Evening star., 1940-04-12
Forms Present Item!
To Be Checked al
Fitting-0ut Time
Comdr. R. S. Fields
Scheme Is Expected
To Find Wide Favor
BY MALCOLM LAMBORNE, Jr.

BY MALCOLM LAMBORNE, Jr.
Aroused over yatching's need for
more careful supervision, the Bureau
of Marine Inspection and Naviga-
ton this week opened a campaign
designed to bring about the safer
operation of pleasure craft.
Yachting. long a stronghold for
the rugged individualist, to date
singularly has been fortunate in
escaping a great deal of govern
mental regulation.
Those interested, however, in see
ing the sport remain untrammeled
yet safe for the entire family are
expected to look with favor on the
plan proposed by the bureaus di-
rector, Comd. r. S. Field, U. S. N.
retired.
Boatmen of the country this week
were receiving Commerce Depart
ment forms listing items that should
be checked carefully during the
fitting out season. Inclosed with
each form is safe-operation GER
tiflcate which the boat owner il
entitled to display if his yacht meets
all the inspection requirements.
The inspection is done entirely by
the individual boat owner and re-
quires no supervision.
Success of the campaign, Comdr
Field believes, depends entirely on
the amount of thought and time
spent by the yachtsman at the i'm
portant fitting out stage.
Not Required by Law.
To allay the fears of the hard
bitten individualist who doesn't
like strangers around" his boat, the
bureau stresses the inspection and
the filling out of forms is not man.
datory nor is it required by law.
1t is intended for those boats not
required by law to be checked an
nually by local inspectors.
Display of the safe-operation
certificate, Comdr. Field points out
will not exempt it from being board
ed and inspected by navigation in
spectors, Coast Guard or customs
officers. If and when that happens,
the boat owner who has taken that
extra time at the beginning of the
season surely will find his conscience
clear.
Here are the points the bureau
believes are essential for the safe
operation of your boat:
Hull-Are the hull and all under
water fittings in good condition?
Have you used excessive calking
when planking is dried out?
Fuel tanks and piping-Are fuel
tanks tight, in good condition and
properly secured to prevent move
ment? Are filling pipes and sound
Ing holes arranged so that vapors
when filling, will not enter, inside
the boat? Is the fuel tank vent pipe
solidly attached to the top of the
tank? Is the entire fuel system
tight and in good condition? Can
the fuel supply be shut off at the
tank from the outside? Are all drain
openings in fuel tanks fitted with
solid plugs?.
Beware of Exhaust Pipe.
Engine and accessories-Are all
carburetors fitted with back-fre
flame arrestors? Is exhaust pipe in
good condition and arranged so it
will not scorch or ignite adjacent
woodwork?
Electrical system-Is the entire
system in good condition? Are ma
rine-type electrical appliances in
stalled in spaces likely to contain
explosive mixtures such as gasoline?
Are electric storage batteries in a
well-ventilated space?
Ventilation-Are all inclosed parts
of the vessel provided with means
for proper ventilation? Is the sys-
tenn arranged to circulate air in the
lower part Of the boat?
Equipment-Are all fire extin-
guishers fully charged and ready for
instant use? Is the boat equipped
with proper ground tackle? Is the
vessel provided with hand pump of
sufficient capacity? Is all equip
ment located in a permanent place,
ready for any emergency? Is equip
ment required by law sufficient in
quantity and in accordance with
rules issued by the Secretary of
Commerce?
IT you have not received copy of
the forms, write the Bureau of Ma
rine Inspection and Navigation, De-
partment OF Commerce, here, and
they will gladly send you the ma
terial.