New York Amended Life Jacket Law - Life Jacket Wear Requirements
Staff
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 $100 nor more than $250, applicable to either the operator and/or the owner of the vessel.
On July 11th, 2009 Governor Paterson signed **This law which goes into effect on November 1st 2009**
This new law will raise awareness and has the potential to save lives. Cold water immersion and hypothermia are twin dangers faced by a boater when a boat swamps or capsizes in water temperatures less than 60 degrees F. During the late fall and early spring, waterways have less boat traffic and response by rescue and law enforcement may be slower than in summer months.
*Required on all vessels under 21 feet: This means motorboats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, rowboats, & paddleboats, etc. *Must wear a life jacket from November 1st to May 1st. *All owners or operators must insure that everyone on board is wearing a properly fastened, USCG approved wearable PFD of an appropriate size when the vessel in underway.
As an FYI, at all other times of year, NY law requires the use of a lifejacket when underway for everyone under the age of 12 unless in a fully enclosed cabin and for everyone regardless of age who operates a Personal Watercraft PWC,Jet ski or waterski's.
www.safeboatingamerica.com
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