Life Jacket Laws

[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.

[Carter1]

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.

[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

[Hlleonard]

Thought this information might keep someone from getting a ticket. Me and a couple of friends went to Green River Lake fishing on Saturaday and was checked by the KDFW. We always where our life jackets while running from place to place and then take them off while we are fishing. We were checked while fishing. They checked license, livewells, fire extingisher, throw cushion, horn, and ect. Then they counted the life jackets out and noticed we had three but asked if we had any more on board the boat, we did in one of the compartments.They asked to see it, it was the standard type I. I have an inflatable type life jacket and they noticed I wasnt wearing it. They said to be legal you must have the inflatable type on at all times while on the water unless you have another one of the standard type I ,II, or III on board. If all three of us had the inflatable types and didnt have them on then we would have to of had 3 of the type I, II, or III on board to be legal. After looking closer at my inflatable it says it must be worn to be legal on the tag. Just thought this might help I didnt know this and have been boating for 35 years. I have only had my inflatable for about 3 years. I assume this will be the law in all states because it is a coast guard approved jacket.

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I have used these for a couple of years but never read the information that came with them fully... I just read the thing and it looks like maybe it is acceptable in a recreational capacity the same as the others but when used on a commercial vessel it has to be worn to be legal... I didn't find anything in the boating guide that specifies the difference... Has anybody else seen this anywhere?

[slimshad09]

Watched the tv guys take them off all the time. Citizens arrest!!

[sweetwater]

Watched the tv guys take them off all the time. Citizens arrest!!

Nip it in the bud.

[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