Life vest rules for kids on cruisers???

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spoolinawdtsi

Cadet
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
11
I have three kids 5,7,9 an i always make them wear jackets but when they are in the front cabin I will let them ride with jackets off.
We also raft up in bout 3ft of water see bottom I will let the two oldest ones go without jackets but the youngest likes his on...lol
What are the rules regarding kids wearing jackets on a cruiser?
 
scoutabout

scoutabout

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
1,568
Re: Life vest rules for kids on cruisers???

Not sure about the law but I'd say your youngest has it right. Kids wear jackets at all times on any boat in any depth of water.
 
roscoe

roscoe

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Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,806
Re: Life vest rules for kids on cruisers???

Federal PFD Wear Regulation for Children: Federal regulations
now require that children under 13 years of age (that are not in a
cabin or below deck) must wear a PFD on all recreational boats while
underway.
 
M

mattttt25

Commander
Joined
Sep 29, 2002
Messages
2,661
Re: Life vest rules for kids on cruisers???

Roscoe- can you provide a link for that? I disagree, but that's something important we all need to know if it's true.

It is my understanding that federal law doesn't dictate use of pdfs, it's a state thing. In MD, kids under 7 on an underway boat less than 21 ft in length must be wearing them. Also doesn't apply if they are below decks.

I have a 1 and 4 yr old. Always wear them underway. When anchored in shallow water, it depends on the situation. I'm usually swimming with the 4 yr old and she may not be wearing it. Or the little one may be sleeping in the cabin.
 
TBarCYa

TBarCYa

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 13, 2005
Messages
781
Re: Life vest rules for kids on cruisers???

It most likely does vary from state to state as here in NJ kids under 13 must have a pfd on at all times the vessel is underway unless in a cabin or below deck.
 
WillyBWright

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
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Dec 29, 2003
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8,200
Re: Life vest rules for kids on cruisers???

Federal laws are in effect in many inland waterways and all coastal waterways. Otherwise it's by state. Most states have versions of the Federal laws.
 
B

bwstein

Recruit
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
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Re: Life vest rules for kids on cruisers???

Here's what I've been able to find. I just posted a similar thread on another forum and got a range of responses. One of the users did finally find the federal regs, though it's not clear how they interact with state regs.

At the very least my belief is that if you are in state waters the state regs apply, otherwise why would the states bother having less stringent regs that would always be trumped by the fed's regs. What's not clear to me is what happens when in federal waters within a state that has less strict regs. Especially since the Coast Guard's own safety site refers you to the state regs.

Here's the CGs own safety site's info (http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/equ_pfd.htm):

Child PFD Requirements

Some states require that children wear PFDs

* applies to children of specific ages
* applies to certain sizes of boats
* applies to specific boating operations

Check with your state boating safety officials.

Child PFD approvals are based on the child's weight. Check the "User Weight" on the label, or the approval statement that will read something like "Approved for use on recreational boats and uninspected commercial vessels not carrying passengers for hire, by persons weighing __ lbs". They can be marked "less than 30", "30 to 50", "less than 50", or "50 to 90".
Click to expand...

And then Here's the Federal Reg (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/33cfr175_06.html ):
TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) PART 175_EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS--

Table of Contents Subpart B_Personal Flotation Devices Sec. 175.15 Personal flotation devices required.

Except as provided in Sec. 175.17 and 175.25:

(a) No person may use a recreational vessel unless at least one PFD of the following types is on board for each person: (1) Type I PFD; (2) Type II PFD; or (3) Type III PFD.

(b) No person may use a recreational vessel 16 feet or more in length unless one Type IV PFD is on board in addition to the total number of PFDs required in paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) No person may operate a recreational vessel under way with any child under 13 years old aboard unless each such child is either-- (1) Wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard; or (2) Below decks or in an enclosed cabin.

Sec. 175.25 Enforcement of State requirements for children to wear

personal flotation devices.



(a) This section applies to operators of recreational vessels on

waters subject to the jurisdiction of any State that has established by

statute a requirement for children of a certain age to wear an

appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard, while aboard a recreational

vessel.

(b) If the applicable State statute establishes any requirement for

children of a certain age to wear an appropriate PFD approved by the

Coast Guard, then that requirement applies on the waters subject to the

State's jurisdiction instead of the requirement provided in Sec.

175.15(c) of this part.
Click to expand...


So which do you follow? Dunno...

Ben
 
S

spoolinawdtsi

Cadet
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
11
Re: Life vest rules for kids on cruisers???

looks like I'm well within the rules! I only let them take there jackets of if they are in the cabin or we are anchored!! But if anchored in deep water I make them all wear jackets unless they are just hangin out on the deck.
BTW I live in Ky
Thanks for the info!!!!!!!!1
 
C

cmcpherson

Banned
Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Messages
310
Re: Life vest rules for kids on cruisers???

Seems real simple to me, kids wear life jackets period end of story while on board my boat, even at rest. Start them young and the first time on a boat and they won't question it. Don't need to worry about the various state laws if they always have them on. Now, in the water swimming that is a personal choice made by the parents based on their beliefs and there childrens swimming ability. I can't always tell everyone what to do even though I try really hard

I always offer life jackets to everyone that gets on my boat, never any sarcasm if they choose to do so.

To me this is kind of like pulling to the side of the road when an emergency vehicle goes by, you just always do it and then no one can ever question your judgement.

Saftey first is a much used cliche and some issues are very complex where saftey is concerned, this is not one of them. Just always do the right thing!!!
 
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