Hb1045

[Knomad]

HB1045 relative to requiring a powerboat operator to wear an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) while operating certain powerboats traveling over headway speed has passed and adopted.

[codeman671]

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE



In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four



AN ACT relative to requiring a powerboat operator to wear an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) while operating certain powerboats traveling over headway speed.



Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:



1 New Section; Powerboat Engine Cut-Off Switch. Amend RSA 270 by inserting after section 30-c the following new section:

270:30-d Powerboat Engine Cut-Off Switch.

I.(a) "Engine cut-off switch (ECOS)" means a system of lanyards, electronic switches, fobs, or similar devices manufactured specifically for the purpose of disabling propulsion or a vessel engine when the operator is unexpectedly displaced from the vessel's helm.

(b) "Headway speed" means the slowest speed that a boat can be operated and maintain steerage way.

(c) "Enclosed cabin" means a space on board a vessel that is surrounded by bulkheads and covered by a roof.

II. No person shall operate a powerboat less than 26 feet long, or outboard engine with greater than 115 pounds of thrust or 3 horsepower, at greater than headway speed unless the person is wearing an ECOS.

III. Paragraph II shall not apply if:

(a) The main helm of the vessel is installed within an enclosed cabin.

(b) The vessel or outboard engine was manufactured prior to 2020 and was not equipped with an ECOS.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Basically if its less than 26' long and/or has an outboard over 3hp you are wearing a lanyard. If older than 2020 and isn't equipped with a shutoff you are exempt.

The good news is the C-nile is exempt! Rock on Capt Steve :)

[tis]

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE



In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four



AN ACT relative to requiring a powerboat operator to wear an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) while operating certain powerboats traveling over headway speed.



Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:



1 New Section; Powerboat Engine Cut-Off Switch. Amend RSA 270 by inserting after section 30-c the following new section:

270:30-d Powerboat Engine Cut-Off Switch.

I.(a) "Engine cut-off switch (ECOS)" means a system of lanyards, electronic switches, fobs, or similar devices manufactured specifically for the purpose of disabling propulsion or a vessel engine when the operator is unexpectedly displaced from the vessel's helm.

(b) "Headway speed" means the slowest speed that a boat can be operated and maintain steerage way.

(c) "Enclosed cabin" means a space on board a vessel that is surrounded by bulkheads and covered by a roof.

II. No person shall operate a powerboat less than 26 feet long, or outboard engine with greater than 115 pounds of thrust or 3 horsepower, at greater than headway speed unless the person is wearing an ECOS.

III. Paragraph II shall not apply if:

(a) The main helm of the vessel is installed within an enclosed cabin.

(b) The vessel or outboard engine was manufactured prior to 2020 and was not equipped with an ECOS.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Basically if its less than 26' long and/or has an outboard over 3hp you are wearing a lanyard. If older than 2020 and isn't equipped with a shutoff you are exempt.

The good news is the C-nile is exempt! Rock on Capt Steve :)

I looked it up just before you posted this. I should have waited. :laugh: Lucky Steve

[ishoot308]

I wonder if wireless electronic cut off switches are allowed?? Anyone know??

Dan

[Breakwater]

Looks like the wireless ones are acceptable in the definition of Engine cut off switch.

Marinas will start making some $$$ on those installs!

I just looked it up and an amendment shows trolling as an exception as well.

[codeman671]

At the end of the day its a USCG/Federal law from 2021 that NH is now supposed to enforce.

I haven't, and typically don't wear one but I guess I will be. This article states that electronic versions are accepted by the USCG.

https://www.boatingmag.com/story/how-to/new-boating-law-requires-use-of-engine-cut-off-switches/

[AC2717]

So I have a 1989 15 foot skiff with a 70hp and a 1995 FourWinns 24 Footer with 290hp.

So according to this law both older than 2020, I do not need to have a ECOS?
is this only if it is not equipped? if it is equipped with one, and older than 2020 does that obligate you to use it?

Im not asking whether right or wrong to wear it or to debate for or against, I am asking for interpretation/rule of the law

[John Mercier]

Only if not equipped.

[ITD]

Another Nanny state law.....

[fatlazyless]

Using a safety lanyard-kill switch ....... https://www.wmur.com/article/lake-winnipesaukee-boat-crash-new-hampshire-720/44599678 ...... could have prevented this run-a-way boat situation on Wednesday, July 20, 2023 near Round Island in Gilford at 10:30-pm.

Probably, the boat was equipped with a safety lanyard-kill switch but the driver didn't bother to attach it to himself and then he got thrown off the moving boat, or something!

[John Mercier]

How so? Clearly others could be hurt.

[steve-on-mark]

I looked it up just before you posted this. I should have waited. [emoji23] Lucky SteveYou know, the C-Nile is equipped with a lanyard, but I don't use it. When I am doing high speed runs and get thrown from the helm, I usually regain consciousness after a few minutes, and as I'm enclosed can always find my way back to the wheel and get her under control. The bald guy in the Fountain ( you've all seen the video ) should only be so lucky!

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

[tis]

You know, the C-Nile is equipped with a lanyard, but I don't use it. When I am doing high speed runs and get thrown from the helm, I usually regain consciousness after a few minutes, and as I'm enclosed can always find my way back to the wheel and get her under control. The bald guy in the Fountain ( you've all seen the video ) should only be so lucky!

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

You are too funny!:laugh::laugh:

[chachee52]

Using a safety lanyard-kill switch ....... https://www.wmur.com/article/lake-winnipesaukee-boat-crash-new-hampshire-720/44599678 ...... could have prevented this run-a-way boat situation on Wednesday, July 20, 2023 near Round Island in Gilford at 10:30-pm.

Probably, the boat was equipped with a safety lanyard-kill switch but the driver didn't bother to attach it to himself and then he got thrown off the moving boat, or something!

Wasn't that runaway boat longer than 26ft? If so, than this rule doesn't apply to that situation. If not than yes it probably would have helped prevent more damage.
I'm sure there is some kind of formula they used, but curious why 26 ft was the cut off for the rule. My 24 ft is pretty deep and doesn't go very fast, so it would take a lot for me to get thrown off the helm or out of the boat.
I'll just have to get an extender for the lanyard so I can go up in the bow to sunbath while crossing the broads. I'm sure Amazon has something that can help me with that

[John Mercier]

As Codeman pointed out...
It is more than likely housekeeping.

By keeping rules/regulations uniform... it is easier on everyone.

[ApS]

I have an excellent view of the exact area where an under-aged operator died while operating a Jet-Ski. (The same area where both a piling dock and a wooden Hacker Craft Laker were crushed by a 50-foot hit-and-run Sea Ray).

Another Nanny state law.....

Out-of-state violators caused both events above. (Maybe a few NH residents rate scofflaw status).

All it takes is one incident--or one violator--to disrupt law-abiding Winnipesaukee boaters.

So far, sailcraft aren't in those numbers...

:look:

[Descant]

...
I'm sure there is some kind of formula they used, but curious why 26 ft was the cut off for the rule. My 24 ft is pretty deep and doesn't go very fast, so it would take a lot for me to get thrown off the helm or out of the boat...

ECOS is a federal charge. Per USCG:
The four classes of boats are Class A (under 16 feet), Class 1 (16 to less than 26 feet), Class 2 (26 to less than 40 feet), and Class 3 (40 to less than 65 feet).

Thus, it applies to Class A and 1.