Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-15-7-3; IC 14-15-7-5

Affected: IC 14-15-2-7; IC 14-15-2-8

Sec. 25. (a) This section establishes requirements for boats carrying more than six (6) passengers for hire that are supplemental to the other requirements of this rule.

(b) Except on an open boat, a deck rail or a life line on a passenger deck must be at least twenty-four (24) inches high. A deck rail may be removed or modified while a boat is anchored and passengers are engaged in a diving operation.

(c) Fixed or portable seats must be placed so that aisles not more than fifteen (15) feet long are at least twenty-four (24) inches wide and aisles more than fifteen (15) feet long are at least thirty (30) inches wide. If seats are in rows, the distance from seat front to seat front must be at least thirty (30) inches. Seat spacing must provide for ready escape during a fire or another emergency.

(d) A boat that carries vehicles must have suitable chains, cable, or other barriers at the end of a vehicle runway. Suitable gates, rails, or other devices must also be installed as a continuation of the regularly required rails.

(e) A boat must have the following onboard:

1. (1) One (1) Type I personal flotation device, Type II personal flotation device, or Type III personal flotation device of proper size for each passenger and crew member.
2. (2) Except as provided in this subdivision for an open boat, a ring life buoy at least twenty (20) inches in diameter. The ring life buoy must be properly marked, readily accessible, and suitably attached to at least sixty (60) feet of floating line that is resistant to deterioration from ultraviolet light. An open boat must have a Type IV personal flotation device.

(f) Unless impracticable, a boat must be equipped with at least one (1) toilet that complies with IC 14-15-2-7 and IC 14-15-2- 8. No bypass shall be attached to a system line or hose that will allow wastewater to be discharged into the waters of this state.

(g) A boat that has a fixed fire extinguishing system must satisfy 46 CFR 76.05-20.

(h) The requirements for anchors and anchor lines are as follows:

1. (1) A boat must be equipped with an anchor of a suitable size and type.

2. (2) A line must be attached to the anchor by eye splice, thimble, and shackle. The anchor line must be readily available onboard the boat for quick deployment and must have a minimum length as follows:

   1. (A) At least fifty (50) feet for a boat that operates exclusively on rivers.
   2. (B) At least one hundred (100) feet for any other boat.

(i) The following additional requirements apply to a sailboat:

1. (1) The standing rigging and spars shall be inspected during the drydock inspection. Any mast must be unstepped to allow for close inspection of the components, fittings, and systems.
2. (2) The running rigging shall be inspected during the dockside inspection, but a mast is not required to be unstepped.
3. (3) A sailboat with wheel steering must have an emergency tiller that can be deployed if the wheel steering fails.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 5-14-25; filed Mar 23, 2001, 2:50 p.m.: 24 IR 2397, eff Jan 1, 2002; filed Jan 5, 2005, 11:05 a.m.: 28 IR 1469; readopted filed May 29, 2008, 1:53 p.m.: 20080625-IR-312080057RFA; errata filed Jun 2, 2009, 10:29 a.m.: 20090624-IR-312090386ACA; readopted filed Jul 17, 2014, 3:46 p.m.: 20140813-IR-312140067RFA; readopted filed Sep 16, 2020, 8:15 a.m.: 20201014-IR-312200355RFA)