NC H872

Requires owners or operators of public piers and water access facilities owned by state agencies or units of local government to install public rescue equipment, including ring life buoys, at each facility located in North Carolina waters.

Ring life buoys must meet United States Coast Guard standards (46 C.F.R. Part 160), include a buoyant line of at least 100 feet with a breaking strength of at least 5 kilonewtons, and be placed within 200 feet of the shoreline at each access point.

Requires buoys to be stored in bright orange or yellow stations with type II retroreflective material marking, not permanently secured, and accompanied by public signage alerting users to their availability and use.

Establishes owners and operators as responsible for installation, maintenance, and public education regarding the rescue equipment.

Appropriates $25,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2023-2024 to the Wildlife Resources Commission to comply with the act and provide grants of up to $500 each to local governments in economically disadvantaged areas.