W. Va. Code R. § 58-12-10

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 58-12-10 - Commercial Whitewater Equipment

10.1. Commercial whitewater outfitters and commercial watercraft clinics shall provide to each passenger transported in a watercraft a vest-type personal flotation device of an appropriate design and fit for each activity and person as defined and approved by the United States Coast Guard pursuant to 33 C.F.R. § 175.13 2014 et seq. as authorized by 46 U.S.C. § 4302, which shall be worn and securely fastened by passengers while underway during commercial whitewater expeditions and commercial watercraft clinics.

10.2. Commercial watercraft clinic instructors, guide trainees, trip leaders, and trip guides shall wear a vest-type personal flotation device of an appropriate design and fit for each activity and person as defined and approved by the United States Coast Guard pursuant to 33 C.F.R. § 175.13 2014 et seq. as authorized by 46 U.S.C. § 4302, which shall be worn and securely fastened while underway during commercial whitewater expeditions, training trips, and commercial watercraft clinics.

10.3. The minimum raft size that may be used on any river is an eight foot, two compartmentalized raft. The size of raft shall be measured from the outside tube surface in the bow to the outside tube surface in the stern when fully inflated, plus or minus six inches.

10.4. Gauley River. At flows more than 1,000 cubic feet per second between Summersville Dam and Sweet's Falls, the minimum watercraft size shall be a 12 foot, four compartmentalized watercraft.

10.5. Every commercial whitewater expedition shall be equipped with the following:

10.5.1. At least one first aid kit per trip.

10.5.2. At the beginning of each trip, each trip leader or trip guide shall possess at least one throw line or throw bag not less than 40 feet in length. One professional quality rescue rope which is 70 feet in length shall be carried on each commercial whitewater expedition. The 70 foot rescue rope may be counted as one of the required throw lines or throw bag.

10.6. All watercraft used by a commercial whitewater outfitter or outfitter shall be marked with its name, initials, or an easily recognizable logo, and shall be plainly visible and legible from 100 feet.

W. Va. Code R. § 58-12-10