National Safe Boating Week

[Thermobrett]

A little PSA from the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
https://u9mneuhbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp...bJapRe2zwUgMf6eSWLmSByQ7vLZNR_HilePPpgftr2A==

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

A little PSA from the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
https://u9mneuhbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp...bJapRe2zwUgMf6eSWLmSByQ7vLZNR_HilePPpgftr2A==

Two questions
1-What is the reasoning behind only counting self inflating life jackets as inventory if they are worn?
2-Is the number of required life jackets on board dictated by the number of people on board or the boats capacity of persons? The document only “proper number and condition”

 

[Thermobrett]

Two questions
1-What is the reasoning behind only counting self inflating life jackets as inventory if they are worn?
2-Is the number of required life jackets on board dictated by the number of people on board or the boats capacity of persons? The document only “proper number and condition”

Good questions

1-What is the reasoning behind only counting self inflating life jackets as inventory if they are worn?
Self inflating is counted as inventory (counted 1 PDF per person) as long as you are wearing it. If you are wearing it while underway, no issue. Its just like a standard PFD, meaning if you fell overboard, you would be able to activate the CO2 manually, by water sensing or "blow" inflate it yourself and stay afloat. If you have it in a storage compartment and you fall overboard, it "technically" is not considered a throwable or PDF that somebody could quickly grab onto in an emergency when thrown. This is how it was explained to me. As inflatable life jackets are not new technology anymore, there is still some grey areas around them and the requirements they adhere to.

2-Is the number of required life jackets on board dictated by the number of people on board or the boats capacity of persons? The document only “proper number and condition”
Life jackets are dictated by the number of people onboard, easily accessed (not in a bag or a locked compartment) and serviceable condition meaning no tears, ribs or broken straps/latches. If your capacity plate says a max of 8 persons, but you have 4 onboard, only 4 life jackets are required.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Thank you!

The non throwable part of the inflatable pfd thing makes sense, I hadn’t considered that.

I appreciate the clarification on the number of PFD’s required on the boat, that’s logical. I have 6 “regulation” style PFD’s in my overhead T bag, and 5 auto/man inflatable PFD’s in a dry bag and another inflatable pfd I wear regularly in the aft starboard storage compartment.

 

[dalcini]

Thanks for posting this @Thermobrett. I was surprised to see on pg 12:
Federal law requires children under 13
must wear a life jacket while the boat is
moving, unless they are inside a cabin or
below deck.

I would have thought this rule would apply to something like 8 and under. My kids are 11 & 13. So essentially this means they need to wear pfd's while moving on our 242?

 

[spatty99]

The federal life jacket law for children ONLY applies in states without a life jacket law.

For example, in Michigan, only children under 6 must wear a life jacket.

Life Jacket State Requirements

Find your state's laws concerning life jackets.

www.boatus.org

 

[dalcini]

Ahhh, thanks @spatty99. That rule did seem a little inconsistent with what I've seen on Michigan lakes.