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Question about life rings

S

Shaun

Member I
Does the Coast Guard require a Horseshoe buoy, or will a ring buoy work? I was recently boarded by the CG and the cover on my horseshoe buoy is worn through in spots. They were cool about it, but gave me a warning, saying I either needed a new one or replace the cover on it. They said as is, it wasn't a legal flotation device and if I were boarded again I would be towed to the nearest harbor.

Thanks
 
Loren Beach

Loren Beach

O34 - Portland, OR
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
VSC notes

The requirements are pretty basic. Never heard of anyone being threatened with "termination of voyage" over a frayed cover on a throwable device. You need to contact the Seattle USCG station. Something either fishy here or more information is needed. You do need one PFD per person, immediately available for use.

Here's a link.
http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-DEPT&category=virtual-safety-check

We have our boat checked every spring and get our little VSC sticker. It's a good way to get us into the "safety mindset" and be sure that all the right stuff is aboard and working. Of course every three years I have to buy yet another package of flare shells.... :rolleyes:

After almost 25 years, we have enough shells to keep up a rapid-fire pace!
:0
 
S

Shaun

Member I
Loren Beach said:
The requirements are pretty basic. Never heard of anyone being threatened with "termination of voyage" over a frayed cover on a throwable device. You need to contact the Seattle USCG station. Something either fishy here or more information is needed. You do need one PFD per person, immediately available for use.

Here's a link.
http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-DEPT&category=virtual-safety-check

We have our boat checked every spring and get our little VSC sticker. It's a good way to get us into the "safety mindset" and be sure that all the right stuff is aboard and working. Of course every three years I have to buy yet another package of flare shells.... :rolleyes:

After almost 25 years, we have enough shells to keep up a rapid-fire pace!
:0
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply.

The cover on the horseshoe buoy is split along the top seam and the white styrofoam underneath is sticking out. It does need either a new cover or a new buoy. Yeah, I thought it was sort of petty. Everything else checked out though. I was moving the boat to a new marina in the rain and fog when boarded. Everything else checked out. We have 10 or 12 life vests, more than enough for a 27' boat.

My question is whether a life ring is a legal replacement for a horseshoe buoy.
 
toddster

toddster

Curator of Broken Parts
Blogs Author
Doesn't matter. It just has to be a coast-guard rated Type IV PFD.

Beware: I bought a bargain-priced life-sling device to replace my worn out horseshoe. It's a pretty slick little item, but it has no sign of any coast-guard approval on it anywhere. The more expensive one does.

However, I have a pack of throwable seat cushions distributed around in the cockpit, which do cover the requirement.
 
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E

Emerald

Moderator
Just thinking of the different flavors of throwable devices, I almost bought a ring, but went for a horseshoe on the thought it would be easier for the MOB to get into it than a ring. I also discovered in the horseshoes, a big difference in price over a tiny difference in size. I went for a "pony" ring from Hamilton Marine:

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/bro...white-built-in-sea-anchor-105183/4,18209.html

which is quite a bit less ($83) than the "full size" version ($125):

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/bro...white-built-in-sea-anchor-105179/4,18206.html

I asked around a bunch about the differences, and nobody could come up with a reason to go for the bigger one.

and of note, if you go without the built in "sea-anchor" and go for yellow, they get even cheaper:

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/horseshoe-buoy-yellow-uscg-approved-105263/4,2697.html

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/horseshoe-buoy-pony-yellow-105272/4,2705.html
 
Last edited:
S

Shaun

Member I
Emerald said:
Just thinking of the different flavors of throwable devices, I almost bought a ring, but went for a horseshoe on the thought it would be easier for the MOB to get into it than a ring. I also discovered in the horseshoes, a big difference in price over a tiny difference in size. I went for a "pony" ring from Hamilton Marine:

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/bro...white-built-in-sea-anchor-105183/4,18209.html

which is quite a bit less ($83) than the "full size" version ($125):

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/bro...white-built-in-sea-anchor-105179/4,18206.html

I asked around a bunch about the differences, and nobody could come up with a reason to go for the bigger one.

and of note, if you go without the built in "sea-anchor" and go for yellow, they get even cheaper:

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/horseshoe-buoy-yellow-uscg-approved-105263/4,2697.html

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/horseshoe-buoy-pony-yellow-105272/4,2705.html
Click to expand...

I was pricing them online today and noticed the same thing. The ring's are a lot cheaper. Ideally, I would get a new cover for the horseshoe buoy, but I'm not sure if they make them. Will probably get a ring and keep my existing horseshoe buoy for backup.
 
B

Blue Chip

Member III
Schaun, I'm sure someone will chime in here and prove my theory wrong, but I suspect the problem is that "the stuffing is showing and coming out". Perhaps this ruins the integrety and once that stuufing gets wet, it loses its buoyancy??? I can imagine waterlogged "stuffing". Just a thought. If that is tue, seems like as a "back-up" it would be useless.
 
Tom Metzger

Tom Metzger

Sustaining Partner
I can't speak for anyone else, but I would never allow myself to be rescued with a shabby horseshoe buoy. You have to assume now-a-daze that there will be a camera around that will record it for posterity. We have to maintain a sense of dignity. :0
 
V

Vagabond39

Member III
I CAN REMEMBER WATCHING THE KAPOK INSERTS FOR LIFE JACKETS SINK. And a friend called my attention to Strobe simular to the Firefly, with alkiline batteries, that would only flash is exposed to light. NO LIGHT, NO FLASH.
So just treat it as if your life depended on it. It Might
 
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