Home made barge questions

[Rumley]

Last weekend my friends and I built a barge out of 3 pontoons. We put aluminum I beams across and screwed a deck to it for transporting material to the camp (it's on an island).
My question to everyone is; what are the rules/safety regulations to towing the barge with people on it? Is everyone required to have a pfd? Does there have to be a safety kit, paddle etc. it has no motor and is towed by a 16' steel boat with a 9.9. If it is connected to the boat just floating in the breeze can you legally have a few drinks on it?
We have it on lake Huron in Ontario if that makes a difference

 

[Don S]

Re: Home made barge questions

Good common sense says yes on the PFD's. For the rest, check your local rules and regs.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Home made barge questions

I don't know the canadian regs but I suspect they would be similar to ours: ALL persons in a boat under tow must wear PFDs. Thus a barge under tow would be considered the same. Anyway, goos common sense would dictate wearing of PFDs while under tow.

As far as drinking, It is a watercraft--unpowered-- so local regs would apply. Now dock it at shore and that's a different story.

 

[Rumley]

Re: Home made barge questions

We always do have pfds in the boat for everyone I'm just curious as to the rules. As far as being towed is it law to waterski, wakeboard, tube without a pfd? I would never do any of the above without one but unsure of the law. Anyone from Ontario know where the laws would be posted?

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Home made barge questions

No familiarity with Canadian laws but I would imagine that the website for whatever agency that handles boat registration should have them posted.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Home made barge questions

Ontario has what is probably the strictest laws on the continent when it comes to drinking on the water. You cannot even drink in a canoe. You must be on shore or secured to a dock. Aside from that, if you are being towed by another craft, then you are part of that craft and all the rules for THAT craft apply. Game wardens, Ministry of Natural Resources officers, and Conservation Officers all have the power to issue fines. It is so bad in Ontario, we go out of province for our yearly, week long, fishing trip.
Bottom line, in Ontario, the booze stays on shore.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Home made barge questions

Ontario has what is probably the strictest laws on the continent when it comes to drinking on the water. You cannot even drink in a canoe. You must be on shore or secured to a dock. Aside from that, if you are being towed by another craft, then you are part of that craft and all the rules for THAT craft apply. Game wardens, Ministry of Natural Resources officers, and Conservation Officers all have the power to issue fines. It is so bad in Ontario, we go out of province for our yearly, week long, fishing trip.
Bottom line, in Ontario, the booze stays on shore.

Here in Alabama our alcohol on the water rules are the same as being in a car. No open containers, this includes tied to a dock with the motor off... if the keys are in the ignition, you're DUI if you can't pass the blow test. Take the keys out of the ignition and you're ok.

There's a reason for harsh drinking and driving/operating laws... but I can't remember what it is.

 

[Rumley]

Re: Home made barge questions

I know the laws are strict on drinking on the water here. To legally drink in a boat you have to be anchored, have sleeping accommodations, a permanent cooking device (BBQ does not count) and toilet that goes into a holding tank (porti potty does not count).
I was just curious because if you anchor it out it is now a floating dock, so is it considered a boat or part of a boat and what are the legalities of that? I'm all for strict laws on drinking and driving, but I think it's getting quite ridiculous that passengers or someone in a canoe can't have a few drinks while underway.
As an aside on the anchored out part, when I spoke with a cop 2 years ago he told me if you are anchored out and it's obvious that you are staying there for the night and are being responsible they are not going to bother you. They are looking for the guys that sit and drink for a few hours and then are out running around the lake.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Home made barge questions

... I'm just curious as to the rules. As far as being towed, is it (against the) law to waterski, wakeboard, tube without a pfd? ...

Most, if not all, States require a Type 1,2 or 3 Approved PFD on the Skier.
Type 5 not allowed!

Likely the same up North.