Ralph, I agree with you about the USCG but some states require that an approved PFD be worn in boats such as kayaks. Further, it was local law enforcement (Deputy Sheriffs?) that forced the 1998 West Coast Symposium to pull all demo boats (operating within 100 yards of the beach) off the water until someone could purchase and distribute whistles for all (even though there were rescue boats and expert/advanced paddlers swarming all over). The Coast Guard isn't likely to be the problem -- They have better things to do then enforce the letter of the law. Also, local cops might also insist that an approved PFD be "accessible" or on the deck so throwing a cheapie into a your kayak might not work... Eric -----Original Message----- From: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com [mailto:rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 1999 5:14 PM To: Paddlewise Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Reflective Tape This whole issue of putting reflective tape on a PFD or adding pockets or zippers or anything is a specious argument. Does anyone think for a second that USCG crew members are going to have any idea of what is original to your PFD? They are not exactly carrying around catalogs with pictures of all the models of PFDs past and present and specific specs.. However, if you are absolutely worried about a possible violation (which again I can't see happening at all), then get one of those cheapie orange horse collar PFDs that cost around 10 bucks and throw it into your kayak. Remember the only requirement is that you have an approved PFD accessible in your boat. Then wear the PFD you want with all the bells and whistles you want to add. The thing is that the Coast Guard will be so happy to see you wearing any PFD at all that they won't examine it nor will they press you to the point that you will need to whip out that "inspection" PFD. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Eric Sonett wrote: > > Ralph, > > I agree with you about the USCG but some states require that an approved PFD > be worn in boats such as kayaks. Yes, local regs may be tougher than those of the Coast Guard. > > Further, it was local law enforcement (Deputy Sheriffs?) that forced the > 1998 West Coast Symposium to pull all demo boats (operating within 100 yards > of the beach) off the water until someone could purchase and distribute > whistles for all (even though there were rescue boats and expert/advanced > paddlers swarming all over). Well, that is a fed requirement i.e. boats have to have x number of emergency signaling devices and one of these is a whistle. There is no reg that it has to be on a PFD, just somewhere in the boat. The local officials were in their right to call people on that. I see far too many rental boats going out without any semblance of signalling gear. While it may be too much to risk or ask that the boats come with flares etc (a bit dangerous) certainly a whistle would pose no danger to a new or inexperienced paddler other than the possibility of swallowing (all the more reason for a big storm whistle). > > Also, local cops might also insist that an approved PFD be "accessible" or > on the deck so throwing a cheapie into a your kayak might not work... Accessible is never defined anywhere, so a cop who wants to play hard ball could say that it was not accessible if inside the cockpit with you. However, before we get lost in some more specious arguments, remember the point here was that of making changes in a PFD and the likelihood that no law enforcement officer, be he/she federal or local, will have any clue whether reflective tape was on the PFD originally or not. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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