Santee Lake. I think they found the body.

[TnRiver46]

19 minutes ago, JHoss said:

I had the opposite experience a couple years ago. Was fishing from the kayak and had my inflatable stowed in the front hatch. Got stopped by DWR who asked if I had a PFD. I opened the hatch and showed them my inflatable and they were good with that. Made no mention of needing it to be on. 

 

 

He was just ready for lunch and didn’t look too closely 

[casts_by_fly]

3 hours ago, JHoss said:

I did plenty of googling before posting. Even in the link you provided the only thing that remotely aligns with what you're saying is, "Often approved only when worn." Nowhere can I find any wording that the must be worn at all times.

 

 

https://dwr.virginia.gov/equipment-regulations/#:~:text=The operator%2C each rider%2C and,Except non-motorized vessels.

Seeing as USCG seems to give the final say to the states, I looked at my state, Virginia. Nowhere does it state that an inflatable must be worn. In fact, they have a section about inflatables: 

 

A Special Note about Inflatable Life Jackets

Inflatable life jackets are lightweight, comfortable to wear and take up about one-tenth the storage room of conventional foam-filled life jackets. Most are USCG approved only for persons 16 years of age and older who are not engaged in whitewater or skiing activities or riding on PWC. They are a great choice for adults on the water!

 

 

 

 

 

Class 5 PFDs are approved by the coast guard for special activities for which each has its own rules and requirements.  The manufacturer is required to tag each PFD with the activities approved and the conditions for use.  See two manufacturer examples below.  Mustang just says 'most must be worn at all times to comply with the label', presumably because they make a wide range of class 5s and wanted to be more general on that information page.  NRS is specific on that product page that it must be worn to comply.  I have the bass pro version and the label clearly states "must be worn to comply with USCG regulations".

 

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/CG-ENG-4/PFDSel/

https://www.boatus.org/life-jackets/types

 

https://mustangsurvival.com/pages/pfd-classifications

https://www.nrs.com/nrs-matik-inflatable-pfd/pltz

[JHoss]

20 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

 

Class 5 PFDs are approved by the coast guard for special activities for which each has its own rules and requirements.  The manufacturer is required to tag each PFD with the activities approved and the conditions for use.  See two manufacturer examples below.  Mustang just says 'most must be worn at all times to comply with the label', presumably because they make a wide range of class 5s and wanted to be more general on that information page.  NRS is specific on that product page that it must be worn to comply.  I have the bass pro version and the label clearly states "must be worn to comply with USCG regulations".

 

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/CG-ENG-4/PFDSel/

https://www.boatus.org/life-jackets/types

 

https://mustangsurvival.com/pages/pfd-classifications

https://www.nrs.com/nrs-matik-inflatable-pfd/pltz

Interesting. This is the closest I've seen to a government agency having some sort of rule or law on them. I have one of the Onyx vests- I guess I need to read the label when I get home today. 

 

 

 

[VolFan]

I don’t understand the thought of buying an inflatable to stow it. If you’re just going for compliance get a cheaper foam vest. Neither helps you when stowed.

[T.J.]

New Jersey states type V must be worn at all times underway. See top of page 15 Type V Hybrid. 

 

https://www.nj.gov/njsp/info/pdf/marine/021606-boating-safety-manual.pdf