Re: [Paddlewise] Palm BAs (PFD)

On Mon, 02 Mar 1998 22:05:45 -0800, you wrote:

>> I have thought about getting a Palm buoyancy aid (PFD) but noticed that
>> they were not US Coast Guard approved. <snip>
>
>Enforcement in my area is nonexistent for paddlecraft, except whenever
>the Sheriff's Marine Patrol is out.  Informally, USCG personnel say they
>are happy people wear ANY PFD, in lieu of none.  Same is true in Canada,
>in my experience.  Used to be a restriction on the color of PFD in
>Canada -- I was paranoid because my USCG-approved vest was the wrong
>color.  Nobody notices. <snip>

I had an interesting chat with Cdn Coast Guard officers - very nice people
BTW, at a recent Canoe/Kayak show and then by telephone today. At the show,
given that I was very pleased with my new Lotus Strait jacket, I was
showing it to an officer when she mentioned that it wasn't approved in
Canada, so I could be fined $200.

Afterwards, I thought of the extensive (water) border between Canada and
the USA and all the water craft that goes back & forth, so I sought some
clarification on the fact that the USCG approved and UL tested Lotus PFD
would not be acceptable (please ignore the practical aspects of this, as it
might never happen in the "real" world of inspections, etc.).  

Anyway, what I was told was that a Cdn had to have a Cdn-approved PFD in
Cdn waters, while an American could have an USA-approved PFD in Cdn waters,
unless it was a Cdn-rented boat then it had to be a Cdn-approved PFD.
Got that???? :-)

In other words, if an American friend and I were sitting in our kayaks on a
Canadian lake in identical boats (his/her bought in the USA and mine in
Canada) and we were wearing identical Lotus PFDs, s/he would be ok and I
would not be. I could be fined $200. If s/he was in a rented Cdn boat but
wanted to wear his/her favorite PFD, that would not be ok, unless there was
also a Cdn approved PFD in the boat (the Northern Ontario Tourism industry
may/may not have been able to modify some of this...)

If the bass fisher from Pennsylvania comes to Canada with boat, motor, PFDs
(USCG, but not CCG approved), etc. that is quite proper because it is
"legal" in the place where the boat was registered.

I am not certain if this is a reciprocal rule; but, imagine that I am going
to the East Coast Canoe & Kayak Symposium (not hard to imagine because I
am) and I am wearing my Lotus Strait jacket which, as mentioned, is USCG
approved.... and I am asked where I am from, so I answer Canada and the
officer then tickets me because my jacket is not approved in Canada,
although all around me are paddlers in quite "legal" and safe Lotus PFDs. 

Could this be an episode of the "theatre of the absurd" if a USCG approved
jacket could attract a US sanction (ticket/fine)? :-) As mentioned, it is
quite unlikely to happen, but I am curious if anyone has any thoughts on
this... most likely the easy solution is for Lotus to gain CCG approval of
its PFDs, but it is also worthwhile for paddlers to be aware of some
possible sanctions depending on the mood of the officer (and his/her
knowledge of the regulations).

Apparently it is possible for me to avoid all of this hassle if I register
my kayak in the USA, so then my PFD will conform to the "registration" of
my boat. Can anyone recommend a good "state" of convenience for my British-
built kayak, with a Canadian paddler, wearing a USCG approved PFD???
<very big grin>

Happy Paddling and see you at the Symposium!
-- 
cheers, Stephen                     stephen.bird_at_superaje.com
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