§ 3306. Lights and equipment
(a) Every vessel shall carry and show the following lights, in the intensity prescribed
under 33 C.F.R. § 83.22, as amended, when underway between sunset and sunrise and during other periods of
restricted visibility:
(1) Unpowered vessels.
(A) A sailing vessel shall exhibit:
(i) sidelights; and
(ii) a sternlight.
(B) A sailing vessel may, in addition to the lights prescribed in subdivision (A) of this
subdivision (1), exhibit at or near the top of the mast, where they can best be seen,
two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower being green.
(C) Notwithstanding subdivision (A) of this subdivision (1), on a sailing vessel of less
than 20 meters in length, the lights prescribed in subdivision (A) of this subdivision
(1) may be combined in a single light and exhibited at or near the top of the mast,
where it can best be seen, but may not also have exhibited two all-round lights in
a vertical line, as permitted in subdivision (B) of this subdivision (1).
(D) Notwithstanding subdivision (A) of this subdivision (1), a sailing vessel of less
than seven meters in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in
subdivision (1) of this subsection (a) but, if not practicable, shall exhibit or have
onboard an all-round white light that shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent
collision.
(E) A vessel under oars or one or more paddles may exhibit the lights prescribed in subdivision
(1) of this subsection (a), but, if such lights are not exhibited, the vessel shall
exhibit or have onboard an all-round white light that shall be exhibited in sufficient
time to prevent collision.
(2) Motorboats.
(A) A motorboat, including one that is also proceeding under sail, shall exhibit:
(i) a masthead light forward;
(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the light required under subdivision
(i) of this subdivision (A) if the vessel is 50 meters or more in length;
(iii) sidelights; and
(iv) a sternlight.
(B) A motorboat that is also proceeding under sail shall exhibit forward, where it can
best be seen, a conical shape, apex downward.
(3) Lights approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Any light or combination of lights approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for inland waters
shall be considered legal for Vermont waters.
(b)(1) Personal flotation devices. Each vessel, except sailboards, shall, consistent with federal regulations, carry
for each individual aboard at least one wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal
flotation device that is in good and serviceable condition and capable of being used
in accordance with the U.S. Coast Guard approval label.
(2) Vessels; individuals less than 12 years of age. In addition to the provisions of this subsection, an individual under 12 years of
age aboard a vessel, while under way and the individual is on an open deck, shall
wear a properly secured wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device
as intended by the manufacturer.
(3) Sailboards; individuals less than 16 years of age. An individual under 16 years of age aboard a sailboard shall wear a properly secured
wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device as intended by the manufacturer.
(4) Inspected commercial vessels. U.S. Coast Guard-inspected commercial vessels shall be exempt from the provisions
of this subsection.
(c) U.S. Coast Guard-approved hand portable fire extinguishers that are unexpired, fully
charged, and in both good and serviceable condition shall be carried on board every
motorboat as follows:
(1) motorboats with no fixed fire extinguisher system in the machinery space and that
are:
(A) less than 26 feet in length, not fewer than one extinguisher;
(B) 26 feet or longer, but less than 40 feet, not fewer than two extinguishers; and
(C) 40 feet or longer, not fewer than three extinguishers; and
(2) motorboats with a fixed fire extinguisher system in the machinery space and that are:
(A) less than 26 feet in length, no extinguishers required;
(B) 26 feet or longer but less than 40 feet, not fewer than one extinguisher; and
(C) 40 feet or longer, not fewer than two extinguishers.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (c) of this section, motorboats less than 26 feet in length,
propelled by outboard motors, and not carrying passengers for hire need not carry
portable fire extinguishers if the construction of the boats will not permit the entrapment
of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.
(e)(1) The extinguishers referred to by this section are class B-I or 5-B extinguishers,
but one class B-II or 20-B extinguisher may be substituted for two class B-I or 5-B
extinguishers, in compliance with 46 C.F.R. Subpart 25.30, as amended.
(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, motorboats with a model year between
1953 and 2017 with previously approved fire extinguishers that are not in compliance
with the types identified in subdivision (1) of this subsection need not be replaced
until such time as they are no longer in good and serviceable condition.
(f) Every marine toilet on board any vessel operated on the waters of the State shall
also incorporate or be equipped with a holding tank. Any holding tank or marine toilet
designed so as to provide for an optional means of discharge to the waters on which
the vessel is operating shall have the discharge openings sealed shut and any discharge
lines, pipes, or hoses shall be disconnected and stored while the vessel is in the
waters of this State.
(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the discharge of adequately
treated wastes from any vessel operating under the provisions of a valid discharge
permit issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
(h) Motorboats operated on waters that the U.S. Coast Guard has determined to be navigable
waters of the United States and therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States must have lights and other safety equipment as required by U.S. Coast Guard
rules and regulations. (Added 1983, No. 212 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1985, No. 90, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1986; 1987, No. 76, § 18; 1989, No. 65, § 5; 1989, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2017, No. 71, § 28, eff. June 8, 2017; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 237; 2021, No. 76, § 13; 2023, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. July 1, 2024.)