In the aftermath of the (highly successful) Derby Sweeps and Sculls, President Audrey Novak informs us that the Personal Flotation Device mandate is extending beyond June 1. "Several members were stopped by the Lake Housatonic Authority on Sat for rowing back to the boathouse from the race and not having a PFD on board. They received warning tickets," she reports. "Our understanding of the CT DEP rule differs from that of LHA. Sandy will work with the LHA to get a common understanding, but in the meantime to avoid a ticket you should row with a PFD in the shell if you are unaccompanied by a launch."
While this is getting worked out, if you do not have a PFD already, you can click here to order one that is similar to those you see club members sporting now.
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2 comments:
The ticketing incident had nothing to do with cold water rules, nor the LHA's understanding of the CT DEP regulations. Any vessel operating on inland waters in CT is required to carry a PFD onboard for every passenger. This is true even for racing shells when they are not racing in an organized/managed event. This is nothing new. We rowers often forget this basic rule, because we are simply not in the habit of carrying PFDs onboard, and we rarely get caught because we practice so early in the AM. Please note that inflatable PFDs are not legally considered to be PFDs unless they are worn. This means that if you want to be compliant with CT DEP regulations, you must always wear your inflatable PFD while rowing (even during the warm water months, June 1st through October 1st). The alternative is to carry a non-inflatable PFD on your shell (for example, stowed under the foot stretchers). This is a far more comfortable alternative. When the water gets "cold" again (after Oct 1st), the stowed PFD is no longer legally sufficient and you must then don your inflatable belt to be legal.
I second this comment. It is a Federal law that every vessel must have a PFD on board for every person. Over 90% of drowning deaths in paddle craft such as racing shells, kayaks, etc. are attributed to not wearing a PFD or none on board.
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