040-22 Wyo. Code R. §§ 22-5 - Watercraft Safety Equipment Requirements

Except as provided in this section, it shall be the responsibility of the operator of the watercraft to ensure that all required safety equipment is aboard the watercraft during operation. If the owner of the watercraft is aboard the watercraft during operation, it shall be the responsibility of the owner and not the operator to ensure that all required safety equipment is aboard the watercraft during operation. In the case of rental watercraft, it shall be the responsibility of the rental boat owner to ensure that all required safety equipment is aboard the watercraft at the time the watercraft is rented.

(a) Every watercraft when underway on the waters of the State from sunset to sunrise shall carry and exhibit lights in accordance with the provisions of this section. From sunset to sunrise, no other light that may be mistaken for those listed in this section shall be used.

(i) Every motorized watercraft of classes A and B shall carry the following lights:

(A) A bright white light aft to be visible three hundred sixty degrees (360°) all around the horizon; and,

(B) A combined lantern in the front of the motorized watercraft and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to show the light from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5°) aft the beam on their respective sides.

(ii) Every motorized watercraft of classes C and D shall carry the following lights:

(A) A bright white light in the front of the motorized watercraft as near the bow at the center axis as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of two hundred twenty-five degrees (225°), and fixed as to show the light one hundred twelve and five tenths degrees (112.5°) on each side of the motorized watercraft from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5°) aft the beam on either side;

(B) A bright white light aft to show three hundred sixty degrees (360°) all around the horizon and higher than the white light forward; and,

(C) On the starboard side, a green light constructed to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of one hundred twelve and five tenths (112.5°) degrees, and fixed as to show the light from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5°) aft the beam on the starboard side. On the port side, a red light constructed to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of one hundred twelve and five tenths degrees (112.5°), and fixed as to show the light from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5°) aft the beam on the port side. Each light shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height set to prevent light from being seen across the bow.

(iii) Every white light referred to in this section shall be visible at a distance of at least two (2) miles and every colored light shall be visible at a distance of one (1) mile.

(iv) Sailboats, when propelled by sail alone, shall exhibit the following lights: On the starboard side, a green light and on the port side a red light to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5°) aft the beam. Sailboats shall also carry at the stern a white light to show the light sixty-seven and five tenths degrees (67.5°) from aft on each side of the watercraft. In a small sailboat if it is not possible on account of bad weather or other sufficient causes for the light to be fixed, sailboats shall carry ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show a white light that shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid collision. Sailboats less than forty (40) feet in length may carry a combined light in lieu of separate side lights.

(v) All manually propelled watercraft operated between sunset and sunrise shall have ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show a white light that shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid collision.

(vi) All watercraft at anchor or adrift between sunset and sunrise, unless anchored at a designated site such as a marina, shoreline, etc., shall display in the front of the watercraft or where it can best be seen a white light to show all around the horizon and visible for two (2) miles.

(b) Every gasoline engine installed in a motorized watercraft after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, shall be equipped with an efficient means of backfire flame control. Installations made before November 19, 1952, need not meet the detailed requirements of this subsection and may be continued in use as long as they are in good and serviceable condition. The following are acceptable means of backfire flame control for gasoline engines:

(i) A backfire flame arrester approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The flame arrester shall be suitably secured to the air intake with flame tight connections;

(ii) An engine air and fuel intake system that provides adequate protection from propagation of backfire flame to the atmosphere equivalent to that provided by an approved flame arrester. A gasoline engine that has such an air and fuel intake system and that is to be operated without a U.S. Coast Guard approved flame arrester shall be labeled to meet requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard; and,

(iii) Any attachment to the carburetor or location of the engine air intake by means of which flames caused by engine backfire shall be dispersed to the atmosphere outside the motorized watercraft in such a way that the flames shall not endanger the motorized watercraft, persons on board, nearby watercraft or structures. All attachments shall be of metal with flame-tight connections and firmly secured to withstand vibration, shock and engine backfire. Such installations do not require formal U.S. Coast Guard approval, but shall be accepted by law enforcement officers on the basis of this subsection.

(c) All motorized watercraft, except open boats, shall have at least two (2) ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or their equivalent for the efficient removal of explosive or flammable gases from the bilges of every engine and fuel tank compartment. There shall be at least one (1) exhaust duct installed so as to extend from the open atmosphere to the lower portion of the bilges and at least one (1) intake duct installed so as to extend to a point at least midway to the bilge or at least below the level of the carburetor air intake. The cowls shall be located and trimmed for maximum effectiveness to prevent displaced fumes from being recirculated. As used in this subsection, the term "open boat" means those motorized watercraft that have all engine and fuel tank compartments and other spaces in which explosive or flammable gases and vapors could form open to the atmosphere so as to prevent the entrapment of such gases and vapors within the motorized watercraft.

(d) Motorized watercraft shall be provided with an efficient sound producing device as set forth in this subsection:

Class of Motorized Watercraft	Type of Device
A & B	Mouth, hand or power operated device capable of producing a blast of two (2) seconds or more duration and audible for at least one-half (1/2) mile.
C	Hand or power operated device capable of producing a blast of two (2) seconds or more duration and audible for at least one (1) mile.
D	Power operated device capable of producing a blast of two (2) seconds or more duration and audible for a distance of at least one (1) mile.

(e) All watercraft shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of a suitable size for each person on board. Wearable personal flotation devices shall be used in accordance with any U. S. Coast Guard approval label requirements. All U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices shall be readily accessible, in good serviceable condition and shall not be waterlogged, torn, or have straps, buckles, zippers or ties broken or missing.

(i) Watercraft sixteen (16) feet and over in length shall have a minimum of one (1) U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable device (unless otherwise provided by this regulation), on board the watercraft, in addition to a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of a suitable size for each person on board. Watercraft sixteen (16) feet and over in length being utilized in Class II and above whitewater are exempt from having a minimum of one (1) U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable device if the watercraft has a safety throw rope. Class II whitewater means novice straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels that are evident without scouting; occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers; swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed; rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated Class II.

(ii) All persons aboard personal watercraft and all persons being towed by or riding in the wake of a watercraft shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of a suitable size while engaged in such activity. All persons utilizing water sport toys are exempt from the requirement of carrying a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device unless the water sport toy is being towed by a watercraft.

(iii) Requirement For Life Jacket Wear By Children.

(A) No person shall operate a watercraft underway with any child aboard twelve (12) years old or younger unless each child is either wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device or is riding in an enclosed cabin.

(f) Operators of motorized watercraft shall display a fluorescent orange flag, at least twelve (12) inches by twelve (12) inches in size, above the motorized watercraft anytime persons towed on water-skis, water sport toys, or other contrivances are down in the water to warn other watercraft operators of the situation. The operator of the motorized watercraft shall ensure the flag is displayed in such a manner that it is visible three hundred sixty degrees (360°) around the motorized watercraft and to the person in the water.

(g) Fire extinguishers.

(i) Fire extinguishers shall be carried in all watercraft of closed construction.

(ii) Dry chemical fire extinguishers utilized on watercraft which do not exhibit gauges or devices indicating the amount of pressure in the extinguisher shall be weighed and display a tag that indicates the extinguisher has been weighed within the immediately preceding six (6) months. If the weight of a fire extinguisher is one-quarter (1/4) ounce less than that stamped on the container, the extinguisher does not meet the requirements of this section and shall be recharged.

(iii) Fire extinguishers shall be readily accessible aboard the watercraft and in such condition as to be ready for immediate and effective use.

(iv) Fire extinguishers shall be U.S. Coast Guard or Underwriters Laboratory (U.L.) approved. Fire extinguishers are classified by number and letter or letter and Roman numeral according to the type of fire they shall be expected to extinguish and the size of the extinguisher. The "letter" indicates the type of fire:

(A) "A" is for fires of ordinary combustible materials;

(B) "B" is for gasoline, oil and grease fires; and,

(C) "C" is for electrical fires.

(v) Fire extinguisher requirements for watercraft are as follows:

(A) Fire extinguishers approved for watercraft shall be portable of either 5-B or 20-B classification in good and serviceable condition that are stamped with their date of manufacture. A portable fire extinguisher older than twelve (12) years from the date of manufacture stamped on the container shall be considered expired and removed from service.

(B) Watercraft less than twenty-six (26) feet in length. At least one (1) 5-B type approved portable fire extinguisher is required or the watercraft shall have an approved fixed fire extinguishing system installed in the machinery spaces.

(I) This requirement shall not apply to outboard watercraft less than twenty-six (26) feet in length if the construction of such watercraft shall not permit the entrapment of explosives or flammable gasses or vapors.

(C) Watercraft twenty-six (26) feet to less than forty (40) feet in length. At least two (2) 5-B type approved portable fire extinguishers are required or at least one (1) 20-B type approved portable fire extinguisher is required. If an approved fixed system is installed, one (1) 5-B type is required.

(D) Watercraft forty (40) feet to less than sixty-five (65) feet in length. At least three (3) 5-B type approved portable fire extinguishers are required or at least one (1) 5-B type plus one (1) 20-B type approved portable fire extinguisher are required. If an approved fixed system is installed, two (2) 5-B types are required.

(E) Aboard watercraft model year 2017 and older, B-I type fire extinguishers in good and serviceable condition may be substituted for 5-B fire extinguishers, and B-II type fire extinguishers in good and serviceable condition may be substituted for 20-B fire extinguishers.

(h) Engine cut-off switches.

(i) No person shall operate a motorized watercraft less than twenty-six (26) feet in length on plane or above displacement speed without utilizing an engine cut-off switch, unless:

(A) The main helm of the watercraft is within an enclosed cabin; or

(B) The watercraft was not equipped with an engine cut-off switch by the manufacturer.

Notes

040-22 Wyo. Code R. §§ 22-5

Amended, Eff. 9/6/2016. Amended, Eff. 8/15/2018. Amended, Eff. 9/3/2021. Amended, Eff. 9/8/2023.