Re: [Paddlewise] PFD Debate (was other things)

From: <dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2000 11:42:07 -0400
|  With respect to having PFD's "handy," "handy" would have to be within
|reach. This would exclude stowing PFD's in a closed hatch area?

Correct the PFD has to accessible and wearable.  One of the people who
started this thread said that they would just buy a PFD and put it in a
hatch.  Go right ahead.  T'aint accessable so you still get a citation.
Many powerboaters will have PFDs that have never been fitted to anyone on
board, are crammed into the side spaces along side the hull, buried
underneath paddles, tool boxes, tackle boxes, fishing rods, empty beer
cans, nets, etc.  When asked about PFD's it takes them minutes to find the
PFD,s get the junk off of them, remove the lures that have hooked into the
PFD, and untagle all the lines wrapped around said PFD.  Once removed, the
PFD is covered in dirt, oil and gas.  And furthermore is likely to be
ripped up.  Not really servicable anymore.

Then they moan and groan about being given a citation......

There could be states that require ADULTS to wear PFDs but I'm not aware of
any.  I think Florida and North Caroline require children in some age
groups to wear PFDs.  Lake Lice operators all but have to wear a PFD since
they don't have a place to stow that vest that is really accessable.

Hope this helps...
Dan McCarty




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Received on Sun Sep 10 2000 - 11:24:21 PDT

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