Life Jackets while docked?

[scipper77]

I was out with my family recently and my wife went to get some food with our 6 month old while I cruised around for a bit. When she returned, she came on board with the baby not in a life jacket. I told her that the baby needed a life jacket right away. She contended that you do not need a life jacket if you are tied to the dock. I thought about it and I'm pretty sure children don't need to wear a PFD if they are below deck, so maybe my wife is right about life jackets while docked. This whole time there was a Sheriff and a coast guard boat about 100 yards away from us talking to each other.

My question is just that. Do children need to wear PFD's while docked? I'm in New York state if that is relevant.

 

[bayliner12]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

dont know about NY but in Cal always while on board 14 or under, i dont think the law is the point here, its the safety of your/our children, whatever it takes to keep them safe!!!

 

[wingless]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

The captain is in-charge.

If the guests object to the rules about PFD or safety, then they should find another activity.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

My grandpa made us kids were one from the time we left the dirt and stepped onto the wood dock until we were back on dry dirt again. I do the same with the kids (under 14).

Does seem kinda like wearing your seatbelt in the driveway tho.

 

[bayliner12]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

except you cant drowned in you driveway, my wifes mother drowned in what we would think was a very simple boating incedent....PLEASE have your kids wear a vest

 

[scipper77]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

It's kind of hard to convince my wife that the baby needs to wear the life jacket while docked if I'm not even sure myself. The problem here is that the 6 month old can't be put down in the life jacket. It becomes a battle of will between what the wife wants and what I want. Marital issues aside, before I put my foot down on this one I need to know what I am talking about.

 

[bayliner12]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

i cant believe there would be "marital issues" when it comes to the safety of your children.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

I know what the safety issues are here, What I need is confirmation of the legal issue. Is it required to wear a pfd while docked??

Believe me if I kick my wife off of the boat then I might as well sell the boat and that aint gonna happen. I just need some info so we can settle this and maintain peace in the family.

 

[bayliner12]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

obviusly either you and or you wife dont know what the safety issues are or you wouldn't of started this post, who cares what the legalities are! these are your kids, why would you both not do what ever it takes to keep them safe, boating is not a game, safety is paramount!!!

 

[45Auto]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

The PFD nazis need to lighten up. If you are that worried about keeping your children PERFECTLY SAFE from everything then keep them at least 20 feet away from all water (pools, ditches, etc) at all times. Forget about boating!

In the real world, reality must be faced sometimes. The child CANNOT be laid down wearing a PFD. Even NY law is smart enough to realize that situations like this may arise. Diapers may need to be changed, etc. NY law says that children under 12 must wear a USCG approved PFD on a vessel less than 65' when UNDERWAY. If you are tied to the dock or anchored you are NOT underway.

NY Boating Law Basics:

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/statelaws/NewYork.html

Bayliner12, you may want to review CA law, you are incorrect on the PFD requirements for CA.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

Stand down bayliner12. My children have ALLWAYS worn there pfd's. She got in the boat without putting it on him first. At that moment we had a problem. Do not confuse being the captain with being a dictator. If there is a disagreement about wearing a PFD, I will look into the issue (like I am doing). If I expect her to listen to me and respect what I say then I'm going to take the time to listen to her side and look into what she says because I respect her.

 

[bayliner12]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

Nazi Hu? thats a term i thought went away years ago??? use common sense my man, who cares what "the law" says.

 

[bayliner12]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

well scipper77, dont worry there is NO confusion here, its a road ive been down and its no fun, I'm only trying to keep you and every one else from having to deal with the terrible heart ache it is to loose a loved one from a very bad decision

 

[bayliner12]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

45auto, recheck your ca laws, i'm at the lake 4-5 times a week, trust me I know the laws

 

[45Auto]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

thats a term i thought went away years ago???

Naw, it's still around. Here's the definition from dictionary.com if you don't know what it means:

(often lowercase) a person who is fanatically dedicated to or seeks to control a specified activity, practice, etc.: a jazz nazi who disdains other forms of music; tobacco nazis trying to ban smoking.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

The PFD nazis need to lighten up. If you are that worried about keeping your children PERFECTLY SAFE from everything then keep them at least 20 feet away from all water (pools, ditches, etc) at all times. Forget about boating!

In the real world, reality must be faced sometimes. The child CANNOT be laid down wearing a PFD. Even NY law is smart enough to realize that situations like this may arise. Diapers may need to be changed, etc. NY law says that children under 12 must wear a USCG approved PFD on a vessel less than 65' when UNDERWAY. If you are tied to the dock or anchored you are NOT underway.

NY Boating Law Basics:

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/statelaws/NewYork.html

Thank you for your reply, I read the rule also but I was not sure what underway meant exactly. I would think it means in motion.

 

[highN'dry]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

If a child or baby were to come aboard my boat while at dock they would have the life jacket on before coming aboard--period--my boat--- I am the skipper--I am responsible--period. Don't like it--go home. You wife needs to be told it is not up to argument--period. What if the baby crawls, drops overboard, he/she can drown by the dock just as fast as two mile out on the lake and then what. That is a life ruining event that I can do without and you and your wife need to have a discussion.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

45auto, recheck your ca laws, i'm at the lake 4-5 times a week, trust me I know the laws

LMAO!!!

You think because you're at the lake 4-5 times a week doing it WRONG it somehow makes it a California law????? I guess I know how far to trust you now ......

From the CA state website:

http://www.dbw.ca.gov/FAQ/BoaterFAQ.aspx#Q3

What is the law for wearing a life jacket?
State law requires all children under 12 years old to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on board a vessel that is 26ft or less while underway. Also, anyone being towed behind a vessel (such as skiing) and anyone riding a personal watercraft must wear a life jacket.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

Scipper77, you are correct, UNDERWAY in the boating world means the boat is moving.

?noun 1. Also, underway. (of a ship) no longer in port, at anchor, etc.; moving.

 

[bayliner12]

Re: Life Jackets while docked?

very well pu highNdry, and 45auto this is from the CA law since your into quoting law
If boating on a vessel that is 26 feet or less, every child 11 years of age or younger must wear a PFD, unless in an enclosed cabin OR restrained by a harness tethered to a sailboat. Children's PFDs must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved of Type I, II, III or V and must be appropriate for wearer's size and weight. Inflatable PFDs are not designed for use by children under the age of 16. A violation of the child PFD law can result in a fine up to $250.

and remember NAZI aint a cool word any more just in case you didn't realize