1. The NOAA Small Boat Inspection Program is designed to set standards at an acceptable level of safety for NOAA motorboats of 40 feet but not more than 65 feet in length. Program requirements are based upon the Motorboat Act of 1940, the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971, and upon the American Boat and Yacht Council publication "Safety Standards for Small Craft."

B. Program Requirements.

1. Inspection Responsibility. NOAA small boats of 40 feet but not more than 65 feet in length will undergo triennial inspections conducted by representatives of the Fleet Inspection Staff of the Office of NOAA Corps Operations (NC). These boats will be examined to determine whether they meet the minimum standards as outlined in these guidelines.

2. Scheduling of Inspections. Prior to each planned motorboat inspection, the NC Fleet Inspection Staff will contact individual vessel operators and agree upon a mutually acceptable date and time of inspection. Approximately 1 month before the agreed upon inspection date, written notification of the intended inspection shall be forwarded to the Line Office Director responsible for the vessel. A copy of the inspection announcement along with other pertinent information as listed below will be forwarded to the vessel operator.

3. Inspection Procedure.

a. Checkoff List. An inspection checkoff list, detailing areas and items to be inspected, will be forwarded to the vessel operator prior to the Inspector's arrival on board. It is felt that in this way, vessel operating personnel will know what to expect and will be able to prepare their boat for inspection. A checkoff list can be obtained from the Office of NOAA Corps Operations upon request.

b. Post-inspection Critique. Following the completion of the on-board inspection, the Inspector will brief the vessel operator on the findings of the inspection.

c. Inspection Report. A written report of the findings of the inspection will be sent to the appropriate Line Office Director. This report will detail areas of deficiency and will consist of only those items previously discussed in the Post-inspection Critique.

d. Response. The Line Office Director will file a written response indicating corrective action taken or anticipated with respect to items listed in the inspection report. This response will be forwarded to the Director, Office of NOAA Corps Operations with a copy to the Fleet Inspection Officer (NCx5).

C. Inspection Criteria.

Vessels and their equipment will be inspected according to the following criteria.

1. Hulls. The material condition and watertight integrity of vessel hulls, weather decks, and watertight bulkheads shall be maintained in the condition for which they were originally intended. Any modification, penetration, or repair of these areas shall include adequate measures to ensure that the vessel's original condition of watertight integrity is retained.

a. Hull Fittings. Watertight doors and hatches and their associated equipment shall be kept in a state of preservation which ensures their suitability for the maintenance of watertight integrity.

b. Ventilation Ducts and Gooseneck Vents. Ventilation ducts and gooseneck vents of greater than 2-1/2-inch diameter which penetrate the weather deck shall be provided with a positive means of closure to prevent flooding of the vessel's interior. Covers and their fastening devices shall be attached to or stowed immediately adjacent to each such vent opening.

2. Propulsion and Electrical Installations. The scope of the small boat inspection includes propulsion and electrical installations. These items shall be inspected for conformity to the standards set forth in the American Boat and Yacht Council publication "Safety Standards for Small Craft," Chapters P and E.

3. Equipment. The table below enumerates the minimum required equipment that must be on board before any small boat is operated. The table is an extract from NC Instruction 5100.1A, Safety Standards for Ships of the NOAA Fleet, and covers all classes of motorboats. Although only Class III motorboats are required to be inspected as per this directive, all elements operating the other classes of small boats may find the table useful in equipping their boats to better ensure the safety of operating personnel. This table of required equipment is not intended to prevent the placement of additional equipment on board which might be deemed necessary by program personnel.

a. Emergency Equipment. All lifesaving and firefighting equipment shall be of United States Coast Guard approved type.

b. Other Equipment. Other Equipment specified in the Equipment Table shall be U.S. Coast Guard approved, if available. Exception: Types of equipment in which U.S. Coast Guard standards do not exist.

APPENDIX II
REQUIRED SMALL BOAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT

EQUIPMENT	CLASS A	CLASS 1	CLASS 2	CLASS 3
Anchor (with suitable 1/2-in chain lead)	7-1/2 lb with 6-ft chain lead	15 lb with 8-ft chain lead	25 lb with 10-ft chain lead	35 lb with 15-ft chain lead
Anchor Line	7/16 inch	1/2 inch	5/8 inch	3/4 inch
Portable Fire Extinguishers (no fixed machinery space fire system.	At least one B-I approved hand-held extinguisher. *		At least two B-I or one B-II approved hand-held extinguisher.	At least three B-I or one B-I plus one B-II approved hand-held extinguisher. *
NOTE: B-I type approved hand portable fire extinguishers contain: Foam - 1-1/4 to 2-1/3 gals.; CO₂ - 4 to 15 lbs.; Dry Chemical - 2 to 10 lbs. B-II type approved hand-held portable fire extinguishers contain: Foam - 2-1/2 gals.; CO₂ - 15 lbs.; Dry Chemical - 10 to 20 lbs.
Backfire Flame Arrestor and Drip Pan	One approved device on each carburetor of all installed gasoline engines (not outboards).
Ventilation	At least two ventilators fitted with cowls or their equivalent for every engine or fuel tank compartment of boats decked over using gasoline or other fuel of a flash point less than 100 degrees F. Boats of such construction will also be provided with a powered bilge exhaust blower which has an arc resistant motor and is wired independently of the ignition starting system.
Personal Flotation	One Coast Guard-approved type I, II, or III life preserver or buoyant vest for each person aboard.	One Coast Guard-approved Type life preserver for each person aboard.
NOTE: It is highly recommended that all small boats operating independently in remote areas or offshore in waters beyond 32 degrees north or south latitude in the Atlantic or 35 degrees north or south latitude in all other waters be equipped with survival suits in addition to (but not in place of) the personal flotation devices listed above.
Ring Life Buoys/Buoyant Cushions	One, either ring life buoy,or buoyant cushion.		Two ring life buoys.	Two ring life buoys, one with water light.
Lifeboat, Raft, Float or Buoyant Apparatus	None	None	None	One, with capacity to accommodate 100% of personnel aboard. **
Compass, Magnetic	None	None	None	One (with current compass deviation
EQUIPMENT	CLASS A	CLASS 1	CLASS 2	CLASS 3
Emergency Tiller	None	One (See note)	One	One
NOTE: An emergency tiller is not required on those small boats which can be effectively rowed or paddled. A sweep oar may be effective as an emergency tiller.
Oars/Paddles, or other secondary means of propulsion	One set	One set	Not required unless determined to be feasible regarding a particular small boat.
Lights, Navigation	Forward: combination red and green 20 pt.; visible 1 mile Stern: white all around light; visible 2 miles		Forward: white 20 pt.; visible 3 mi. Side Lights: red and green, 10 pt,; visible 2 mi. Or: red and green combination, 20 pt,; visible 2 mi. Stern: white, 12 pt,; visible 2 mi.
Whistle/Horn	One hand, mouth, or power-operated whistle or horn, audible at least 1/2 mile		One hand or power-operated, audible at least 1/2 mile	One power-operated, audible at least 1/2 mile
Bell	None	None	One, which, when struck, produces a clear, bell-like tone.	One, which, when struck, produces a clear, bell-like tone. the bell shall be at least 8 inches in diameter.
Bilge Pump	Hand Bailer	Hand Bailer or one suction hand operated	One - suction type, hand operated One - suction type, power operated
Pyrotechnics, Signalling	None	Three hand-held combination smoke/flares	One hand-held rocket flare	Six hand-held combination smoke/flares Three hand-held rocket flares.
First-Aid Kit	One	One	One	One
NOTE: Contents of first-aid kits should be adequate for type of operation and skill and training of personnel expected to administer aid.
Radio	None	None	VHF/FM transceiver	SSB transceiver **
EQUIPMENT	CLASS A	CLASS 1	CLASS 2	CLASS 3
EPIRB's	None	None	None	One **
Visual Distress	None, except boats of any size must carry visual distress signals suitable for night use if operating after sunset.	Three red hand-held flares suitable for day or night use, or; Three hand-held orange smoke signals suitable for daytime use and three red hand-held flares suitable for day or night use. Class 2 small boats shall also carry at least one hand-held, rocket propelled red parachute flare.		Six hand-held, rocket-propelled red parachute flares
NOTE: Pyrotechnics shall be stored in protective waterproof containers.

* When an approved fixed fire extinguishing system is installed, one less B-I type extinguisher is required.

** Indicates requirement for boats operating independently of support vessels at distances greater than 20 miles from shore.