Life Jacket Laws

[smashdn]

Talked with official at KDFWR this morning. If you have an automatic or manual device then you must have a type that is not and as stated, in view. I still say this is silly. But they don't write the rules they enforce them. If you are fishing by yourself just there won't be anyone in the boat to throw it to you if you should take a dunk.

If you aren't wearing the inflatable full time. Same situation with float coats I think.

Wear the inflatable from the time you get the boat off the trailer to back on and your golden. Still need your throwable though.

Everybody on board must have a PFD. If everyione has the inflatable and wears it the whole time you have stisfied the requirements. The minute you take it off you better have a traditional pfd that you can put your hands on.

Here is a quick glance info page > http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/li...fe_jacket.aspx

And more here> http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/

[RoadToad]

The PFD Manufacturer's Association has an FAQ page at their website that says:

Why do some PFDs have to be worn to meet the carriage requirement?
The Coast Guard requires that some Type V PFDs must be worn in order to meet the carriage requirements. By definition, a Type V PFD has some feature not found on other PFD type, that require special user knowledge about how to use the PFD. By requiring it to be worn, it is more likely that the user is more aware of the special features and knows how to use the PFD properly. Be sure to read the label so that you understand what the special features of that device are and know how to use it. In addition, wearing a PFD greatly increases your safety because you have it on when you need it.
http://www.pfdma.org/faq/default.aspx

[sweetwater]

Talked with official at KDFWR this morning. If you have an automatic or manual device then you must have a type that is not and as stated, in view. I still say this is silly. But they don't write the rules they enforce them. If you are fishing by yourself just there won't be anyone in the boat to throw it to you if you should take a dunk.

That's why if you don't have a reboarding ladder installed on your boat you really should think about getting one. If I'm not mistaken they have been required on new boats the last 2 or 3 years.

[Carter1]

Well Sweetwater, I don't have a reboarding ladder on my boat but I plan to on my next one...whenever that may be

[dissel]

Lets say you have the vest type. You take it off when you get to your spot then start fishing. You are by yourself and somehow you fall in. Who is going to throw it to you?

I have wondered this myself. Not ever fishermen and boater wear their life jackets at all times. Everyone knows where the life jackets are stored, yep in the compartments. If a boat were to wreck what good do the life jackets do in the compartments. Why do we even have to have life jackets on the boat.

[Carter1]

Dissel, we all know the answer to this of course, and that is to wear our lifejackets the whole time while on the water.

[09Z7SC]

How many people besides the op have been ticketed or warned about this by the KDFWR? I have been stopped several times and never have I been told by the CO that I was in violation. Me and my dad both have inflatables and know where the throw cushion is. Until I have a CO ticket me or warn me I will probably continue to operate the same way. I wear my PFD most of the time anyway.

[Hlleonard]

How many people besides the op have been ticketed or warned about this by the KDFWR? I have been stopped several times and never have I been told by the CO that I was in violation. Me and my dad both have inflatables and know where the throw cushion is. Until I have a CO ticket me or warn me I will probably continue to operate the same way. I wear my PFD most of the time anyway.

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kybass1 might have posted a common sense answer to the question in that if you fall overboard and your jacket inflates then you would seem to be in violation after you have gotten back in the boat.