November 1st mandatory PFD

[reelfitter]

https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/news-2023-10-05-boater-update-mandatory-winter-pfd-wear/

Not sure if link is going to work.
November 1st all passengers must wear a PFD while underway on vessels less than 26ft. Inside a cabin is exempt if cabin is permanent.
So, looks like trolling or even slow moving with bunker schools are included.

[Stanton327]

Call me crazy, but last time I checked a life vest would not prevent hypothermia if you were to fall overboard. What next, require all on deck to wear a 4 mm wetsuit??

[Duffman]

I’m all against big brother watching over us but this makes alotta sense.

Falling over and being alone is no joke. And I know first hand.

[AndyS]

I could see under maybe 16 feet, but 26 feet !!!
Had to wear life jackets when I did the spring float trip in Pennsylvania.

[Broad Bill]

My take. Aside from the tragic event a few weeks ago at the mouth of the Manasquan, where this new reg wouldn't apply anyway since the vessel involved was 31 ft, when is the last time anyone remembers someone drowning during winter months falling overboard. And by the way, I guess we're to believe people on boats 26 ft. or greater don't fall overboard.

I don't agree with any law that dictates individual choices for everyone to address issues that might impact .00000000000001% of the overall population.

Regulators will say if one life is saved it's worth it. You can say that regarding just about anything. Most people who die in house fires die from smoke inhalation, not the fire itself. Does that mean everyone inside a house should be required to have an oxygen tank and mask on when at home.

Andy your story about a float trip is different. Anyone fishing a river, especially the Delaware if that's where you were, should have life vests on or readily available. Different conditions and risks completely.

[Billfish715]

Too many small boats and not enough law enforcement. Most small boats are out of the water during those months with the exception of the early spring months when small boaters target stripers (mostly). Still, it's the overly-concerned do-good legislators who can't let go of their control. Accidents do happen but not to the extent that the new mandate seeks to eliminate. Give the adults in the room some credit for having responsibility to take care of themselves without interference from "Big Brother". Is this now going to be overseen by the state police or the coast guard or the Div. of F&W? I doubt if all three will be involved. Certainly, the Coast Guard won't be involved unless they are recovering a body or vessel. The state police will patrol the areas close to their home port and not much farther. That leaves F&W that is mostly a land-based operation. If you feel the need to wear a PFD, go ahead. If not, don't fall overboard.

[reelfitter]

Let’s face it, a PFD isn’t going to protect you from hypothermia! The biggest advantage I see is a diver won’t have to down a wetsuit to extract your lifeless body from the water. Whoever made this mandate must have invested interest in inflatable PFD’s.

[Gerry Zagorski]

What next, your shoes must be tied at all times? :D

[Tuna Tales]

I like to shop local however with inflation through the roof I thought this link could help here:

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-am24-auto-manual-inflatable-life-vest-2-pack

These are USCG approved.


Joe T.

[Broad Bill]

Have to love the picture in the link. A maybe 16 ft. flat bottom duck boat (if that) with a tiller, overloaded with duck hunting paraphernalia, a large dog, an overweight guy standing up holding on to two ropes with a sizeable wake being thrown off. That guy doesn't need a PDF, he needs a course on safe boating. One lunatic decides to overload his boat and throw all safety precautions to the wind and all recreational boaters will be burdened with more government restrictions and control of people's lives. I'm all for safety as most are but I'm more for the rights of private citizens to make intelligent decisions on their own and practice common sense. Anyone whose spent anytime on the water know there's a lot of boaters who have no right operating a boat but the ones who do shouldn't be punished for their shortcomings and the reality is those same people this regulation is targeted at are going to ignore it so without enforcement the only thing accomplished by this is punishing and inconveniencing the wrong people.

[AndyS]

I think more people drown in the summer months than the winter.

[shrimpman steve]

I must have missed the event at the manasquan

What happened

[Detour66]

It's good that everyone should wear a vest under way especially if your solo. It's common sense. That being said to mandate this just s**ks. It make no sense for Nov 1 - May. It's a big no-no and it's just more regulation on our freedoms in the name of protecting us.

[Broad Bill]

I must have missed the event at the manasquan

What happened

Don't want to post a video here. You can search it on Facebook or internet. Manasquan beach cam caught the whole thing.

Father and his two sons coming in the inlet at night when Lee was passing offshore. Captain got disoriented at the mouth, hesitated, stopped turned broad side and was rolled by a 10-12 ft breaker. One son tragically died, father and other son were barely rescued floating on a cooler while being pushed into the inlet with incoming tide. Didn't appear anyone was wearing pfd's.

Tough to watch, son was 22 years old.

[shrimpman steve]

Got it bill. Thanks. That is a tragic.

[Gumada]

Just seems to me there are far more beach goers drowning at the shore than boaters...maybe floaties are in order for all sun bathers...see where I’m going with this ?

[Capt. Debbie]

"underway" does NOT include anchored. Not worth much. And Recreational vessels only. Which is most everyone of us. Throw a line off bow to look anchored while drifting?


NYS has same law but limited to 20 feet and under.




https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/news-2023-10-05-boater-update-mandatory-winter-pfd-wear/

Not sure if link is going to work.
November 1st all passengers must wear a PFD while underway on vessels less than 26ft. Inside a cabin is exempt if cabin is permanent.
So, looks like trolling or even slow moving with bunker schools are included.

[NoLimit]

Anchored in a current is when you need a vest. Drifting with the current means you and the boat will be floating together.