New Boating Law - US Coast Guard - Must wear kill switch starting April 1st

**CatFan** · 03-24-2021, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by DoyleAlley

Note that this law currently applies only to federally controlled waterways (i.e. it is a federal ticket). So far, only two states have adopted the law making it a state offence ticketable by state agencies too - Alabama and Texas. Hopefully, more states will quickly adopt it so that it can be enforced everywhere. I think it is a great thing. I've seen way too many Youtube videos of boats circling the guy that was thrown out.

I think this will result in a huge uptick in sales of the wireless kill switches. Much easier to not have to remember. I seldom forget to hook it up, but I regularly stand up with it still hooked up.

**Jamesdean** · 03-24-2021, 09:34 PM

been thinking of retrofitting my old Evinrude with a MOB kill switch.

**catchNgrease** · 03-25-2021, 06:54 AM

I'm surprised they ain't talking about making it mandatory for trolling motors as well. Imagine trolling in 50 degree water and trying to catch your boat making a mile an hour.

Sent from my E6810 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

**DoyleAlley** · 03-25-2021, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by catchNgrease

I'm surprised they ain't talking about making it mandatory for trolling motors as well. Imagine trolling in 50 degree water and trying to catch your boat making a mile an hour.

Sent from my E6810 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

While trying to catch up with a slow moving boat is certainly a problem, that really isn't what the law was trying to prevent. The real danger has always been getting run over by a fast-moving boat running in circles.

**shadow** · 03-25-2021, 09:46 AM

I thought this law had been in effect. I wear mine all the time.

**artcarney_agr** · 03-25-2021, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by DoyleAlley

While trying to catch up with a slow moving boat is certainly a problem, that really isn't what the law was trying to prevent. The real danger has always been getting run over by a fast-moving boat running in circles.

I believe this law also heavily impacts lawsuits resulting from an operator falling overboard and the circling boat then damaging property or injuring people afterward. Lawyers will clean up on these cases now with this law in place.

**artcarney_agr** · 03-25-2021, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by shadow

I thought this law had been in effect. I wear mine all the time.

Not in Kentucky. The current law only requires jet ski operators to have the kill switch attached to the operator.

**Jamesdean** · 03-25-2021, 08:44 PM

My 1961 E-rude didn't come with one, but seriously thinking of putting one on it...Age has a way of not letting us be as nimble as we once were...

**tcounty** · 03-26-2021, 05:38 PM

Good idea , terrible law. I wear mine 90% of the time just like my seatbelt. Still don’t think there should be a law for everything no matter what the good intentions were.

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**Clint** · 03-29-2021, 07:43 PM

If anyone wants to upgrade an older motor I have a kill switch (NO/NC) with the lanyard. I bought it when I was building a boat but abandoned the project when my health declined. I'm at the north end of Kentucky Lake. PM me.

Thread: New Boating Law - US Coast Guard - Must wear kill switch starting April 1st

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