New Rules of the Road...

[chumbley]

I do my best to avoid amateur hour on the lake. We were out last Friday night, and early Monday AM, but avoided the busy times.

Too many boats, too much traffic to relax, too rough to enjoy, all of the anchor spots are crowded, and way too many people who haven't a clue what they are doing. Like watching a horror movie - you know somebody is going to get it - you just don't know the details...yet.

Hopefully they are all gone until the 4th. Aquapalooza should be another treat - but we are going to man up and do that one.

 

[jcoll]

I started reading this thread thinking it might be about Marylands' new rule on life vest for young passengers. This subject however does bother alot of us. I know all the compelling reasons not to but, I think there really should be some form of mandatory education or licensing for boaters. I operate my boats as if my life and others' lives depend on it. Come to think of it - they do. What a concept. I keep debating on whether to carry on board but, until now I've declined for a number of reasons one of which is I'd probably be in jail now for deadly assault with intent to kill one of these stupid SOBs.

 

[skibum]

New rules? I wasn't aware that we had new ones this year in Maryland. I sure hope that they don't conflict with my rules: Kids must wear PFDs whenever the boat is docked and the engine is running, or at all times if away from port. I do allow them to remove their PFDs if we are anchored somewhere and they are behaving themselves in the cockpit or cabin. If they want to go on the swim platform or bow, then the PFDs go back on. I also make them wear PFDs whenever they are swimming in anything other than a swimming pool.

Do I need to study the new law or are my rules in compliance?

 

[Rono007]

New rules? I wasn't aware that we had new ones this year in Maryland. I sure hope that they don't conflict with my rules: Kids must wear PFDs whenever the boat is docked and the engine is running, or at all times if away from port. I do allow them to remove their PFDs if we are anchored somewhere and they are behaving themselves in the cockpit or cabin. If they want to go on the swim platform or bow, then the PFDs go back on. I also make them wear PFDs whenever they are swimming in anything other than a swimming pool.

Do I need to study the new law or are my rules in compliance?

Same rules I adhere to on Candlewood Lake.

 

[jcoll]

Sorry, but I can't figure out how to attach a link to this post so I copied from DNR. I'm a techno-dummy.

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Governor O'Malley Signs Legislation To Protect Children On Boats

New Law Requires Children Under 13 to Wear a Personal Flotation Device


Annapolis, MD (April 15, 2010) — Governor Martin O’Malley today signed a bill into law to strengthen protection of children on Maryland waterways. Under the new law, effective immediately, any child under the age of 13 is required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while aboard a vessel that is underway. The law will also require children under the age of 16 to possess a certificate of boating safety education before they can operate a vessel unless they are supervised by an adult or someone 18 or older who has a boating safety certificate, effective Oct. 1.

“As a State, nothing we do is more important than protecting the lives of our children,” said Governor O’Malley. “By raising the age at which a child is required to wear a life vest and improving boating safety education, this legislation will do just that.”

Formerly, any child under the age of seven had to wear a PFD on a recreational boat 21 feet or smaller, unless the boat is moored or anchored or the child is below deck in an enclosed cabin.

“We firmly believe this new legislation will help us prevent boating fatalities,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “Even one boating-related death is unacceptable. We are doing everything we can to keep our boaters – and our children – safe.”

The State averages 12 boating related fatalities a year. In 2009, Maryland had 17 boating related fatalities;16 of the victims were not wearing PFDs.

“A life jacket is the single most important piece of safety equipment, but it doesn’t work unless you wear it,” said NRP Superintendent Colonel George Johnson. “This law will provide an added measure of safety for our children boating on Maryland waters. “

Raising the age requirement puts Maryland in line with federal regulations and 34 states, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Washington, DC. The federal regulations do not supersede the state, but the National Transportation Safety Board strongly encourages states to update their PFD requirements.

The legislation was supported by the U.S. Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety Board, Safe Kids USA, National Boating Federation, National Safe Boating Council, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and the Marine Retailers Association of America.

Existing Maryland law requires that anyone born on or after July 1, 1972 must have a Certificate of Boating Safety Education in order to operate a mechanically propelled vessel on Maryland waters. NRP offers both in-person and on-line boating safety courses to receive that certificate. For more information go to http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/safety/basiccourse.asp

The full bill can be viewed at http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/bills/sb/sb0092t.pdf.

April 15, 2010

Contact: Josh Davidsburg

410-260-8002 office I 410-507-7526 cell
jdavidsburg@dnr.state.md.us​

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov




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[Gunn]

New rules? I wasn't aware that we had new ones this year in Maryland.
...
Do I need to study the new law or are my rules in compliance?

You should probably read the above article; whether you think you are above and beyond or not, it's always wise to know exactly what they are.

 

[skibum]

Yep. Read it. I'm cool. :thumbsup: