Unbelievable.....what's next.....helmets when swimming?

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April 19, 2011

Dear California BoatU.S. Member,


Do you enjoy jumping off your boat for a swim in Pine Flat Lake? As of April 1, anyone found swimming more than 100 feet from shore without a life jacket -- including boaters who routinely jump in to try to beat 100-degree-plus temperatures -- could result in a $175 fine as part of the new life jacket regulations put in the place by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which manages the lake.

In addition to life jackets now being mandatory for all swimmers outside of designated swim areas, new USACE regulations say that from April 1, 2011 until October 31, 2011 US Coast Guard approved life jackets must be worn by:

Everyone aboard all non-motorized vessels, regardless of length, at all times.

Everyone aboard motorized vessels up to 16 feet in length, at all times.

Everyone aboard motorized vessels 16 feet in length or larger when underway (except when powered by trolling motor or if you are inside a fully-enclosed cabin or the boat is stationary.)
With nearly 372 million visits a year at the Corps lakes, beaches and other areas, the overall number of Corps water-related fatalities nationwide averages around 150 annually. Boating-related fatalities at Corps facilities nationwide average 32 deaths a year (not including those who voluntarily left their boat to swim).

Unlike state agencies, or even the Coast Guard, the Army Corps can make this kind of change without any public comment. As part of this multi-year study, they have instituted similar requirements in the Pittsburgh area and some lakes in Mississippi. While the word "study" implies a temporary ruling, the Corps says they are considering more permanent life jacket rules for much larger geographical areas in the future.

Because many of our Members have had strong reactions to new government mandates for adults to wear lifejackets, we are sharing this information with you now. Boaters are encouraged to share their own thoughts about these new requirements by sending emails to the Park Manager and their Members of Congress.

You can easily take action by going to www.BoatUS.com/gov/action.

Thank you for being a BoatU.S. member.

Margaret Podlich
Vice President, BoatU.S. Government Affairs
[email protected]
703-461-2878 x8363

For an update on this and other government affairs topics please visit BoatUS.com/gov

Hey Nort...

I live in California too, so this could end up being a potential state-wide ruling on all our lakes and waterways in Cali?

It sure is amazing that the government can spend 100's of thousands of $$$ on these kind of "regulations"...

I agree, unbelievable!

I am on the way to the Boat US link right now to leave my "thoughts" on this!!!!!!

good lord, CA sucks...

Don't follow it, federal laws are passed by congress, not by the USCG.

Its mostly about the revenue they will generate via fines.

Now that is going overboard. Why can't we keep some freedom ?

Corp of Engineers ruling. Guessing this could happen on all waters they control i,e, impoundments caused by their dams etc.

Agreed

God Bless Texas

Actually it's not CA at all...(this time). It's the corps of Enginners. They are doing a 1 year study on this lake. They happen to control it as well. BTW, I think it totally sucks. Pretty soon they will want to make all of us use a helmet just incase we trip.


Darrell.