New PFD rules?

[Misty Blue]

'Got a e-mail from the CG the other day asking to update my public education lesson plans to inform students of the new requirement that all childred 12 years old and under are required to wear a PFD while the vessel is underway. It said that the rule becomes effedtive on August 18th.

Asside of that message I have heard nothing else on the matter. Nothing in the paper or for that mater here, so I called the MP headquarters and the very courtious officer acknowledged that he had heard talk about it but hadn't seen anything official.

I question the need for this rule, I have never heard of a child who drowned from a boat that was underway but if it does nothing more than bring NH laws more into alignment with our neighboring states it's OK with me.

The problem is that if true the rule becomes effective in just a couple of weeks. Many boaters cover the youth PFD rule (over age five) with Type II PFD, I use type I PFDs. You can't get kids to put up with wearing them. They are uncomfortable and way un-cool. So now you have 18 days to get your hands on type IIIs. They are not available!

I have to score 20 youth PFDs of various sizes for commercial use so I can meet the law with the type Is and also keep the kids happy. Most stores are sold out by this time of year, particularly for youth PFDs. Picking up 20 at West Marine prices would cost a pretty penny. Finially one vendor helped me out and is getting quality PFDs (and doing me a favor with the $) UPSed by week's end.

So now that I have rambled:

Does anyone have any more information on this new rule?

And keep in mind that you may have to scramble to get new ones.

Misty Blue.