Life Jacket Law

[Charcoal]

Point well taken...Thanks!

[Stevo]

Here is MD regs straight from the book!


Children’s Life Jacket Requirements
All children under the age of 7 must WEAR a United States Coast Guard approved
Life Jacket (Type I, II, III or V) while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet in
length on Maryland waters. Recreational vessels include: motorboats, sailboats, canoes,
kayaks, rowboats, and any other device capable of being used for transportation on the
water, when the vessel is being used for other than commercial purposes.
The life jacket must be the proper size for the child and must be in serviceable condition.
This requirement does not apply when a vessel is moored or anchored or, when a child is
below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
Also, a child under the age of 4 or a person weighing less than 50 pounds must wear a
life jacket that features additional safety precautions, as appropriate for an infant, toddler,
or young child, so as to:
• Hold the child securely within the life jacket, including a strap that is secured between the child’s legs to fasten together the
front and back of the life jacket;
• Maintain the buoyancy of the child, including an inflatable headrest or high collar; and
• Ensure the ready accessibility of the child from the water, including a web handle.
This does not apply to a vessel that is moored or anchored or a child who is below deck
or in an enclosed cabin.

[cvax]

Does anyone know how this law applies to surfers both in the ocean surf and paddling in the bays?  Also for stand up paddleboarders, kitesurfers, and sailboarders? 
I've never seen surfers wearing life jackets....

[jack1747]

Here is MD regs straight from the book!


Children’s Life Jacket Requirements
All children under the age of 7 must WEAR a United States Coast Guard approved
Life Jacket (Type I, II, III or V) while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet in
length on Maryland waters. Recreational vessels include: motorboats, sailboats, canoes,
kayaks, rowboats, and any other device capable of being used for transportation on the
water, when the vessel is being used for other than commercial purposes.
The life jacket must be the proper size for the child and must be in serviceable condition.
This requirement does not apply when a vessel is moored or anchored or, when a child is
below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
Also, a child under the age of 4 or a person weighing less than 50 pounds must wear a
life jacket that features additional safety precautions, as appropriate for an infant, toddler,
or young child, so as to:
• Hold the child securely within the life jacket, including a strap that is secured between the child’s legs to fasten together the
front and back of the life jacket;
• Maintain the buoyancy of the child, including an inflatable headrest or high collar; and
• Ensure the ready accessibility of the child from the water, including a web handle.
This does not apply to a vessel that is moored or anchored or a child who is below deck
or in an enclosed cabin.

Note: The age was raised to 13 in April 2010....

[cvax]

I've seen the MD regs... It still doesn't clarify how it applies to surfboards, paddleboards, sailboards, or kiteboards.

It seems as though the law needs to be rewritten to include these devices and should take into the consideration whether the operator is "attached" to the a "positive flotation" vehicle. 

What is the sense in wearing a life jacket when surfing on a board the far exceeds floatation requirements and it is attached to your leg.  Also, "NO" surfers wear life vests in Maryland Waters and it is never enforced.

[jack1747]

The folks I see here are almost always wearing a wetsuit.  As I found out this year when I started to ocean swim a wetsuit provides flotation...

I have never seen laws saying folks need parachutes to base jump but most wear them... 

[tugcapt]

I've seen the MD regs... It still doesn't clarify how it applies to surfboards, paddleboards, sailboards, or kiteboards.

It seems as though the law needs to be rewritten to include these devices and should take into the consideration whether the operator is "attached" to the a "positive flotation" vehicle.  

What is the sense in wearing a life jacket when surfing on a board the far exceeds floatation requirements and it is attached to your leg.  Also, "NO" surfers wear life vests in Maryland Waters and it is never enforced.

From the Maryland DNR Boating booklet:

Life Jacket Requirements for Sailboards
Persons operating sailboards may meet the life jacket requirements by using:
1. Neoprene wetsuit or dry suit, or
2. Closed-cell, foam design, padded chest, waist or seat harness, or
3. A combination of 1 and 2.
Between October 15 and May 15 inclusive, persons on sailboards must wear a neoprene
wet or dry suit that covers the entire torso of the body.

And Maryland COMAR:
08.18.04.02
.02 Life Saving Equipment.

A. The operator of each vessel not subject to inspection by the Coast Guard shall be required to carry one lifesaving device of a type approved by the Coast Guard for each person aboard.

B. In this regulation the term "vessel" has the meaning stated in COMAR 08.04.01.25 and includes any sailboat, ice boat, sailboard, canoe, kayak, rowboat, paddle boat, raft, or any other device capable of being used as a means of transportation on water or ice.

C. The operator of a sailboard may meet the requirement set forth in §A, of this regulation, by wearing the following equipment so that positive buoyancy is provided to the operator:

(1) Neoprene wetsuit or drysuit;

(2) Closed-cell foam design padded chest, waist, or seat harness; or

(3) Combination of the equipment specified in §C(1) and (2), of this regulation.

D. From October 15 to May 15, inclusive, an operator of a sailboard shall wear a neoprene wetsuit or a drysuit which covers the entire torso of the body.

E. This regulation does not apply to any person participating in a sanctioned exhibition, regatta, marine parade, tournament, or any other vessel competition or event for which the Secretary or the Secretary's designee has granted written exemption.

[cvax]

I have never seen laws saying folks need parachutes to base jump but most wear them... 

Respectfully jack, this makes no sense as the very act of base jumping already involves a parachute and I'm sure "All" base jumpers wear them or you're just a jumper.

[cvax]

From the Maryland DNR Boating booklet:

Life Jacket Requirements for Sailboards
Persons operating sailboards may meet the life jacket requirements by using:
1. Neoprene wetsuit or dry suit, or
2. Closed-cell, foam design, padded chest, waist or seat harness, or
3. A combination of 1 and 2.
Between October 15 and May 15 inclusive, persons on sailboards must wear a neoprene
wet or dry suit that covers the entire torso of the body.

And Maryland COMAR:
08.18.04.02
.02 Life Saving Equipment.

A. The operator of each vessel not subject to inspection by the Coast Guard shall be required to carry one lifesaving device of a type approved by the Coast Guard for each person aboard.

B. In this regulation the term "vessel" has the meaning stated in COMAR 08.04.01.25 and includes any sailboat, ice boat, sailboard, canoe, kayak, rowboat, paddle boat, raft, or any other device capable of being used as a means of transportation on water or ice.

C. The operator of a sailboard may meet the requirement set forth in §A, of this regulation, by wearing the following equipment so that positive buoyancy is provided to the operator:

(1) Neoprene wetsuit or drysuit;

(2) Closed-cell foam design padded chest, waist, or seat harness; or

(3) Combination of the equipment specified in §C(1) and (2), of this regulation.

D. From October 15 to May 15, inclusive, an operator of a sailboard shall wear a neoprene wetsuit or a drysuit which covers the entire torso of the body.

E. This regulation does not apply to any person participating in a sanctioned exhibition, regatta, marine parade, tournament, or any other vessel competition or event for which the Secretary or the Secretary's designee has granted written exemption.

I never saw this before and was never quoted this by any DNR police I've encountered when I asked them the question regarding life vests and surfers. 

Thanks for tugcapt your in depth knowledge... I don't believe my MD Boaters course booklet contained this information.   I'll have to look a little closer!  I knew one of you guys would have the information!!!

I literally was on the phone for an hour and a half today to the DNR, getting transferred no less than 5 times and still couldn't find someone to give me that answer or direct me to reading material which addressed it.  Sad.... 

Thanks Again tugcapt!

[Crabbyd]

With a lot of research, this is the best place to find what you are looking for. This is the legislative codes for MD and this is the only thing I would take as gospel.

http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/

[tugcapt]

You also need access to the Federal Code of Regulations  http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=%2Findex.tpl


Some Maryland Comar's refer to the FEDERAL SAFE BOATING ACT of 1971, TITLE 33 SUBCHAPTER S so the link above would take you there. If the Comar refers to shipping, or inspecting vessels, TITLE 46 applies.

Comar's for DNR are  http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/subtitle_chapters/08_Chapters.aspx  Look for updated links as laws change or they are renumbered.

You almost need a law degree these days to get in a boat or tie a chicken neck to a string.   

[jack1747]

Respectfully jack, this makes no sense as the very act of base jumping already involves a parachute and I'm sure "All" base jumpers wear them or you're just a jumper.

 

[Crabslayer]

Friend of mine and his family were cited a few years ago by a DNR officer for not having a life preserver when they were floating down a river on inner tubes out Western MD.