W. Va. Code R. § 182-01-9

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 182-01-9 - Equipment

9.1. A commercial Whitewater outfitter has a duty under West Virginia Code § 20-2-24 to operate safe watercraft.

9.2. Type V vest-type personal flotation devices approved by the United States Coast Guard for commercial Whitewater use shall be provided to each passenger to be transported in watercraft by the outfitter. Trip leaders and trip guides shall wear either Type III or Type V vests approved by the United States Coast Guard for commercial Whitewater use.

9.3. The minimum watercraft size that may be used on any river is an eight-foot, two-compartmentized watercraft unless otherwise specified in Section 9.4 of these regulations, The size of an inflatable watercraft shall be measured from the outside tube surface in the bow to the outside tube surface in the stern when fully inflated, plus or minus six inches.

9.4. Special regulations for specific rivers, or portions thereof, are as follows;

9.4.1. Gauley River. Between Summersville Dam and Sweet's Falls, the minimum watercraft size shall be a twelve-foot, four-compartmentized watercraft.

9.5. Every commercial Whitewater trip shall be equipped with the following:

9.5.1. At least one first aid kit.

9.5.2. At least one fifty-foot floating throwline per trip.

9.6. All watercraft used in commercial Whitewater operations shall be marked with the name, initials, or an easily recognizable logo of the licensee and such markings shall be plainly visible and legible from a distance of one hundred feet.

W. Va. Code R. § 182-01-9