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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

329.0. "Type I EPIRB requirement" by DNEAST::OKERHOLM_PAU () Tue Apr 04 1989 09:11

    	I just got a flyer from Boat US and they had an article about
    EPIRB's in it. It reinforced my recollection of a change in the
    federal laws which now require that all commercial fishing boats
    operating more than 3 miles off shore have one on board. (Interesting
    in that as far as I know neither a compass, LORAN or RADAR is required.)
    	The details of the law are something to the effect that if you
    had a Class A EPIRB prior to August 17, 1988 you are covered until 
    1994. If you don't, then you will be required to get a Type I EPIRB 
    when they become available (Oct 1989?). 
    	I don't want to go into the technical differences between the
    two types but the cost consequences are considerable (~$300 for
    Class A ... ~ $2,000 for Type I). When I was notified of the change
    last season I decided that I just couldn't afford the Class A; let
    alone the Type I.
    	This brings me to the purpose of this note; what are you other
    part time Tuna fishing folks going to do? We are technically commercial
    fishermen but I don't think we are the target of this new law. I
    sometimes feel foolish buying a commercial license for the few times
    I get to go Tuna fishing but I just pay my $53 and shut up. Shelling
    out $2,000 on the other hand is just unreasonable. If I had a spare
    $2,000 I could think af a lot of life saving equipment that I would
    spend it on before a Type I EPIRB (exposure suits, a cheaper EPIRB, a 
    hand held VHF ... ).
        What do you think? 
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
329.1Power in numbersPACKER::GIBSONTue Apr 04 1989 10:418
    Paul.
    Let's call the coast guard and find out the details for sure. If
    it turns out that we have to buy them? I can get marine gear and
    fishing gear at wholesale prices. We can get as many people together
    as possible who want/need things. and I can place an order for them.
    
                                          Walt
    
329.2My suggestion, get a Class AWEDOIT::JOYCETue Apr 04 1989 11:5613
    I went through all this last fall when I heard about the new regs.
    When I taked to the Coast Guard, they said "If you sell a tuna, then
    you are commercial and need an EPIRB." They may have changed their
    story since then, it would be worth a call. I bought a Class A unit
    last fall, I think it was discused in the fishing notes file, tuna
    note?
    I would buy one of the old Class A units and wipe off the stamped
    date of mfg., then play dumb if stopped by the Coast Guard. 
    
    Wait for the rest of the regs. they are thinking about take affect,
    you'll need a 40 footer to carry all the gear.
                                
    Steve
329.3What ? No celluar phone?PACKER::GIBSONTue Apr 04 1989 13:0415
    Oy Vey?! Steve you mean we need another $$$ piece of "stuff". Why
    not just rupture your fuel tanks and throw a zippo into the hull
    prior to jumpping into 30 deg water. Then they know where to throw
    the flowers when they arrive.
    
    Exposure suits- Yes I have them aka Dive wet suits, Handy for unwraping
    pot warp also. Besides I'm a diver.
    We allways have two onboard and when my brother in law leaves his
    "stuff" on the boat as he allways does, we have 3-4 suits.
    
    Steve- How much did you pay for the E-pirb? I'm going to check prices
    tonight when I get home. I'll post them tommorow.
    
                                                Walt
    
329.4$275.00 for RLB-14 EPIRBWEDOIT::JOYCETue Apr 04 1989 13:272
    I think it was $275 with shipping from American Marine.
    Model ACR RLB-14
329.5Try This on for Size!!USRCV1::FRASCHTue Apr 04 1989 17:0317
    I just got a copy of an announcement of a change in Public Law #XXX
    that used to require a Captains License ("Six Pack") if you carried
    "Passengers for Hire". It now has the same requirement if you carry
    passengers "for reasons other than pleasure---". This means if someone
    brings the bait and someone else the food it is no longer "just for
    pleasure". If someone buys the gas or you decide to sell a fish
    for a buck, you are out "for reasons other than pleasure".
    
    Here is the good one---A person entered in a fishing contest with
    the possibility of winning a prise is "for reasons other than
    pleasure". Have any of you ever been on Ontario the last weekend
    in April for the E.S.L.O. derby??? The Coast Guard will have to
    clear the lakes of THOUSANDS of boats since a very small number
    of them are licensed as  a Charter Captain. I can't wait to see
    what, if anything, happens!!!
    
    Don
329.6MSCSSE::BERENSAlan BerensWed Apr 05 1989 12:099
< Note 329.4 by WEDOIT::JOYCE >
                         -< $275.00 for RLB-14 EPIRB >-

    I think it was $275 with shipping from American Marine.
    Model ACR RLB-14


>>>> I'm fairly sure that this is a Class B EPIRB and therefore does not 
>>>> meet the requirements for commercial use. 
329.7Is "a" better than "b" ?PACKER::GIBSONWed Apr 05 1989 12:4216
    Oh no, Now I confused. Let's find out the way they rate E-Pirb's?
    Which is better?
    
    Anyway I said I'd get you'all a price- here it is.
    
    GUEST EPIRB CLASS B mod GU630  List $314.
    
    includes dated battery, transmits simutanously on 121.5mhz and 243mhz
    range 125,000 miles for 165 hrs.
    
    Bliss sale price $189.
    
    >My/our price if we buy wholesale min 2 units $175 ea.
    
                                            Walt
    
329.8Miller timePACKER::GIBSONWed Apr 05 1989 12:447
    On the subject of 6 Pack Cap't lic. I'm going for mine this year,
    I need the CPR and first aid.
    
    Does anyone want to start a study group to prepare for the Lic.?
    
                                               Walt
    
329.9ACR RLB-14 = Class A EPIRBWEDOIT::JOYCEWed Apr 05 1989 14:2310
    re: .6
    
    The fact is it doesn't meet the requirements for commercial vessels
    today. The ACR RLB-14 is a Class A EPIRB and does meet the requirements
    if it was placed into service before last fall, (Oct. 2, 1988?).
    
    You Boat-US fans can ckeck out the description on page 112 of last
    years, 1988 catalog.
    
    Steve
329.10Out of businessDNEAST::OKERHOLM_PAUWed Apr 05 1989 16:4119
    Re .7>
    	Walt,
    	The Class B won't meet the req's. (Technically neither will
    the Class A since it must have been installed prior to Aug 17, 1988.)
    	BTW - How can they tell if you owned it prior to Aug? Is a special
    FCC license Required? If not maybe we can still sneak one on board
    and buy a few years coverage.
    	
    Re 6 Pack License
    	This sounds like it will force me out of the Tuna fishing business,
    or any commercial fishing business for that matter (perhaps the Fed's 
    goal.). I can't get the necessary experience on my boat unless I fish 
    alone (a dumb/unsafe move) for a full year (365 days @ 8 hrs per day - 
    or some such length of time). This is virtually impossible for anyone
    with a full time job.
    	What can we do to push back?
    
    Paul
    	
329.11license needed for EPIRBMSCSSE::BERENSAlan BerensThu Apr 06 1989 14:015
re .10:

An FCC license is required for an EPIRB. If you check the right boxes on 
the application for your station license, the license will cover VHF, 
SSB, and EPIRB (and maybe radar).
329.12Fish on !PACKER::GIBSONThu Apr 06 1989 14:0321
    Paul.
    Why must you fish alone? I'm sure you could find crew somewhere??
    
    Like I said last year if you want to come on down for a tuna trip
    I allways can use experinced crew.
    
    To get a six pack lic. you need 365 days of sea time 90 days of
    which must have been within the last three years for the type of
    lic. you want. You want a coastal operator good for 100 miles from
    any shore.
    
    E-PIRB requires a FCC lic to operate, remember if your shipwrecked
    and don't have a lic. and use the E-PIRB you will get in trouble.
    
    Lic. is free! Amazing! Just reapply for your radiotelephone lic.
    and have it endorced for E-PIRB, Radar, SSB,and VHF.
    
                                       Walt
    
                                  WTC7826 Rainbow Chaser
    
329.13Out of business???DNEAST::OKERHOLM_PAUMon Apr 17 1989 16:5516
	Re .12> 
		
Walt 
	I don't usually have any problem finding a crew. What I meant about
fishing alone was if I need a 6 pack license to take anyone out then I can't
take a crew along. Also since I can't take a crew. I can't go Tuna fishing.
Since I can't go fishing I can't get the necessary experience to get a 6 pack
license ... round and round we go.
	The more I think about it the more ridiculous the "other than pleasure"
part of the law sounds. It will shut down virtually all part time, commercial,
Tuna fishing.
	I called the Coast Guard and they are sending out info on the law.
I hope it isn't just a package telling how to get the license, the person
on the phone wasn't very knowledgeable.

Paul	
329.14Back in business??DNEAST::OKERHOLM_PAUTue Apr 25 1989 13:3311
    Re .5>
    
    Don,
    	I got the info from the Coasties. It was as I expected, just
    a package of stuff about the exam. It did however, mention that the
    license was for those who will be taking out 6 or less people "FOR
    HIRE". It didn't mention anything about "other than pleasure".
    	Could you check your source of information and verify the wording?
    I'd really appreciate sorting this out.
    Thanks,
    Paul
329.15Fish TalesAD::GIBSONLobst&#039;a Ayh&#039;a I&#039;m the NRAWed Apr 26 1989 12:3013
    As she said" Its allways a business doing pleasure with you" 
    
    Unless you actually catch a Tuna ? (FAT CHANCE) you are considered to
    be on a pleasure trip, Yea thats the ticket! And if you do catch a fish
    you would naturally share your good fortune with your crew. So in all
    actuallity; you are paying them to fish with you not the other way
    around!
    
    Sea- No Problem!                  Walt
    
    P.S. Rainbow Chaser gets wet this saterday. YEA!
    
    
329.16Outlaw???DNEAST::OKERHOLM_PAUFri Apr 28 1989 08:5711
    Re .15>
    
    Walt,
    	I was thinking along those same lines. Whats the difference
    between commercial fishing and pleasure fishing? ... Nada.
    I'll just pleasure fish for a Tuna and if boarded by the coasties
    I'll shred my license and boat log ... a la Ollie North  :^)
    	If I do get a Tuna I'll turn commercial after I get within
    3 miles of shore and therefore won't need the EPIRB. 
    Whatayathink?
    Paul
329.17Is it "radar" yet?WEDOIT::JOYCEFri Apr 28 1989 11:066
    re: -1
    
    Paul, this is off the subject but, have you installed the radar
    yet? I would be interested in a performance report.
    
    Steve
329.18Sooo many hobbies ... sooo little timeDNEAST::OKERHOLM_PAUFri Apr 28 1989 12:3716
	Steve,
		I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that the RADAR is still 
	in the box and I haven't done a thing to the boat yet, other than 
	take it out of the barn. 
		I've been involved with a zillion thing this year and 
	can't even find the time to get spring fever yet. The boat prep 
	is on the list and should move up in priority real soon. I imagine
	I'll be in the water sometime in May. 
		Most of this is my own doing; I should have known better 
	than to have 4 kids, a farm and a full time job as well as the boat. 

		I guess the job will have to go. ;^)
	
	Regards,

	Paul
329.19Light dawns on marble headAD::GIBSONLobst&#039;a Ayh&#039;a I&#039;m the NRAFri Apr 28 1989 13:029
    Paul. 
    It just occured to me, holey cod cheeks! I was only thinking about tuna
    fish regarding the E-perb. You also need to have it if you do any kind
    of fishing ala Cod. Guess I'll just have to get one. I don't see why I
    can't get a class B and modify it with a float switch and bracket to
    qualify it as a Class-A? It would be a lot cheaper any very easy to do.
    
                                    Walt
    
329.20Type I no longer requiredDNEAST::OKERHOLM_PAUWed Jul 11 1990 09:089
	I was just reading an article in National Fisherman concerning
the proposed Coast Guard safety regulations for the fishing industry.
Apparently the Type 1 EPIRB requirement has been rescinded on boats 
without a galley. This is a means of exempting small day boats as opposed
to large boats out on extended trips. 
	I don't know if there's still other EPIRB requirements or not but I 
intend to find out. I'll post whatever I learn in here.

Paul