HaHa HaHa:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 20

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

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Benton, KY
    Posts
    660
    Post Thanks / Like

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


    The US Coast Guard has now made it mandatory to wear the kill switch cord when above idle speed. This applies to any boat with 3 hp or more, and boats less than 26 ft in length.

    Older boats that do not have a kill switch cord are exempt. If a kill switch system is in place, it must be utilized and the cord attached to the boat operator.

    The new law goes into effect on April 1st.

    U.S. Coast Guard Announces New Law Requiring Use of Engine Cut-off Switches | National Safe Boating Council
    Thanks wannabe fisherman thanked you for this post

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Bartlett, TN
    Posts
    7,352
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    It makes sense, thanks for the info.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    6,362
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I fish alone most of the time. Started attaching the kill switch to my pfd a couple of years ago. There are a lot of videos out there that show how fast an accident can happen. Better to be safe than sorry.
    Yes, as a matter of fact, I do have a retirement plan...FISHING!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Sanford, NC
    Posts
    6,697
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Sounds like a good law to me... especially since so many people totally disregard such "common sense" safety measures.
    "Just Like Iron Sharpens Iron... So it is that One Man Sharpens Another Man." Proverbs 27:17

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    KY
    Posts
    1,934
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by artcarney_agr View Post
    The US Coast Guard has now made it mandatory to wear the kill switch cord when above idle speed. This applies to any boat with 3 hp or more, and boats less than 26 ft in length.

    Older boats that do not have a kill switch cord are exempt. If a kill switch system is in place, it must be utilized and the cord attached to the boat operator.

    The new law goes into effect on April 1st.

    U.S. Coast Guard Announces New Law Requiring Use of Engine Cut-off Switches | National Safe Boating Council
    Great idea. Don’t know why anybody wouldn’t wear it if they have it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Benton, KY
    Posts
    660
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jman5626 View Post
    Great idea. Don’t know why anybody wouldn’t wear it if they have it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
    Well, if you think about pontoon boats with smaller engines, most don't wear a kill switch cord on that type of rig. The 25 ft pontoon I drove for years had a 90 hp, and it would do maybe 18 mph on a calm flat day with clean toons. With the big captain chair it had, the likelihood of being thrown out was pretty low, I never did use the kill switch cord on that one.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Bagdad
    Posts
    82
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Not a bad law. I always wear mine when running my Boat. Take it off to Fish when motor not running.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Location
    jasper tx
    Posts
    23
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Same here ill where it when going to my spot to fish then take it off, my family rides with me sometimes and its always better to be safe then sorry.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    SW Indiana
    Posts
    2,738
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Not a bad idea, and I wear mine.

    The law only applies at planing speed, so trolling, maneuvering with the TM and normal fishing movements don’t require the switch attached.
    Thanks hdhntr thanked you for this post

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Rainbow City, AL
    Posts
    230
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    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.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

BACK TO TOP