X3 Fishing,Field by Field.
Dockside exam decals, monthly drills, liferafts and EPIRBs for every commercial fishing vessel.
- 46 CFR 136-144Subchapter M towing vessels
- 46 CFR 199.180Monthly drills
- 46 CFR 10.301Medical certificates
- 46 CFR 16.230Random testing — 50%
- 29 CFR 1915.12Confined & enclosed spaces
- 29 CFR 1917.50Crane certification
- 33 CFR 105.220Security drills every 3 months
- 33 CFR 155.1060Spill response exercises
- 46 CFR 4.05-10CG-2692 within 5 days
- 46 CFR 4.06-32-hour / 32-hour test clocks
- 46 CFR 28.270Fishing vessel drills
- 46 U.S.C. 2101Six-pack passenger limit
- 40 CFR 112Marina SPCC plans
- 29 CFR 1926.106Working over water
Every record X3 Fishing keeps, the rule behind it, how often it comes due, and exactly what to type in each field — with where to find it on your own paperwork.
Dockside Exams & Decals
46 U.S.C. 4502(f) / 50 CFR 600.746 · Exam at least every 5 years; decal good for 2 years
The Coast Guard dockside safety exam and the decal it earns. Boats fishing beyond 3 miles, carrying more than 16 people or tendering in the Aleutian trade need the exam at least every 5 years; the decal is good for 2 years and observer fisheries require a current one.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it fishes | Where the boat fishes. Beyond 3 nautical miles makes the exam mandatory. | Your permits and trip plans. | Beyond 3 nautical miles |
| Dockside exam passed | The day the boat passed its dockside exam. | The exam form (CG-5587) or the decal itself. | 05/14/2026 |
| Decal number | The number printed on the decal. | The decal on the wheelhouse. | FV-123456 |
Monthly Drills & Instruction
46 CFR 28.270 · At least monthly for each person aboard
Each person aboard takes part in drills and instruction at least once a month, run by someone trained as a drill conductor. Drills must look like a real emergency and use the real gear.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date held | The day the drill was held. | Your drill log or logbook. | 10/12/2026 |
| Drill conductor | The trained drill conductor who ran it. | Their drill conductor certificate. | J. Larsen |
| Crew who took part | Everyone who took part. | Your sign-in sheet. | Ole, Sam, Ray, Tina |
Drill Conductors
46 CFR 28.270(c) / 28.275 · Once; refresh every 5 years (company practice)
Only someone trained in drill procedures may run the monthly drills. Training comes from a Fishing Vessel Safety Instructor accepted by the Coast Guard.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drill conductor course completed | The day they finished the drill conductor course. | Their course certificate. | 03/08/2025 |
Liferafts & Lifesaving Gear
46 CFR 28.140 · Yearly, and by the date on each sticker
Liferafts and serviceable hydrostatic releases are serviced every year at an approved facility; disposable releases and flares are replaced by their expiry date; immersion suits are inspected every year.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last serviced or inspected | The date of the last service or inspection. | The servicing sticker or certificate. | 02/20/2026 |
| Next service or expiry date | The next-service or expiry date printed on the item. | The sticker on the canister or release. | 02/2027 |
EPIRB
46 CFR 28.140 / 28.150 · Test monthly; registration every 2 years
The 406 MHz beacon that tells rescuers where you are. Test it monthly, replace the battery and release by their dates and renew the NOAA registration every 2 years so rescuers get the right contacts.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beacon ID (15-character hex) | The beacon's 15-character ID. | The label on the beacon. | ADCD0228C500401 |
| NOAA registration last renewed | The day you last renewed the registration with NOAA. | Your NOAA beacon registration confirmation or sticker. | 06/01/2025 |
First Aid & CPR
46 CFR 28.210 · Renew by the date on each card
With more than 2 people aboard, at least 1 must hold first aid and 1 CPR; more than 16 aboard needs 2 of each; more than 49 needs 4 of each. One person can count for both.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| First aid card expires | The expiry date on the first aid card. | Front or back of the card. | 08/31/2027 |
| CPR card expires | The expiry date on the CPR card. | Front or back of the card. | 08/31/2027 |
Safety Orientation (New Crew)
46 CFR 28.270(e) / 28.265 · Before a new person's first trip
Before the boat leaves, anyone who has not done the drills gets a safety orientation: the emergency instructions, survival craft stations, immersion suits and alarms.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orientation given | The day of the orientation. | Your orientation checklist. | 10/20/2026 |
Fire Extinguishers
46 CFR 28.160 / 25.30 · Look monthly; service yearly
Each portable extinguisher in place, charged and tagged. Boats 65 feet and over follow the number and size table in 46 CFR 28.160.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last annual service (tag) | The date on the service tag. | The tag hanging on the extinguisher. | 01/15/2026 |
Permits & NOAA Reporting
50 CFR (by fishery) · By each expiry date
Fishery permits, state licenses, VMS service and the vessel documentation renewal that keep each boat legal to fish.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expires | The expiry date on the permit or license. | The permit itself or your agency account. | 12/31/2026 |
Stability Instructions
46 CFR 28.530 · After any change to the boat
Boats 79 feet and longer built after Sept 15, 1991 need stability instructions aboard. Any change to gear, tanks or structure can make them out of date.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stability instructions dated | The date on the stability instructions. | The stability booklet aboard. | 04/02/2019 |
Safety Walkdowns
46 CFR 28 / company program · Monthly, and before every exam or inspection
A walk-through with the checklist of the items inspectors and examiners write up most. Every fail becomes an open item with a due date.
| Field | What it is | Where to find it | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walked | The day you walked it. | Your checklist. | 10/27/2026 |
Compliance information, not legal advice. Rules cited are current as we publish; confirm against the official eCFR.