Unauthorized marine craft shall be separated from vessel or platform by a minimum of how many feet during loading of fireworks?

• A. 25 feet
• B. 10 feet
• C. 50 feet
• D. 100 feet

Answer: (A)

During loading of fireworks, establish a defined exclusion zone around the vessel or platform to protect people and property from sparks, embers, or a potential misfire. Keeping unauthorized marine craft at least 25 feet away creates a safe buffer that accounts for wind shifts and movement of equipment, giving crewmembers room to operate and react if something goes wrong. A smaller distance, like 10 feet, would not provide enough clearance to mitigate a stray spark or debris, while larger distances such as 50 or 100 feet exceed the minimum requirement and aren’t necessary unless conditions demand extra caution. So, the minimum safe separation is 25 feet.