We participate in the Voluntary UPV 5-Star Safety Program, designed to increase safety aboard charter boats throughout Alaska. Charter operators participating in the 5-Star Safety Program have met regulatory requirements, received the UPV decal, and invested in additional safety equipment.
Our Safety Program
Safety aboard Glacier Bear
We participate in the Voluntary UPV 5-Star Safety Program. This program is designed to increase safety aboard uninspected charter boats throughout Alaska.
Past marine accidents and Alaska's harsh operating environment pointed to the need for an increase in the level of safety equipment that extends beyond the minimum required by regulation. Charter operators participating in the 5-Star Safety Program have met all the regulatory requirements, received the UPV decal, and voluntarily invested in additional safety equipment.
There are five voluntary safety-related items. The number of safety stars displayed on the UPV decal denotes the level of safety earned. One star is awarded for each additional measure adequately implemented and maintained onboard these vessels.
5-Star Safety
One safety star applies to each of the five items. Vessels receive credit for safety gear that is installed and properly maintained. A One-Star boat meets one of the requirements. A Five-Star vessel carries safety equipment substantially above Coast Guard regulations, including documented safety training, an EPIRB, an inflatable life raft or inflatable buoyant apparatus, backup hand-held communications capability, and high-water bilge alarms with a high-capacity bilge pump.
- The vessel complies with existing regulations, including the requirements in 46 CFR, Subchapter C. The operator must also establish a safety training program and a system of record-keeping showing drills and training are conducted regularly. The program should include exercises on emergency procedures and safety equipment.
- The vessel has an adequately installed bilge pump and audible bilge alarm, or if the boat is designed without a bilge, suitable reserve buoyancy to float the ship in a swamped condition.
- The vessel has a hand-held VHF FM radio with a minimum of 5 watts. A portable satellite phone can be used as an equivalent level of safety.
- The vessel has an adequately mounted and registered 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Class I or II.
- The vessel has a properly installed and serviced, Coast Guard-approved inflatable life raft or inflatable buoyant apparatus (IBA), canister or valise type, with minimum capacity for all passengers. An equivalent level of safety that meets Coast Guard standards or, if the vessel operates exclusively inside the Boundary Line, a commercial quality inflatable boat in good condition that is fully inflated, stowed for immediate use, and has the capacity equal to the total number of passengers carried.
