Vds law

[rtark]

Someone mentioned people getting tickets for not having a visual distress signal onboard, which I had never heard of before. I checked it out and sure enough it is a law whether I agree with it or not. I went to wallyworld and they never heard of the flags (for daytime only), they only had the flare guns at close to $40 compared to the flag at $7. Finally found the flag at a marine shop. If someone was in distress, which would you notice first, someone waving thier arms and screaming "HELP" or someone waving that stupid little flag? Anyway, I was told that there was an ambitous new woman in charge at Cof E enforcing the little known law. BTW, it only applies to 16' or longer boats on federal controlled lakes. 15' under boats never need rescued I guess. I got a boat handbook and didn't find the rule about having a 50' rope tied to the throw device but have been told it is a new law also. See how far you can throw a cushion with 50' of tangled rope tied on. Hope this will save someone a fine.

[arcountryboy]

I ran the flare's on my 27' party barge. I had a inboard 4 cylinder and one night it quit on Quachita. My phone worked and I knew the general area where I was at, but not exactly, all my lights and everything else electric was out. Game and Fish made it close, I saw the lights of their boat in the distance and fired off a flare. They started my way but were off by a few hundred yards. I fired the second one and they came right to me. It was about 30 degree's when we got to my truck and my wife and I only had meduim coats on. Best 40 bucks I ever spent.


By the way, they were on my boat a little over a year before I ever fired them. I'll also say you tend to think about it before you pull the trigger. You are holding a plastic pistol the size of a .38 that has what looks like a 12 guage shell in it!!

[rtark]

Quachita is a real good place to not know where you are. Been there done that.

[soswine]

Guess I better go get a flare.

[blairarnold]

Well, I swan to use a southeast expression. The things I don't know.

[LMBarnett]

If'n I read the regs corretly, then a spotlight also works as a daytime visual distress signal. I keep one in my boat at all times anyways, due to the fact that I fish and time gets away from me and then its almost dark by the time I get back to the landing.

I also keep a whistle tied around the tiller handle on the motor.

[blairarnold]

If a spot light is okay, then I'm slick.

[LMBarnett]

I was wrong on the spotlight, it is a night se only, but I am ok anyways, I am under 16', as long as they trust the man. plate.

VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS

[Fishtaco]

the published regulations on the AGFC web site have not changed for visual distress signals. Am I missing something?

• VDSs are not required on Arkansas state waters, but it is strongly recommended that you carry VDSs on board.
• All vessels used on federally controlled waters must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-approved visual distress signals. These vessels are required to carry night signals when operating between sunset and sunrise.
• Most vessels on federally controlled waters must carry day signals also; exceptions to the requirement for day signals are:
  • Recreational vessels that are less than 16 feet in length
  • Non-motorized, open sailboats that are less than 26 feet in length
  • Manually propelled vessels
• VDSs are either pyrotechnic (smoke and flames) or non-pyrotechnic (non-combustible). If pyrotechnic VDSs are used, a minimum of three must be carried in the vessel.

Federally controlled waters are basically those under the Corps of Engineers offices;

Federally Controlled Lakes and Reservoirs

Beaver DeQueen Millwood Blue Mountain Dierks Nimrod Bull Shoals Gillham Norfork Catherine Greers Ferry Ouachita Dardanelle Greeson Ozark DeGray Hamilton Table Rock Federally Controlled Navigable Streams

• Arkansas River from the mouth to the Oklahoma state line
• Black River from the mouth to the Missouri state Line
• Mississippi River from the Louisiana state line to the Missouri state line
• Ouachita River from the mouth to Blakely Dam
• Red River from the Louisiana state line to the Oklahoma state line
• White River from the mouth to Dam No. 1 at Batesville

West Marine sells a 4 pack of Red Hand held flares for about 25 dollars that meet the day and night time VSD requirements. Replace your flares every three years, as they are only good for 42 months from date of manufacture. If they are older than that, then you're not complying with the regulation.

[NIMROD]

I found that crappy plastic flag at Wally World in Russelville for about 5 bucks. I got a rope for my seat cushion too. What's next ? Maybe a freakin seat belt ?:p lol lol