Boat Crash Aftermath

[Quillback]

Wow, $285 for no lights (when fishing)? I can see a $50 fine, but $285 is pretty steep.

Over on the Arkansas section on the BBC board some guys are complaining about the AGFC fines, one guy got one of those no light fines while fishing, but fortunately for him it was only $170. Another guy said he got fined for not having water IN HIS BOAT for his dog, didn't matter they were on a lake. Another guy got nailed for not having a throw cushion. You'd better have everything per the book if these guys pull you over, cause they ain't issuing warnings, they're going for the wallet.

[jeb]

That's what they said. I wonder if it depends on who gives the tickets (AGFC, Sheriff, etc)? I've never heard of the water for dogs thing. I'd be making them show me where that rule is. I carry a bowl in my boat for the dogs. Hopefully that would pass.

You're right, they seem to be issuing mostly full on tickets. Must be an enforcement crackdown. Which Beaver does need, IMO.

[Feathers and Fins]

Ive never heard of water for dog either, carry it as a matter of carring about my girl when hunting but I would want them to show me the law, Im betting more to that story... As for the rest of it. GOOD its needed bad.

[Stump bumper]

I always try to obey all regs but missed the one about the fire extinguisher being mounted in the open. I had one under both seats and almost got a ticket. I don't have a flair gun either and believe they are required on Beaver but no one has ever brought it up.

Heck this time of year if you don't have ice and water in the boat you should be locked up for your own good.....

[Feathers and Fins]

Visual Distress Signals (VDSs)

Visual Distress Signals (VDSs) allow vessel operators to signal for help in the event of an emergency. VDSs are classified as day signals (visible in bright sunlight), night signals (visible at night), or both day and night signals.

• VDSs are not required on Arkansas state waters, but it is strongly recommended that you carry VDSs on board.
  

Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals

Orange Smoke

Day Signal

Red Meteor

Day and Night Signal

Red Flare

Day and Night Signal

Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals

Electric Light

Night Signal

Orange Flag

Day Signal

Arm Signal

Although this signal does not meet VDS equipment requirements, wave your arms to summon help if you do not have other distress signals on board.

[Feathers and Fins]

It's the Law: Required Equipment

• Fire Extinguisher Chart
  
• Fire Extinguisher Charge Indicators
  
  Fire Extinguishers
  
  • All vessels on federal waters are required to have a Type B fire extinguisher(s) on board if one or more of the following conditions exist:
    
    • Inboard engine
      
    • Closed compartments where portable fuel tanks may be stored or in which flammable or combustible materials may be stored
      
    • Permanently installed fuel tanks
      

    [*]Type B fires are of flammable liquids like gasoline or oil.

    [*]Although not required, it is strongly recommended that vessels boating on state waters have a Type B fire extinguisher(s) on board.

    [*]Approved types of fire extinguishers are identified by the following marking on the label—"Marine Type USCG Approved"—followed by the type and size symbols and the approval number.

    [*]Extinguishers should be placed in an accessible area—not near the engine or in a compartment, but where they can be reached immediately. Be sure you know how to operate them, and inspect extinguishers regularly to ensure they are in working condition and fully charged.

    Use this chart to determine the size and quantity required for your vessel. Fire Extinguisher Requirements Classification

    (type & size) Foam

    (minimum gallons) Carbon Dioxide

    (minimum pounds) Dry Chemical

    (minimum pounds) B-I 1 1/4 4 2 B-II 2 1/2 15 10 Length of Vessel Without Fixed System With Fixed System* Less than 26 ft. one B-I None 26 ft. to less than 40 ft. two B-I or one B-II one B-I 40 ft. to less than 65 ft. three B-I or one B-II and one B-I two B-I or one B-II * Refers to a permanently installed fire extinguisher system

    Fire Extinguisher Charge Indicators

    Check the charge level of your fire extinguishers regularly. Replace them immediately if they are not fully charged.

    To check this style of extinguisher, depress the green button. If it is fully charged, the green button should pop back out immediately.

    On this style of fire extinguisher, the needle indicator should be in the "full" range. <a class="fineprint" href="http://www.agfc.com/" target="_blank">Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Get Started! Introduction• Home Page• Boater Education Boating Basics Before Going Out• Boat Lengths• Boat Capacity• Fueling a Boat• Fueling a PWC• Prevent Theft• File a Float Plan• Pre-Departure Check• Sample Float Plan On the Water• Encountering Boats• Navigation Rules• Night Navigation• US Aids to Navigation• Lateral Markers• Non-Lateral Markers• Weather Emergencies• VHF Channels• Boat Emergencies• Falling Overboard• Capsizing• Hypothermia• Carbon Monoxide Specifically for PWCs• Steering & Stopping• Ignition Safety Switch• Reboarding a PWC• PWC Courtesy• Protect Environment• Other Considerations It's the Law! Before Going Out• Register Your Boat• Registration Fees• Other Facts• Hull ID Number• Who May Operate• Local Regulations• Enforcement Required Equipment• Life Jackets• Navigation Lights• Fire Extinguishers• Ventilation Systems• Flame Arrestors• Mufflers• Sound Devices• Distress Signals On the Water• Unlawful Operation• Obstructing Navigation• Homeland Security• Alcohol & Drugs• Boating Accidents• Diver-Down Flags• Pollutant Disposal Specifically for PWCs• PWC Requirements• Sharing Your PWC Specifically for Skiing• Towing Skiers Arkansas Info Arkansas Info• Federal Waters• Nuisance Species• Equipment Checklist• Commission Offices

    

    Printable PDF Version

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[fishinwrench]

Wow, $285 for no lights (when fishing)? I can see a $50 fine, but $285 is pretty steep.

Over on the Arkansas section on the BBC board some guys are complaining about the AGFC fines, one guy got one of those no light fines while fishing, but fortunately for him it was only $170. Another guy said he got fined for not having water IN HIS BOAT for his dog, didn't matter they were on a lake. Another guy got nailed for not having a throw cushion. You'd better have everything per the book if these guys pull you over, cause they ain't issuing warnings, they're going for the wallet.

This is what happens when lawmen can't find enough REAL stuff to do. They gotta justify the importance of their job out there or they'll be in the unemployment line or doing lowly security work at a factory somewhere.

Everyone makes a big deal about how wild and unruly the waterways have gotten, and they DEMAND more lawmen patroling...... Then when the lawmen get there in great numbers to address this reported craziness they have to look hard as hell to find anyone doing anything wrong.

Those massive fines for piddly infractions are a result of everyones exaggerated claims of rampant lawlessness.

[Stump bumper]

Not having your lights on could kill me(translation big deal,big fine) swimming with no life jacket and your anchor your problem little fine.

I had to stop carrying a firearm because of coming around corners in the middle of the night and missing people fishing without lights because they thought they were "out of the way".

Sorry for the rant but had enough run ins at 2am with people who always felt they were in the right when THEY WERE THE ONES BREAKING THE LAW and almost got both of us DEAD and a$285 fine is better than ME being dead. I run back in on my GPS track, now how are you going to know where that is when you drop your trolling motor and turn off your lights???? I might have run close to shore to avoid traffic on the way out and I WILL RUN the SAME way back if is DARK.

That might not make sense to anybody else but it is LEGAL and not punishable by DEATH by unlighted boat.

If a $285 fine doesn't worry you idiots like me who run wide open around corners next to shore should. My little 115 doesn't sound like a 225 either......

[kwall]

Way I see it it's those weekend idiots that don't , know, realize or care about the rules -- most of us that are an the water alot know about safety and are considerate of others!!!

Solution : training ,tickets if you show up at a ramp without yur' stuff a ticket issued and yur' sent home , ruin a families 4th real quik, ha' ,ha'

However , could save little juniors life ---

[jeb]

Everyone makes a big deal about how wild and unruly the waterways have gotten, and they DEMAND more lawmen patroling...... Then when the lawmen get there in great numbers to address this reported craziness they have to look hard as hell to find anyone doing anything wrong.

Word is they wrote over 100 tickets. Hardly sounds like they had any problems finding people doing things wrong.