323 CMR 2.06
Equipment
(1) Ventilation - Tanks and Engine Spaces. All motorboats which use gasoline as fuel shall have at
least the ventilation required by 33 CFR 183.
(2) Mufflers. Adryexhaust shallbe effectively muffled by a muffler of the automotive type or equal.
Where a sufficient amount of cooling water is discharged overboard through the exhaust pipe to
effectively muffle the engine exhaust noise, it will be considered as adequate to comply with 323 CMR
2.06(2).
(3) Other Equipment. Unless otherwise required by federal law or 323 CMR 2.07(13) motor boats
shall be provided with: Anchor, line and manual bailer; on motorboats less than 16 feet in addition to
a paddle or oar. Personal watercraft shall be exempt from 323 CMR 2.06(3).
(4) Visual Distress Signals. No person shall operate any vessel on the coastal waters (as defined in
M.G.L. c. 130, § 1), ofthe Commonwealthunless visual distress signals are on board of the type and
number required by 33 CFR 175.101 through 175.135 for the size and type of vessel, time of day, and
the applicable vessel activity.
(a) Visual Distress Signals Required.
1. No person shall operate a vessel, 16 feet or more in length or any vessel carrying six or
less passengers unless visual distress signals (selected from the list below) in the number
required are on board. Such devices suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use,
must be carried.
2. Launchers. When visual distress signals carried to meet these requirements, require a
launcher to be activated, then the appropriate U.S. Coast Guard approved launcher must also
be carried on board.
3. Exception. The following persons need not comply with 323 CMR 2.06(4)(a)3., however,
each must carry on board during the nighttime, visual distress signals suitable for night use
(selected from the list below) in the number required:
a. A person competing in any organized marine parade, regatta, race or similar event;
b. A person using a vessel less than 16 feet in length, or
c. A person using a manually propelled vessel or
d. A person using a sailboat of completely open construction, not equipped with
propulsion machinery, under 26 feet in length.
4. Carriage and Serviceability. No person may operate a vessel unless the visual distress
signals required by 323 CMR 2.06(4)(a)4. are readily accessible and in serviceable condition.
If the service life is dated on the signal, it must not have expired.
5. Marking. No person may use a vessel unless each visual distress signal required under 323
CMR 2.06(4)(a)5. is legibly marked with the approval in 46 CFR Parts 160 and 161.
(b) Visual Distress Signals Acceptable. Any of the following signals, when carried in the numbers
required, can be used to meet the requirements of 323 CMR 2.06(4)(b):
1. An electric distress light meeting U.S. Coast Guard standards (46 CFR 161.013). One
such device meets the night only requirements.
2. An orange flag meeting U.S. Coast Guard standards (46 CFR 160.072). One such device
meets the day only requirement.
3. Pyrotechnics. The following table lists U.S. Coast Guard standards (46 CFR 160) and
numbers required for pyrotechnic devices.
Device description
Meets requirement
Number Required
Hand Held Red
Day and Night
3
Flare Distress Signals
Floating Orange
Day Only
3
Smoke Distress Signals
Parachute Red Flare
Day and Night
3
Distress Signals
Hand-Held Rocket
Day and Night
3
Propelled Parachute
Red Flare Distress Signals
Hand-Held Orange Smoke
Day Only
3
Distress Signals
Distress Signal for
Day and Night
3
Boats, Red Aerial
Pyrotechnic Flare
(Meteor or Parachute type)
4. Any combination of signal devices selected from the types noted in 323 CMR
2.06(4)(b)3., when carried in the number required, may be used to meet day and/or night
requirements.