NYS Life Jacket Regulations

[Baron49]

Navigation Law Updates

Life Jacket Wear Requirements

Beginning November 1, 2009, Section 40, Subdivision 1 of the Navigation Law shall be amended by adding new paragraph (e), which reads as follows:

No owner or operator of a pleasure vessel less than twenty-one feet, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks shall permit its operation, between November first and May first, unless each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely fastened United States Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of an appropriate size when such vessel is underway.

Failure to wear a lifejacket on such vessels will be considered a violation under Section 73-c if the Navigation Law and is punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100, applicable to either the operator and/or the owner of the vessel.

From NYS website  http://nysparks.com/recreation/boating/navigation-law.aspxe

[Mike Cork]

That's interesting that there is a date associated with the requirement? I reckon that's because of water temperatures?

[Baron49]

Yes Mike is it due to the cold water.  The water cools off very quickly in the Fall and will drop into the 40's by late Fall or Early winter.   Water temps after Ice Out in the Spring can be in the 30's and it takes a long time for it to warm into the 50's.   With water temps this cold you would not last long in the water even with a life jacket.

[Mike Cork]

Makes sense, just never seen it done that way. Some of the big waters you all have I can see where a rescue could take a while and in cold water there just isn't time, especially if your struggling to stay afloat.