US Coast Guard Regulation

[Bduck]

This is a new law I have been following since mid January. It was posted up on another forum but since its forbidden JUJU to use a link to that forum I am adding official links of US Coast Guard. The thread was started by a coast guard member about a recent law passed that covered boats up to 26' operators must wear the engine kill lanyard with boats capable of producing 115lbs static thrust. There is near 300 posts which one can only imagine complaints & gripes but at the same note very legitimate questions that coast guard member responded. I know this will be moved but decided to put it in the general board here as it is a safety issue.

Post by US Coast Guard member-There was recent law passed that will require the wearing of an engine cut-off switch (ECOS). Outreach on the importance of the ECOS and this new requirement is important. Here is the text of the law, and as always, I'll keep you posted as we go along.

SEC. 8316. ENGINE CUT-OFF SWITCHES; USE REQUIREMENT.

(a) In General.--Section 4312 of title 46, United States Code, is

amended--

(1) by redesignating subsections (b), ©, and (d) as

subsections ©, (d), and (e), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:

``(b) Use Requirement.--

``(1) In general.--An individual operating a covered

recreational vessel shall use an engine cut-off switch link while

operating on plane or above displacement speed.

``(2) Exceptions.--The requirement under paragraph (1) shall

not apply if--

``(A) the main helm of the covered vessel is installed

within an enclosed cabin; or

``(B) the vessel does not have an engine cut-off switch and

is not required to have one under subsection (a).''.

(b) Civil Penalty.--Section 4311 of title 46, United States Code,

is amended by--

(1) redesignating subsections ©, (d), (e), (f), and (g) as

subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively; and

(2) inserting after subsection (b) the following:

``© A person violating section 4312(b) of this title is liable to

the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than--

``(1) $100 for the first offense;

``(2) $250 for the second offense; and

``(3) $500 for any subsequent offense.''.

© Effective Date.--The amendments made in subsections (a) and (b)

shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this

section, unless the Commandant, prior to the date that is 90 days after

the date of the enactment of this section, determines that the use

requirement enacted in subsection (a) would not promote recreational

boating safety.


Coast Guard Announces New Law Requiring Use of Engine Cut-off Switches | Coast Guard News

Engine/Propulsion Cut-Off Devices (uscgboating.org)