Super User J Francho Posted January 24, 2012 Super User Posted January 24, 2012 In NY, all occupants of any boat underway, 21' or smaller must wear a PFD at all times From 11/1 through 4/1. Quote
Al Wolbach Posted January 26, 2012 Posted January 26, 2012 In NY, all occupants of any boat underway, 21' or smaller must wear a PFD at all times From 11/1 through 4/1. J Franko, I don't understand this one at all. Can you only die in cold water? Quicker I know but? Or <21' boats? Only underway? I don't intend to attack you northern folks but it seems you have law makers with no real problems to solve or they just want to write intrusive laws. The no lead I can somewhat understand but this I can't. Is there some logical reason I have overlooked?...........................Al Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 26, 2012 Super User Posted January 26, 2012 A string of easily preventable deaths, both to victims and rescuers prompted the law. By "underway" their definition is anything other than moored or anchored. Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted January 26, 2012 Super User Posted January 26, 2012 I think hypothermia will set in faster in colder water. I don't know what the Florida law is, I've been offshore twice, Saturday and Wednesday. 3 footers saturday and 5' yesterday, it was rough, yet I saw absolutely no one wearing a pfd, whether moving or drifting, boats of all sizes. I've never understood why no one wears one, including myself and I've been on the water for 60 years. I do think there should be a law and if one is already in place it should be enforced. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted January 27, 2012 Super User Posted January 27, 2012 I've never understood why no one wears one, including myself and I've been on the water for 60 years. I think you answered your own question. You haven't been affected in anyway by not wearing a PFD. Quote
bigbassctchr101 Posted January 27, 2012 Posted January 27, 2012 Yea, i'm not all up for enforcing the life jacket rule myself... I understand its for your own good and everything. But, I look at it a little like a seatbelt. Why should we HAVE to be forced to wear one? So I don't die in a wreck? I can understand that if my projectiled body was a health hazard to innocent bystanders once I flew out the window, but... I think that should be my right to be stupid as long as it will not hurt anyone else. Saying that you have to wear a life jacket borders too close to saying, you cannot smoke because it could kill you, or all them other on the fence decisions that people do or don't do but would live longer if they did one over the other. In most tournaments we do have to wear them while being under power of the gas motor. Perfectly fine with that, I pay to fish in their tournament, they get to make whatever rules they want...dumb or not. If I don't like it, its my right not to fish it. I personally do wear a life jacket when running the big motor if its widy and have a lot of big waves, but thats about it. Would also make since that the captain of an offshore boat would have to wear one when guiding (or at least someone that could stay alive to be responsible for other members of that boat). But due to insurances, I would hope a captain of a guided trip would make passengers wear it anyway. Other than that....this is America. We should have the right to be stupid if it doesn't affect others in a harmful way. Quote
scrutch Posted January 29, 2012 Posted January 29, 2012 Yea, i'm not all up for enforcing the life jacket rule myself... I understand its for your own good and everything. But, I look at it a little like a seatbelt. Why should we HAVE to be forced to wear one? So I don't die in a wreck? I can understand that if my projectiled body was a health hazard to innocent bystanders once I flew out the window, but... I think that should be my right to be stupid as long as it will not hurt anyone else. Saying that you have to wear a life jacket borders too close to saying, you cannot smoke because it could kill you, or all them other on the fence decisions that people do or don't do but would live longer if they did one over the other. In most tournaments we do have to wear them while being under power of the gas motor. Perfectly fine with that, I pay to fish in their tournament, they get to make whatever rules they want...dumb or not. If I don't like it, its my right not to fish it. I personally do wear a life jacket when running the big motor if its widy and have a lot of big waves, but thats about it. Would also make since that the captain of an offshore boat would have to wear one when guiding (or at least someone that could stay alive to be responsible for other members of that boat). But due to insurances, I would hope a captain of a guided trip would make passengers wear it anyway. Other than that....this is America. We should have the right to be stupid if it doesn't affect others in a harmful way. So kind of a natural selection of sorts. Eventually there won't be anyone that doesn't want to wear a pfd. Quote
Triton Bob Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Because if the boat were to capsize they do not float unless inflated. If your boat sinks they want your life jackets to be on the surface of the water so hopefully you can reach them. I believe you can store your jackets in a compartment as long as it isn't locked/latched. This will allow the jackets to float to the surface if your boat sinks. By the way this is federal law, US Coast Guard Regulations and does not differ from state to state. Well I beg to differ on the regulations. This came up when I took my Captians Course in Ft Lauderdale Fl. The Coast Guard does not normally patrol or respond to "Inland Waters" That is patroled by the FWC and the local Sheiff of the County or Township where the waters are located. Now in most cases the FWC "Florida WildLife Commision" Regulations mirror the Coast Guards but once in a while you'll find a few differences. Lake Okeechobee is patroled by the FWC and the Sheriff. Quote
Triton Bob Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Just one other thing most boaters forget. Those flares. They have expiration dates. If the Coast Guard, Sheriff asks to see them they'll check those dates. Yep, you can get a ticket for that. Quote
Super User Bassn Blvd Posted February 2, 2012 Author Super User Posted February 2, 2012 Very true ^ Here's a kicker for ya. I got stopped AGAIN during my last tournament. This time it was a deputy sheriff from the marine unit. His reason for stopping me? He said there wasn't enough contrast between my FL numbers and the background paint. He said the numbers weren't visible enough from a distance. I said "from what distance, a mile?" I have black numbers on a red background. . Quote
Al Wolbach Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Well I beg to differ on the regulations. This came up when I took my Captians Course in Ft Lauderdale Fl. The Coast Guard does not normally patrol or respond to "Inland Waters" That is patroled by the FWC and the local Sheiff of the County or Township where the waters are located. Now in most cases the FWC "Florida WildLife Commision" Regulations mirror the Coast Guards but once in a while you'll find a few differences. Lake Okeechobee is patroled by the FWC and the Sheriff. I stand corrected! I always have had problems with those "shallow water sailors" rules and regulations.Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they only apply to what are considered navigatable waters.And the only way I know to recognize them is bouys and channel markers, which of course are maintained by the Coast Guard. The Tennessee River chain of lakes is a good example of navigatable waters. Most of these are used for barge traffic. I had my boat searched by a county sherrif at the Harney Pond ramp a few years ago. Still don't know what he was looking for but I had nothing to hide. I have been checked by wildlife folks all over the south but being checked by the sherrif was a first for me.............................Al Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 2, 2012 Super User Posted February 2, 2012 On the Great Lakes, we have the pleasure of being checked by USCG, CG Auxillary, Sheriff, Border Patrol, ECON officers, and DEC Police. Quote
Super User Bassn Blvd Posted February 2, 2012 Author Super User Posted February 2, 2012 On the Great Lakes, we have the pleasure of being checked by USCG, CG Auxillary, Sheriff, Border Patrol, ECON officers, and DEC Police. Geez'us, do you ever get the chance to fish?haha Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 2, 2012 Super User Posted February 2, 2012 I know most of the guys, so I don't get checked. Last year, I was appraoched by the CG and DEC Po-Po, as soon as they got close enough, they were like, "New boat?" Me, "Yep." "Have a nice day!" Quote
Triton Bob Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 I stand corrected! I always have had problems with those "shallow water sailors" rules and regulations.Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they only apply to what are considered navigatable waters.And the only way I know to recognize them is bouys and channel markers, which of course are maintained by the Coast Guard. The Tennessee River chain of lakes is a good example of navigatable waters. Most of these are used for barge traffic. I had my boat searched by a county sherrif at the Harney Pond ramp a few years ago. Still don't know what he was looking for but I had nothing to hide. I have been checked by wildlife folks all over the south but being checked by the sherrif was a first for me.............................Al Most folks do not realize the power the FWC has in Florida. No other law enforcement officer with exception of the FDLC has more power. These guys can conduct traffic stops, arrest, as well as seize property. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 2, 2012 Super User Posted February 2, 2012 On the Great Lakes, we have the pleasure of being checked by USCG, CG Auxillary, Sheriff, Border Patrol, ECON officers, and DEC Police. This is true. Another way to look at it might me you are fortunate enough to have multiple Federal, State and Local agencies that are trained and ready to provide every type of assistance any mariner might require. A-Jay 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 2, 2012 Super User Posted February 2, 2012 I always have had problems with those "shallow water sailors" Really - Did you tell them you were a "Squid" ? That usually helps. A-Jay Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 2, 2012 Super User Posted February 2, 2012 This is true. Another way to look at it might me you are fortunate enough to have multiple Federal, State and Local agencies that are trained and ready to provide every type of assistance any mariner might require. A-Jay Or shoot us if we try anything hinky, LOL. Quote
Triton Bob Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 I stand corrected! I always have had problems with those "shallow water sailors" rules and regulations.Please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they only apply to what are considered navigatable waters.And the only way I know to recognize them is bouys and channel markers, which of course are maintained by the Coast Guard. The Tennessee River chain of lakes is a good example of navigatable waters. Most of these are used for barge traffic. I had my boat searched by a county sherrif at the Harney Pond ramp a few years ago. Still don't know what he was looking for but I had nothing to hide. I have been checked by wildlife folks all over the south but being checked by the sherrif was a first for me.............................Al It's funny you use the term "Shallow Water Sailors" But the regulations or State Status are pretty much the same whether the vessel is in five feet of water or off shore in two hundred feet. Now once we start talking larger vessels that's a whole other animal. I know in Florida there are plenty of waters with no bouys or channel markers. But vessels are still supose to follow the "rules of the road" so to speak. Quote
Al Wolbach Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 It's funny you use the term "Shallow Water Sailors" But the regulations or State Status are pretty much the same whether the vessel is in five feet of water or off shore in two hundred feet. Now once we start talking larger vessels that's a whole other animal. I know in Florida there are plenty of waters with no bouys or channel markers. But vessels are still supose to follow the "rules of the road" so to speak. "Shallow water sailors" is a loving phase the Navy uses to recognize our friends in the Coast Guard, but not a phase they see the humor in................While in the Navy I logged several hundred hours flight time with the Coast Guard flying Sea Air Rescue missions. I had many friends in the USCG and truely admire their work. Just don't usually tell them so.......................Al Quote
Al Wolbach Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 On the Great Lakes, we have the pleasure of being checked by USCG, CG Auxillary, Sheriff, Border Patrol, ECON officers, and DEC Police. At the risk of confirming stupid, What are ECON and DEC Police? Quote
Super User slonezp Posted February 2, 2012 Super User Posted February 2, 2012 On the Great Lakes, we have the pleasure of being checked by USCG, CG Auxillary, Sheriff, Border Patrol, ECON officers, and DEC Police. I've been boarded once by the USCG, been confronted by them a few times for fishing too close to the nuclear and water treatment plants on Lake Michigan and confronted by Chicago PD. Only happens really early or really late in the season when no one else is on the water. Quote
Triton Bob Posted February 3, 2012 Posted February 3, 2012 I think you were misinformed.Why would you have to wear any vest,regardless which one for it to be legal? I thought kids under a certain age were the only ones who had to wear a vest at all times? My mustang vest says its a type ll. By the way my bass pro mustang inflatable is a type II and does not have be worn. Bob Quote
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