Life Jackets for Children

[Bear Islander]

Starting today children 12 and under must be wearing a PFD.

[VitaBene]

Good!! That is a good rule.

[KTO]

Wow I didn't even know that was under discussion. I did believe that it was a stupid rule before (what was it 3 or 4 years old?).

Good though, it's safer that way.

Wasn't there a higher age a few years ago (Wasn't it 12 at one point in time in the recent past?)

[NightWing]

Previously 5 years and under (under 6).

[ApS]

Based on what we've seen about being visible "in the water", I'd suggest yellow or orange vests. I watched a mom distribute five little PFDs last weekend when getting on plane: all PFDs were black in color.

[Caruso]

Bear Islander, where did you see the 12 year old rule is now on the books? I looked on the Marine Patrol and department of Saftey but there was no mention.

Thanks

[Bear Islander]

New Hampshire PFD Requirement

On June 18, 2007 Governor John Lynch signed into law House Bill 519, changing the minimum age for mandatory wear of PFDs. Currently, children 5 years and under are required to wear a Coast Guard approved PFD, this new law would increase the PFD age requirement to children 12 years and under. This new law will go into effect on August 17, 2007. House Bill 519 may be viewed at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legi...07/hb0519.html

[LIforrelaxin]

I think this is a great thing. I was a little upset a few years back when I went looking and found that life jackets by law where only required until age 5. At least now I know there won't be any arguments until age 12. Of course as my niece and nephew have found out..... There is the law.... and then there is the Captians rule..... I keep them in jackets until the prove to me they are strong swimmers.....

[KTO]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

..... There is the law.... and then there is the Captians rule.....

The captain's word is law

[Bear Islander]

Originally Posted by KTO

The captain's word is law

Except when his wife is also in the boat!

[winnilaker]

One of the reasons the new bill was introduced was from this Boating Safety Alert from National Transportation Safety Board.

http://www.ntsb.gov/alerts/SA_007.pdf

While we didn't quite enact 13, 12 was better than 5. So we have 2 of the 3 recommendations in this report. I wish we could do they the 3rd.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by winnilaker

...While we didn't quite enact 13, 12 was better than 5. So we have 2 of the 3 recommendations in this report. I wish we could do they the 3rd...

Actually we do meet all three. The report you reference recommends "under the age of 13" and NH law requires all children "12 and under" wear PFDs. While the legalese is slightly different, they both say the same....that all children under thirteen must wear a PFD.

[NightWing]

Originally Posted by Skip

Actually we do meet all three. The report you reference recommends "under the age of 13" and NH law requires all children "12 and under" wear PFDs. While the legalese is slightly different, they both say the same....that all children under thirteen must wear a PFD.

Likewise the "5 years and under" is actually under 6.

[Island Life]

Do 12 and unders need to have their life jackets on at all times when they are out on the boat or just when the boat is moving? If we're anchored to fish or swim, can they take them off?

[Caruso]

Was this law based on stats of how many 12 and under kids have drowned in NH in the last X amount of years or is this another law to help me protect my self like the seat belt law, oh yea there isnt one? In my recolection all the people drowning in the last 5 years, in Winni at least, have been over 40. So I ask why is there any age limit for life jackets?

The current seat belt law is 8 and under. My conclusion is there must be less car accidents then boating accidents.

[NightWing]

Originally Posted by Caruso

The current seat belt law is 8 and under. My conclusion is there must be less car accidents then boating accidents.

Wrong. The current law is under 18.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Island Life

Do 12 and unders need to have their life jackets on at all times when they are out on the boat or just when the boat is moving? If we're anchored to fish or swim, can they take them off?

Very good question, and the answer is "...only when the vessel is underway..."

However, hopefully everyone will use common sense and still have flotation devices available and worn when the situation dictates, regardless of whether the vessel is underway or not.

[winnilaker]

Originally Posted by Skip

Actually we do meet all three.

I was actually referring to the 3rd recommendation requiring a boating operator license. We meet the children PFD and the boating safety course requirement but I don't believe NH requires a boating operator license. That's how I read the recommendation, maybe the boating operator license is our certificate.

[NightWing]

Originally Posted by winnilaker

I was actually referring to the 3rd recommendation requiring a boating operator license. We meet the children PFD and the boating safety course requirement but I don't believe NH requires a boating operator license. That's how I read the recommendation, maybe the boating operator license is our certificate.

In New Hampshire, you need a Boating Education Certificate. The term "license" is not used.

[secondcurve]

"Was this law based on stats of how many 12 and under kids have drowned in NH in the last X amount of years or is this another law to help me protect my self like the seat belt law, oh yea there isnt one? In my recolection all the people drowning in the last 5 years, in Winni at least, have been over 40. So I ask why is there any age limit for life jackets?"

Caruso: You should ask Boat Guy 64 what he thinks of the law. I'll bet it saved a few lives last week when 4-kids got dumped into rough waters due to a catistrophic failure of a brand new Cobalt. Finally, the law isn't in place to protect you from yourself, it's in place to protect your kids from you.

[Phantom]

First off -- I am a strong proponent for Life Jackets on children 12 & younger and I'm sure I'll take a lot of "bullets" from the forum for that.

It has always amazed me that NH has had it's mandatory Life Jacket age so low in years past. The rational of the proposed update may be as innocuious as getting the State more in line with the majority of the rest of the States (i.e. seat belt law's). Remember we all say there should be "one" boating licence good for all states? Well then the Laws need to be more uniform.


I also believe many times these (and other) Laws are put in place to protect the ones who travel with an Angel on their shoulder (i.e. the Idiots). Consider a bow rider, 2 or 3 ten year olds -- naturally goofing around -- then you enter the Broads with 3 foot swells and some cross-chop for good measure. I'm personally happy as #ell that I don't have to argue with the kids that "now it's time to put on your jackets" ........ ! We come from Mass -- every child under 12 has always worn a PFD in our boat. And quite frankly, if it's a Toddler -- they get jacketed "on the dock" - I've seen enough adults slip and take a dip getting in or out of a boat - I sure as heck don't want a 5 or 6 yr old down there. Makes for a bad boating day.

I know NH loves to live by the "Live Free or Die" motto -- and I commend that -- but come on -- we're talking common sense here, and child safety. If the parent isn't smart enough to require it -- the State does!! Similar to the requirements before and after getting a drivers license for teenagers (who know and are experts in everything).

[SBC]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

There is the law.... and then there is the Captians rule..... I keep them in jackets until the prove to me they are strong swimmers.....

So long as the Captain obeys the laws. Why stop enforcing it when you feel they are good swimmers? PFDs are analogous to seat belts. Both will save lives but only if you wear them. The use of both doesn't have to stop at the age that the law says. When I see adults wearing their PFDs, I see someone practicing safety and using good common sense.

I believe that this new law puts us back on par with the federal requirements (USCG) for mandatory PFD usage. Less confusion for boaters coming from those states that are already there.