Life Jacket Required

Figured I'd also post this here as it will be a big topic for driftboats...
 
while I was in LP I read in the Lake Placid newspaper an un noticed bill will most likely be passed to law. Starting Nov. 1 2009 (if passed) everyone will be required to wear an approved PFD in any watercraft under 21' in length from Nov-1 until May-1 . Don't matter how old or young one is, if it's a canoe, kayak ,raft , float tube or motor boat under 21' you Must WEAR your PFD durring that time period. After May-1 and until Nov -1 you will not be required to wear it but rules as they apply now.

The theroy behind that time period is water temp. and survival rate. In those cold waters you will loose use of your functions much quicker and chance of survival is much lower..

I think it's not a bad idea but why not just make it year round ? Less chance of getting a ticket because you forget the dates.
I will be investing in new inflateable PFD's which will be a pretty big expense but still cheap compared to possibly saving a life.  

Thoughts ?

A coverall type float suit is the way to go.
Just like a snow suit.
Can keep you warm and keep you alive.
When the water temps are in the 30-40*f your time in the water is just a matter of minutes. When temps are in the 30's ones hart can stop because of the sudden temp change. CPR a must for you and your buddy.
Chris

ORIGINAL: Gottumguide

I think it sucks!
are we headin torwards communism or what?

No--just common sense.

Commiensum ? You bet. Be better if, dog forbid, something were to happen and a private insurance company refused to pay your family or protect you in a lawsuit by a clients family. Capitalism at its best. That's the American way!

 
gottum, it's not a salmon river target rule but a state wide proposed bill.
there have been many deaths just this past year from boaters on waters within that time frame. Which is prompted the bill and really I don't see nothing wrong with it. One is already required to have a PFD on board right ? So now all they are saying is to wear it during that period. No needed extra expense.
If they just wanted to write more tickets that would be easy , just enforce the current regs. I don't think that is the intent.

One note that I was unaware until it happened to a fellow member this spring. An inflatable PFD is ONLY legal if WORN. Otherwise it is not a legal PFD and you could get a ticket as was found out.

here are the regs. as they stand now but if the bill passes it will be law to wear the device. You can always go above for comfort but not below for regulation.
If you say 95% don't want to wear them is it due to comfort ? I can see that , who really wants to wear that type I orange bulky styrofoam thing anyway. Just a question but where does it say it must be a type I PFD for the SR ? If it becomes law do you think you would loose clients for the sake of their safety and your business ? I dont think I would. I don't really know about freedom being taken away on this. Other people are put at risk towards rescue and recovery when someone has fallen overboard esp. without a PFD on in cold waters, it may not have happened to you but it has happened.


NY BOATING REGULATIONS:
Every pleasure vessel including canoes, kayaks and rowboats operated upon the waters of NYS must have onboard one United States Coast Guard approved wearable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on the vessel.
The state of New York requires one wearable Type I, II, III, or V PFD for each person aboard a vessel. Ensure PFDs are readily accessible.
One Type IV U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD must be on board vessels 16 feet or longer and readily accessible, in addition to the above requirement.
Type V PFDs are approved but must be worn to be considered legal.
Flotation devices that are ripped or in poor condition are not considered approved.
All PWC occupants must be wearing their PFD.
Any person towed behind a vessel must be wearing a PFD.

Gottum while I agree that it is gubbament adding more stupid regs I took issue with your calling it communism. That is a stretch.

Question while you have not had a bad accident and know of no Dboat drownings, me either by the way, do you know of any dunkings or boats that have gone down in sweepers or such.  I seem to recall that and it could easily have ended death in higher colder water.

Gottumguide am I wrong or did they have to at least 1 time lower the flow to get a Dboat unstuck above the island at the lower end of the Snagger hole. I'm getting old and the memory gets fuzzy but I seem to recall it happening.

I saw one laid over once up there in very scary flow. Wish I had taken a picture now. It was trapped against a sweeper. I know guys out west sometimes capsize drifters.

ORIGINAL: Gottumguide

I think it sucks!
are we headin torwards communism or what?

I did not know saving lives was communism, I thought it was common sense!

Eagle Ed

I was on vaca for a while. Gottum did your reply get deleted or something?
Do you know of any Dboats sinking, capsizing or getting tangled in sweepers on the SR?
Being on the river every day I'm sure you would know if it really has happened.

You need a whistle too? Wouldn't it be easier to cast one of those Salmon River Crickets into the trees & reel myself to dry land?

This could be the new mafia hit thing.
"Yo Vinnie- I hired you a fishing boat. The guy rows the boat- you don't gotta worry about nothin. Just reel em in".