Life Jacket Laws

[sdlshop]

Yes they did ask about a horn or whistle. Yes it is in the guide but I didnt read it that way before but I do read it that way now that I know. I copied and pasted the regulation right out of the guide. I seperated the section they are talking about. I feel like they should have actually put in that part that the inflatable type must be worn at all times to be legal, it kind of says that.

(301 KAR 6:020)
For each person onboard a vessel,
federal as well as state law requires a
Type I, II, or III personal flotation device
(PFD) on all boats. Boats 16 feet
and over, except canoes and kayaks, must
also carry one Type IV throwable PFD.
Operators and passengers of personal
watercraft must wear a PFD. Persons
under 12 years of age must wear a PFD
while in the open part of a boat that is
under way.
PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife strongly
recommends wearing PFDs while boating,
especially by children and nonswimmers.
In order for PFDs to be legal, the
following requirements must be met:

? Coast Guard approved: A label with an
approval number will be on the PFD.
Check the label on inflatable types of
PFDs. Some older models meet Coast
Guard approval only when worn.


? Serviceability: All straps, buckles,
zippers, stitching, must be intact and
the fabric should not be rotted. Some
PFDs contain airtight bags filled with
a fibrous material. Squeeze the bags.
If air escapes, destroy the PFD and
replace it with a new one.
? Size: PFDs must fit properly. Read
the label to determine size and weight
restrictions.
? Accessibility: PFDs must be readily
available for immediate use by all
occupants of a vessel. It is advisable
for each person to try on their PFD
before departing so that they are familiar
with the fastening devices and
to assure it is adjusted to the person.
PFDs shouldn?t be stored in the plastic
bags in which they were sold. This
limits access and can promote rotting

[Carter1]

Well, that's news to me too. But then I don't look at every detail in the book. I have always worn mine when motoring but then take it off when I stop to fish. Been doing it that way for more than 10 years since I've had an inflatable. But, if you are just fishing and and are not wearing a regular type of PFD what difference does it make? Something about this law doesn't make much sense.

[bassfishing1974]

Had the same thing happen to us. Water patrol was checking us and told us there are 2 different styles of inflatables, the one that self inflates when in contact with water and the one you have to pull to inflate yourself. The self inflating ones must be worn at all times and the ones you pull yourself do not. This didn't make any sense to us.

[Carter1]

That is what I'm saying. If you don't have one on then it doesn't matter what type it is.

[scrappy52x]

have u notice on FLW on BASS that the guys that wear the inflat. dont take them off when they fish....... thats because every life vest thats not inflat can be use as a throw. but no the inflat. yep yep! like i said can be used as a throw but not a true throw! by laws are stupied!

[flyfish]

have u notice on FLW on BASS that the guys that wear the inflat. dont take them off when they fish....... thats because every life vest thats not inflat can be use as a throw. but no the inflat. yep yep! like i said can be used as a throw but not a true throw! by laws are stupied!

Scrappy got it right. It's because you can't throw it. I always keep maywest or other type "real vests" in the boat in addition to my inflatable. Though I typically wear my inflatable all the time. I'm ex- swim team and avid scuba diver, but it's still a good idea.

[Carter1]

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?

[09Z7SC]

So, even if you have a throw cushion on your boat, you have to have a regular pfd in addition to your inflatable? I wear my inflatable at all times while running, but not when fishing. I did notice that the pros do not take their inflatables off when fishing though.

[Carter1]

Hey 09Z do you think it is because the ones they show are running so much that it is easier to just leave it on? I fished with a couple of BASS pros before during a tournament and they took theirs off when we stopped. I am waiting to hear back from Law Enforcement at KDFWR. When I get an answer I will post it here.

[Tim_T]

Hey 09Z do you think it is because the ones they show are running so much that it is easier to just leave it on? I fished with a couple of BASS pros before during a tournament and they took theirs off when we stopped. I am waiting to hear back from Law Enforcement at KDFWR. When I get an answer I will post it here.

I w2ould say this is more likely, I fished with and been in the boat as a press observer with many of these guys and they will leave them on a lot of they are running from spot to spot, but take them off if they are going to be there for w hile. besides, most of them have several different PFD's in the boat.

[09Z7SC]

I don't know, but I will be putting a spare PFD in my rod locker to be on the safe side.

[smashdn]

These aren't KDFWR laws so much. They don't define what a PFD is, the Coast Gaurd does.

So, even if you have a throw cushion on your boat, you have to have a regular pfd in addition to your inflatable? I wear my inflatable at all times while running, but not when fishing. I did notice that the pros do not take their inflatables off when fishing though.

If you take the inflatable off it is no longer considered a PFD is the rough and dirty of it.

The other PFD has to be out in the open able to be accessed. Can't be in a rod locker or other storage. So if you take off the inflatable you need to have your "tradtional" pfd out able to be gotten to.

I usually put mine over the back of the seat. It is out, able to be gotten to, but not in my way. Throwable hangs over my steering wheel as it is in an aluminum boat with no storage lockers.