The operator of any watercraft on the waters of this State shall be responsible to ensure that such watercraft is equipped as specified in this rule. Nothing in this regulation rule shall be construed to permit the operation of any watercraft on the federal waters in this State unless they conform to all applicable federal laws and regulations pertaining thereto.
In all weather, every watercraft operating on Maine's inland waters between sunset and sunrise shall carry and exhibit the following lights when underway; and during such time no other lights which may be mistaken for those prescribed shall be exhibited. The word visible, in this subsection, when applied to lights, shall mean visible on a dark night with clear atmosphere.
A watercraft proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward, where it can best be seen, a black conical shape, with the apex pointing down. A watercraft of less than 40 feet in length is not required to exhibit this shape, but may do so.
Any watercraft anchored on solely internal waters from sunset to sunrise, may display in lieu of the above navigation lights, a single all-round white light. Exception: manually propelled watercraft shall have ready at hand a lantern or flashlight showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.
All watercraft not propelled by machinery or wind power, including but not limited to rowboats, canoes, rafts, kayaks and paddleboards, which are only operated by hand power, rowed, paddled or navigated by the current, shall have ready at hand a lantern or flashlight showing a white light capable of being exhibited in sufficient time to prevent a collision.
Only watercraft used by a law enforcement officers authorized to enforce this rule or any of the laws of Title 12, MRSA, Chapter 935, are permitted to use or display a distinctive blue colored, pulsating or revolving light for the purposes of enforcing these laws on the water of this State in addition to any other navigational lights required.
Towboats, when towing booms or rafts of wood products on solely internal waters of this State, shall display, in addition to the required lights for the watercraft, a flashing or pulsating amber light on either or both the towboat and the towed raft.
Any watercraft using International Waters between sunset and sunrise must display lights required under International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Colregs 1972). Lights under International Rules may be shown on inland waters.
All watercraft shall carry the following types and numbers of USCG approved PFDs based on the use and length of the watercraft, and the number of occupants of the watercraft, as indicated:
PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES
USE OF BOAT | LENGTH | REQUIRED TYPE OF PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE(S) |
Recreational: Pleasure or Rental, Lease or Charter for noncommercial uses | Less than 16 feet; and all canoes, kayaks and paddleboards regardless of length | A wearable PFD for each person aboard, readily available. |
16 feet or longer | A wearable PFD for each person plus one throwable life saving device immediately available in watercraft. | |
Commercial* Carrying a passenger for hire. | Any length | USCG approved wearable PFD with no less than 22 lbs. (100 N) of inherent buoyancy and turning capability, commonly referred to as a Type I device, of suitable size for each person aboard with at least 31 sq. in. of approved retroreflective material attached on all four sides. |
Commercial Fishing and Commercial Barges | less than 40 feet | A wearable PFD of suitable size, readily available for each person aboard. |
40 feet or longer | A Type 1 wearable PFD of suitable size, readily available for each person aboard. | |
*All Commercial Uses | 26 feet or longer | In addition to the above, a throwable life saving device in the form of a ring buoy, immediately available. |
Minimum Number of B-1 Hand Portable Fire Extinguishers Required
Watercraft length, feet | No fixed system | With approved fixed system |
Under 16 | 1 - B-I | 0 |
16 and over, but under 26 | 1 - B-I | 0 |
26 and over, but under 40 | 2 - B-II | 1 - B-I |
40 and over, but not over 65 | 3 - BI or B-II | 2 - B-I or B-II |
*One B-2 hand portable fire extinguisher may substitute for two B-1 hand portable fire extinguishers. Toxic vaporizing type extinguishers containing carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromethane are not acceptable fire extinguishers.
Fire Extinguisher Classification
Classification Type - Size | Foam (Gallons) | Carbon Dioxide (Pounds) | Dry Chemicals (Pounds) |
B-1 | 1 3/4 | 4 | 2 |
B-2 | 2 1/2 | 15 | 10 |
Every watercraft shall be provided with an efficient whistle and/or other sound producing device as set forth in the table below. Watercraft propelled by outboard motors while competing in authorized races or in incidental use while preparing a watercraft for such a race need not comply with these requirements. No sirens shall be used except on emergency or enforcement watercraft or to give fog signals.
Length of watercraft | Type of device |
Less than 40 feet no bell required | Some means of making efficient sound signals |
40 feet to less than 65 feet no bell required | Whistle audible for 1/2 mile (12-dB) |
65 feet to 330 feet bell required | Gong and whistle audible for 1 mile (130 dB) |
All gasoline engines installed in a watercraft, except outboard motors, shall be equipped with a USCG-approved device to efficiently and safely arrest engine backfire on each carburetor.
Number Marked On Device | Device Description | Accepted for Use | Required to be Carried |
160.021 | Hand-held red flare distress signals. (These signals must have a date of manufacture of October 1, 1980 or later to be acceptable). | Day & Night | 3 |
160.022 | Floating orange smoke distress signals (5 min.). | Day only | 3 |
160.024 | Pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals (37mm) (these signals require use in combination with a suitable approved launching device). | Day & Night | 3 |
160.036 | Rocket propelled parachute red flare distress signals. | Day & Night | 3 |
160.037 | Hand-held orange smoke distress signals. | Day only | 3 |
160.057 | Floating orange smoke distress signals. (15 min.) | Day only | 3 |
060.066 | Red aerial pyrotechnic flare distress signals for boats. (These devices may be either meteor or parachute type and may need an approved suitable launching device.) | Day & Night | 3 |
09- 137 C.M.R. ch. 13, § 05