REGULATION OF MOTORBOATS 67 



or life belt, or ring buoy, or other device of the sort prescribed by 

 the regulations of the Commandant of the Coast Guard, for each 

 person on board, so placed as to be readily accessible : Provided^ 

 That every such motorboat and every such vessel propelled by ma- 

 chinery other than by steam more than sixty-five feet in length car- 

 rying passengers for hire shall cany, so placed as to be readily 

 accessible, at least one life preserver of the sort prescribed by the 

 regulations of the Commandant of the Coast Guard, for each person 

 on board. 



Motorboats and small craft carrying passengers for hire; oper- 

 ators' licenses 



46 U.S.C. 526f 



Xo such motorboat, and no other vessel of fifteen gross tons or less 

 propelled by machinery other than steam, while carrying passengers 

 for hire, shall be operated or navigated except in charge of a person 

 duly licensed for such service by tlie Secretary of the department in 

 which the Coast Guard is operating. "Whenever any person applies 

 to be licensed as operator of any motorboat, or of any other vessel 

 of fifteen gross tons or less propelled by machinery, carrying pas- 

 sengers for hire, the Secretary shall make diligent inquiry as to his 

 character, and shall carefully examine the applicant orally as well 

 as the proofs which he presents in support of his claim, and if the 

 Secretary is satisfied that his capacity, experience, habits of living, 

 and character are such to warrant the belief that he can safely be 

 entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of the station for 

 which he makes application, the Secretary shall grant him a license 

 authorizing liim to discharge such duties on any such motorboat, or 

 on any other vessel of fifteen gross tons or less propelled by ma- 

 chinery, carrying passengers for hire, for the term of five years. 

 Such license shall be subject to suspension or revocation on the same 

 grounds and in the same manner with like procedure as is provided 

 in the case of suspension or revocation of licenses of officers under 

 the provisions of section 280 of this title: Prmnded^ That motor- 

 boats and other vessels of fifteen gross tons or less propelled by 

 machinery shall not be required to carry licensed officers except as 

 required in this subcliapter: And provided further^ That licenses 

 herein prescribed shall not be required of motorboats or of any 

 other vessels of fifteen gross tons or less propelled by machinery 

 engaged in fishing contests previously arranged and announced. 



Fire extinguishers 



46 U.S.C. 526g 



Every motorboat and also every vessel propelled by machinery 

 other than by steam more than sixty-five feet in length shall be pro- 

 vided with such number, size, and type of fire extinguishers, capable 

 of promptly and effectually extinguishing burning gasoline, as may 

 be prescri])ed by the regulations of the Commandant of the Coast 

 Guard, Avhich fire extinguishers shall be at all times kept in condi- 

 tion for immediate and effective use and shall be so placed as to be 

 readily accessible. 



