Fremont Insurance Helps Boaters Avoid Most Common Small Passenger Deficiencies

FREMONT, Mich., May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With the long-awaited arrival of boating season in Michigan just around the corner, Fremont Insurance wants to make sure boaters have ensured their vessel meets the standards for seaworthiness before making their maiden voyage to avoid costly run-ins with authorities and maximize the safety of the vessel's passengers.

"With an abundance of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes that the state has to offer, it should come as no surprise that boating is one of Michigan's most popular summertime activities," said Kurt Dettmer, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Fremont Insurance.  "Unfortunately, in all the excitement to get back out on the water it can be easy to miss some common vessel deficiencies which may result in fines or in some cases may even compromise the safety of the vessel."

The United States Coast Guard has identified the Top 10 Small Passenger Vessel Deficiencies that owners should check for, and correct if necessary, before their next Coast Guard examination.

DEAD END WIRES – All cables or wires must serve some piece of equipment or system onboard the vessel. If a piece of equipment is removed, the cable or wire that serviced the equipment must also be removed.

DETERIORATED HULL MATERIAL – Check wood hulls for wasted planking and deteriorated fasteners, Metal hulls for cracked welds and rusting and fiberglass for blisters or cracks before heading out on the water.

INOPERABLE BILGE ALARM – All certificated small passenger vessels 26 feet or greater, regardless of build date, must have visual and audible bilge high level alarms for unmanned spaces that might flood.

PORTABLE HAND BILGE PUMP MISSING OR INOPERABLE – Portable hand bilge pumps, permitted on small vessels as a secondary means of dewatering, should be tested regularly to ensure proper operation.

FCC STATION LICENSE MISSING – Marine Radios, EPIRBs, and AIS equipment required to be installed on small passenger vessels must comply with FCC requirements including FCC issued station licenses.

NAVIGATION LIGHTS INOPERABLE – All vessels must have operational navigation lights. Even if you only plan to operate in daylight, you should still test your navigational lights prior to each voyage. 

LIGHT GUARDS MISSING – Light fixtures subject to damage including those on the open weather deck, in the engine room or other machinery space, must have a guard or be made of high strength material.

EXPIRED EPIRB HYDROSTATIC RELEASE – Small passenger vessels certificated to operate on the high seas or three miles beyond the coastline must have a fully operational Emergency Position Indicating Radio beacon (EPIRB) installed in a float free system.

NAVIGATION CHARTS OUTDATED OR MISSING – Small passenger vessels must carry current navigational charts that cover the area in which they operate.

EXPIRED FIRST AID KIT MEDICATION – A Coast Guard approved first aid kit with unexpired medications is required on small passenger vessels.

About Fremont Insurance
Fremont Insurance, an affiliate of the Auto Club Group (ACG) provides service to the Independent Agents of Michigan. The company has been a Michigan-exclusive company since 1876 and is a Pure Michigan partner.  Dynamic Products, Exceptional Service, and Competitive Pricing have made Fremont Insurance one of the fastest growing and most respected companies operating in Michigan. For more information about Fremont Insurance you can visit the company online at www.fmic.com, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FremontInsuranceCo, or follow them on twitter at www.twitter.com/FremontIns.

SOURCE Fremont Insurance