I kinda felt like a failure......

eli_lilly

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 22, 2005
Messages
435
Re: I kinda felt like a failure......

Here is the link to the type IV throwable. I see where it is required in the boat but I don't see where it has to be within an arms reach. I would be curious to know as well.

From 33 CFR subpart B "Personal Flotation Devices"

=====

? 175.19 Stowage.

(a) No person may use a recreational boat unless each Type I, II, or III PFD required by ?175.15 of this part, or equivalent type allowed by ?175.17 of this part, is readily accessible.

(b) No person may use a recreational boat unless each Type IV PFD required by ?175.15 of this part, or equivalent type allowed by ?175.17 of this part, is immediately available.

=====


-E
 

redone4x4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Messages
1,548
Re: I kinda felt like a failure......

In Nevada the throwable not only has to be accessable but accessable from the helm.

I did not know this......and I just took a refresher boat safety course. huh. :eek:
 

Thad

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
1,028
Re: I kinda felt like a failure......

You forgot "bottle opener."

Never forget that:eek: The fine from the wife is far worse than the fine from DNR for not having a throwable.

Seriously, here in Illinois, you MUST have a throwable. It is not required to be on a rope, but it DOES have to be within arms reach of the helm. If you have to leave your seat to grab it, YOU FAIL! Same with the fire extinguisher, horn/whistle, and life jacket.

I do however keep my jackets stowed while underway. I know it is wrong and if I am ever ticketed I will take it:redface:. Everything else is right where it is supposed to be though:).
 

Splat

Lieutenant
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
1,366
Re: I kinda felt like a failure......

Another thing I learned in a boating course that I never knew was you don't jump in to save someone (hence the need for the throwable device). A drowning person can in a state of panic grab onto you in the water and climb up you as they are gasping for air pushing "you" down under the water.

Worse yet . . . you are alone and you jump in . . . who is minding your drifting away boat :eek:

Reach....throw.......go.

Bill
 

Fisherball

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
470
Re: I kinda felt like a failure......

75 T of P,

I have a 15'8" boat in Ohio that is titled as a 16'. I called Div. of Watercraft & asked them if I need one & they said YES! In Ohio they go by titled length so you could get a ticket. I was told the only way to not need one was to have boat re-titled as 15' 8". I decided it didn't hurt to have one at $10.00 so I bought it.
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: I kinda felt like a failure......

The "readily accessible" standard comes up often, as it is seldom defined, and therefore in the eyes of the officer. We had a discussion here about officers whose standard was, "if you can't have the PFD on and secured in 30 seconds, it's not "readily accessible." I can't say whether it's a good law, but it's a good practice. I've seen how fast boats go down--and think about an engine fire. Whatever you do, don't leave them in the plastic. Some officers may want them out of the white zipper bag, too.
 

RobbyA

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 5, 2010
Messages
306
Re: I kinda felt like a failure......

From 33 CFR subpart B "Personal Flotation Devices"

=====

? 175.19 Stowage.

(a) No person may use a recreational boat unless each Type I, II, or III PFD required by ?175.15 of this part, or equivalent type allowed by ?175.17 of this part, is readily accessible.

(b) No person may use a recreational boat unless each Type IV PFD required by ?175.15 of this part, or equivalent type allowed by ?175.17 of this part, is immediately available.

=====


-E

That still doesn't tell me within arms reach. It seems very open to interpretation. I know it being stowed in the car when you are out on the water is not immediately available, but I can have it out in 10 seconds if stowed. Is ten seconds immediate?
 

mbgaski

Seaman
Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
54
Re: I kinda felt like a failure......

That still doesn't tell me within arms reach. It seems very open to interpretation. I know it being stowed in the car when you are out on the water is not immediately available, but I can have it out in 10 seconds if stowed. Is ten seconds immediate?

You *might* be able to convince an officer that a stowed life jacket is "readily accessible" (really depends on your locale), but the fact that they specifically changed the wording on the throwable from readily to immediately suggests they want it even more accessible. My guess is, based on that wording, if it's stowed, it's a ticketable offense.

Luckily my state's laws are a little less strict:

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) - All boats must have a U.S. Coast
Guard approved wearable type PFD for each person on board or being
towed. Each PFD must be in good condition, readily available and the proper
size for the intended wearer. In addition, boats 16 feet in length or longer
must carry a Type IV throwable device. In South Carolina, any person under
twelve years of age must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III,
or V PFD when on board a class ?A? (less than 16 ft. long) boat.


Just states that we "must carry" one, so stowed is fine. In the case of the wearables stowed seems to meet "readily available" just fine, as virtually everyone I know keeps them tucked away under the deck and the wardens never have an issue with it.
 

JetBote

Seaman
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
69
Re: I kinda felt like a failure......

Don't forget, you can (and will) get a ticket for not having that throwable cushion even if you are the only person on board! good thing you can throw it to yourself! :D

It's not for yourself, it's there for you to THROW to someone in need.
 
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