New York Life Jacket Law took effect Nov 1

[jackdaniels]

Beginning November 1, 2009, Section 40, Subdivision 1 of the Navigation Law shall be amended by adding new paragraph (e), which reads as follows:

No owner or operator of a pleasure vessel less than twenty-one feet, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks shall permit its operation, between November first and May first, unless each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely fastened United States Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of an appropriate size when such vessel is underway.

Failure to wear a lifejacket on such vessels will be considered a violation under Section 73-c if the Navigation Law and is punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100, applicable to either the operator and/or the owner of the vessel.
Under the law, each boat passenger must wear a securely fastened, United States Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device of the appropriate size while the boat is under way that is, while the vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground. Boaters are subject to the law while on any lakes, rivers, streams and waters within the state that are not privately owned. Violation of the law could result in a fine of $25 to $100. Commercial boats and racing crew shells of organized rowing teams are not subject to the law.

In addition to the new requirement, PFDs must be worn year-round by all children under 12 years of age on any boat less than 65 feet in length, unless within a fully enclosed cabin; by anyone towed, such as water-skiers or wake-boarders; and while on board a personal watercraft. Otherwise, a PFD must be available for every passenger on board every vessel, including no-motorized watercraft such as canoes, kayaks and rowboats.

[amarshall]

They've figured out there's money to be made / taxed in the boating and fishing industry and they're going to bend us over and give it to us hard with no lube.

As I said in another forum about the saltwater license. Same principle applies here.

Massachusetts will start with a small fee.

Then an endorsement for every type of fish.

Then a marine fuel tax.

Then a lure tax.

Then a special commission on gay lesbian and transgender fishing.

Then a time wasted tax.

Then a special commissioner on recreational coastal fisheries will need to be appointed. His/her previous expertise will be toll taking or environmental activism.

Then a commission on discrimination and sexual harassment in the fishery.

Then a luxury tax on fishing vessels.

Then a special program for inner city tuna fishing. Take a hood-rat tuna fishing.

Then a special furlough program for violent sex offenders who wish to spend time fishing.

Then a fine for not wearing a life jacket 24 hours a day...

And that will be just the beginning.....

[backman]

go take the safety training I took courtesy of Terry last spring and listen to the hard core N.B. commercial fisherman talk about the need for flotation at all times.

Go read Greg Sear's chilling story from last Nov.

Go read the Boston.com article last week about the 2 Wellfleet fisherman who are alive after 6 hr's in the water due to flotation and thermal protection.

I personally think its a fine idea andf might just save a life or two.

On the same rant - how many of you small boat Stellwagen November warriors wear flotation? Have thermal protection on board? Have a plan for dead engine/building seas/cold water 25 miles from the dock with a 4 PM sunset?

Rant off.

[amarshall]

Why does everything need to be legislated? If you choose not to bring common sense on your vessel, darwin is a *****.

[BarryTurano]

Why does everything need to be legislated? If you choose not to bring common sense on your vessel, darwin is a *****.

Isn't that the same as the seat belt law. If I choose not to wear one and wrap my truck around a tree I die. No one else. That was my choice. Isn't it our unalienable right to be stupid if we want?
It is not like driving drunk where I am putting others in harms way. If you make the argument that others may follow, then they too are exercising their right to be stupid.
I do wear a hydrostatic pfd when I am alone on the boat. But again that is my choice.
There really is no need to legislate. It may just help the gene pool.

[oldmud]

Why does everything need to be legislated? If you choose not to bring common sense on your vessel, darwin is a *****.

If i may, it may be because some people are just not smart enough to think about those situations themselves, have other priorities, Money ETC. Would rather spent their money on a new reel, have no idea what can, and does happen out there.

Most of the Comm. guys i know all ***** about having to keep the Raft, Epirb, Survival suits updated. BUT you can bet those two guys that went in last week will never ***** !!

[Avenger]

There really is no need to legislate. It may just help the gene pool.

You have to look at this from a politician's perspective...

If you take the stupid out of the gene pool, who will vote for democrats?

[backman]

Stellwagon Sinking

[Dads Dream]

Stellwagon Sinking

EXACTLY!! That was a sobering post from this past spring/summer.....it sure puts things in perspective. Boat appeared to be in fine condition- everything was running fine.....but, no......there was a big problem that's brewing and nobody onboard had ANY idea until late in the game!

Life jackets.....seat belts.....no cell or texting in the car.....(some of these SUCK)...but, it may just save some poor soul's life somewhere.....