ABYC Standards for Visibility From the Helm

1.4.6 Seated High Eye Position – a single point 33 in (84 cm) above the surface of the compressed seated position (see FIGURE 2A).   

1.4.7 Seated Low Eye Position – a single point 27 in (69 mm) above the surface of the compressed seated position (see FIGURE 2A).

1.4.8 Seated Position – a vertical line established six inches(15 cm) forward from the centerline intersection of the seat back and compressed seat base (see FIGURE 2A).

1.4.9 Standing High Eye Position – a single point 68 in (173 cm) above the standing surface at the standing position (see FIGURE 2B).   

1.4.10 Standing Low Eye Position – a single point 58 in (148 cm) above the standing surface at the standing position (see FIGURE 2B).   

1.4.11 Standing Position –   the vertical line that is positioned 16 in (41 cm) aft of the center of the steering wheel and

1.4.11.1 directly behind the center of the steering wheel, or

1.4.11.2 between directly behind the center of the steering wheel and up to half the distance to the mounted controls.

Figure 1

1.4.12 Vertical Range of Visibility – the range of vision from a horizontal line from the high eye position (see FIGURE 2A and FIGURE 2B) through a line established between a point on the surface of the water four boat lengths or 164 ft (50 m), whichever is less, ahead of the boat and measured from the bow, to the low eye position (see FIGURE 2A and 1.5

1.5.7  Controls for steering, shift, throttle,  and trim shall be positioned so that during use, operator hand contact can be maintained without movement of the operator’s eye below the eye position(s) for which the boat is designed. If a boat is designed to be operated from both a standing and a seated position, this requirement shall be met from each position.

1.5.8 Permanent tops and/or other boat structure(s) in the vicinity of the operator shall not restrict visibility beyond the minimum requirements.

NOTE: Readily removable obstructions to vision, such as convertible or camper tops and

aft and side cockpit curtains are not considered permanent structure. When these items are in place, caution in operation must be  exercised  and  the  operator must maintain  a  lookout  as  required  by  the  USCG  Navigation

Visibility in the Forward Sector

1.6.1

Forward Visibility Inside the 30-Degree Sector

1.6.1.1  Directly in front of the operator a field of visibility shall be provided that extends throughout the vertical range of visibility described in H-1.4.12 and extends horizontally from straight ahead at least 15° to the port and at least 15° to the starboard (see

FIGURE 1).
 

1.6.2 Forward Visibility Outside the 30-Degree Sector

1.6.2.1  Outside  the  forward  30° sector  of  visibility  throughout  the  horizontal  arc  measured  from  90° to  port  and  112.5° to  starboard,  obstructions in  the  vertical  range  of  visibility shall  be  kept  to  a  minimum such  that  normal movements of the operator’s head will permit unobstructed visibility (see FIGURE 1).
 

Visibility in the Aft Sector

1.7.1 If permanent obstructions in the vertical range of visibility exist in the aft sector of visibility with the boat in the static floating position, unobstructed visibility shall be provided by:

1.7.1.1 Normal movement of the operator while maintaining control of the boat; or

1.7.1.2 mirrors; or 1.7.1.3 other means.