2013 Virginia Freshwater Fishing & Watercraft Owner's Guide

2013 Fishing Regs & WOG 11-15-12_Layout 1 11/16/12 1:02 PM Page 57carburetors. The backfire flame arrestormust be securely attached to the carburetor.VentilationNo person may operate a boat built afterJuly 31, 1980, that has an inboard gasolineengine unless it is equipped with an operableventilation system that meets USCGstandards.For boats built after April 25, 1940, andbefore August 1, 1980, (with engines usinggasoline as fuel and other fuels having aflashpoint of 110°F. or less) the following isrequired:At least two ventilation ducts fittedwith cowls or their equivalent for thepurpose of properly and efficientlyventilating the bilges of every engineand fuel tank compartment. Thereshall be at least one exhaust ductinstalled so as to extend to the lowerportion of the bilge and at least oneintake duct installed so as to extend toa point at least midway to the bilge orat least below the level of the carburetorair intake.For boats which are built after July 31,1978, but prior to August 1, 1980, there areno requirements for ventilation of the fueltank compartment if there is no electricalsource in the compartment and if the fueltank vents to the outside of the boat.The operator of the vessel is required tokeep the system in operating condition.Sound Producing DevicesThe navigation rules require sound signalsto be made under certain circumstances.Meeting, crossing, and overtaking situationsdescribed in Navigation Rules are examplesof when sound signals are required. Recreationalvessels are also required to sound fogsignals during periods of reduces visibility.Having some means of making an efficientsound signal capable of a 4 second blastaudible for 1 mile is required. A whistle or airhorn is acceptable if your vessel is notequipped with a horn.Muffling DeviceThe exhaust of an internal combustionengine on any motorboat shall be effectivelymuffled. The muffling device shall exhaustat or below the water line or it shall beequipped with mechanical baffles. The useof cutouts is prohibited.Marine Sanitation Devices(MSD)Vessels with installed toilets and marine sanitationdevices shall be in compliance withfederal regulations which set standards forsewage discharges from marine sanitationdevices. Vessels without installed toilets orwithout installed marine sanitation devicesshall not directly or indirectly dischargesewage into state waters. Sewage and otherwastes from self-contained, portable toiletsor other containment devices shall bepumped out at pump-out facilities or carriedashore for treatment in facilities approved bythe Virginia Department of Health. SmithMountain Lake is a “No Discharge Zone.”Pump-Out StationsA complete list of pump-out stations is availableby contacting the Virginia Departmentof Health at 804-864-7473 or online athttp://www.vdh.state.va.us/environmentalhealth/wastewater/marina/pumpoutdata/index.htm .Visual Distress SignalsAll recreational boats 16 feet or greater inlength shall be equipped with visual distresssignaling devices at all times when operatingon coastal waters. This regulation applies toall coastal waters and those rivers 2 miles ormore wide at the mouth and up to the firstpoint the river narrows to less than 2 miles.Boats less than 16 feet, manually propelledboats (rowboats, canoes, kayaks, etc.),and open sailboats under 26 feet with nomotor, are required to carry only night visualdistress signals when operated on coastalwaters at night.Minimum Number of B-I Hand-Portable Fire Extinguishers Required 1Length, feet No Fixed Fire Extinguishing Fixed Fire ExtinguishingSystems in Engine Space System in Engine SpaceUnder 16 1 016 to less than 26 1 026 to less than 40 2 140 to 65 3 21One B-II hand-portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two B-I handportablefire extinguishers.Recreational boaters may carry additionalvisual distress signals over the minimumnumber of VDS required.Note: It is illegal to display a visual distresssignal unless immediate assistance isneeded.If using pyrotechnic signals, must have 3night signals plus 3 day signals or 3 day/nightcombination signals. If using non-pyrotechnicsignals, you must have 1 day signal and 1night signal.Pyrotechnic visual distress signalsmust be:• USCG approved• in serviceable condition• readily accessible.• not expired• Launchers produced before January 1,1981, intended for use with approvedsignals are not required to be USCGapproved.USCG approved Pyrotechnic Visual DistressSignals include:• Pyrotechnic red flares, hand-held oraerial;• Pyrotechnic orange smoke, handheld orfloating;• Launchers for aerial red meteors orparachute flares.Non-pyrotechnic visual distresssignaling devices must:• Meet USCG requirements.• Be in serviceable condition• Be readily accessible.USCG approved Non-pyrotechnic visualdistress signals include:• Orange distress flag with black squareand black ball, for daytime use;• Electric distress light for night use.The following points will be used as the“cutoff points” for enforcement of the visualdistress signal regulations on the coastalwaters in Virginia. These points can be foundon the appropriate nautical chart.1. Entrance to Hampton Roads up to wherethe waterway is reduced to 2 nauticalmiles which is a line drawn between OldPoint Comfort and Fort Wool.2. York River up to where the waterway isreduced to 2 nautical miles which is aline drawn between Sandy Point and TuePoint, which is in the vicinity of TueMarshes Light.3. Mobjack Bay up to, but not including,the Severn, Ware, North and East rivers.4. Entrance to the Piankatank River where57