06-18-2006, 03:14 PM
Lifesaving devices found lacking in some boats (2006-05-31)
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers are not seeing what they would like when it comes to the safety of Minnesota boaters. There seems to be a number of people who don't have the correct number or type of personal flotation devices, commonly called life jackets, life vests or PFDs on board their watercraft.
"I regularly see three problems," said Milaca-based DNR Conservation Officer David Schottenbauer. "Folks take the boat out for the first trip of the season and forget the PFDs; they are unaware they need a throwable PFD for boats 16 feet and longer; or they incorrectly assume a boat cushion counts as a primary PFD for a person on a boat."
On all boats, except a sailboard, regardless of length (including canoes, kayaks and duck boats) there must be a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable PFD (life jacket) for each person on board. Type IV throwable devices, such as boat cushions, are no longer acceptable primary lifesaving devices.
If the boat is 16 feet or longer (except canoes and kayaks), one U.S. Coast Guard approved Type IV throwable flotation device, such as a boat cushion or ring buoy must be immediately available on each boat. In addition to wearable life jackets, a boat cushion or ring buoy has been required on boats 16 feet or longer in Minnesota since 1996.
In spite of some adults forgetting about the life jacket laws, officers report children under 10 are doing a great job wearing their life jackets in compliance with the Minnesota law that became effective in 2005. That regulation requires children under 10 wear a life jacket when boating unless on a boat with a licensed captain, or a craft that is anchored and being used as a platform for swimming. The other exception for the child PFD law is if the child is below decks such as in a cabin cruiser.
Officers also report that a few parents have been buying nonapproved flotation jackets, suits and swimming aids for their children to wear while boating, but that these do not fulfill legal requirements. The DNR is reminding adults to check the label for U.S. Coast Guard approval before putting it on the child for a day of boating. Children found wearing their life vests while boating are eligible for a PFD Panda certificate handed out by DNR officers and county sheriff's deputies, with an attached coupon good for a free Dairy Queen treat.
Violation of any of the life jacket laws can bring fines and fees of more than $100 for each occurrence.
For more boating safety information, people may obtain a copy of the "Minnesota Boating Guide" by contacting the DNR at (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367) or by downloading it from www.dnr.state.mn.us.
(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2006. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Web Site (online). Accessed 2006-6-18 at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/sitetools/copyright.html)
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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers are not seeing what they would like when it comes to the safety of Minnesota boaters. There seems to be a number of people who don't have the correct number or type of personal flotation devices, commonly called life jackets, life vests or PFDs on board their watercraft.
"I regularly see three problems," said Milaca-based DNR Conservation Officer David Schottenbauer. "Folks take the boat out for the first trip of the season and forget the PFDs; they are unaware they need a throwable PFD for boats 16 feet and longer; or they incorrectly assume a boat cushion counts as a primary PFD for a person on a boat."
On all boats, except a sailboard, regardless of length (including canoes, kayaks and duck boats) there must be a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable PFD (life jacket) for each person on board. Type IV throwable devices, such as boat cushions, are no longer acceptable primary lifesaving devices.
If the boat is 16 feet or longer (except canoes and kayaks), one U.S. Coast Guard approved Type IV throwable flotation device, such as a boat cushion or ring buoy must be immediately available on each boat. In addition to wearable life jackets, a boat cushion or ring buoy has been required on boats 16 feet or longer in Minnesota since 1996.
In spite of some adults forgetting about the life jacket laws, officers report children under 10 are doing a great job wearing their life jackets in compliance with the Minnesota law that became effective in 2005. That regulation requires children under 10 wear a life jacket when boating unless on a boat with a licensed captain, or a craft that is anchored and being used as a platform for swimming. The other exception for the child PFD law is if the child is below decks such as in a cabin cruiser.
Officers also report that a few parents have been buying nonapproved flotation jackets, suits and swimming aids for their children to wear while boating, but that these do not fulfill legal requirements. The DNR is reminding adults to check the label for U.S. Coast Guard approval before putting it on the child for a day of boating. Children found wearing their life vests while boating are eligible for a PFD Panda certificate handed out by DNR officers and county sheriff's deputies, with an attached coupon good for a free Dairy Queen treat.
Violation of any of the life jacket laws can bring fines and fees of more than $100 for each occurrence.
For more boating safety information, people may obtain a copy of the "Minnesota Boating Guide" by contacting the DNR at (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367) or by downloading it from www.dnr.state.mn.us.
(Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2006. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Web Site (online). Accessed 2006-6-18 at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/sitetools/copyright.html)
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