RBOC Supporting California Update to PFD Regulations

RBOC today submitted formal comments to the Division of Boating and Waterways in State Parks, supporting the adoption of proposed amendments to the personal flotation device [PFD] provisions in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 4, Chapter 1 (CCR) Sections 6656.2, 6656.4, 6565.5, 6565.6, and 6565.7.

RBOC supports the objective of the amendments to:

1. Remove references to type codes found on PFDs which in turn will facilitate future incorporation by reference of new industry consensus standards for PFD labeling that more effectively convey safety information to boaters and is a step toward harmonization of USCG regulations with PFD requirements in Canada and in other countries. These regulatory changes will align CCR with federal statute and provide consistency throughout the state on use of PFD terminology. 

2. Move the requirements found in Title 14 CCR 6567.7 (a) to section 6565.5 to ensure boaters understand what “readily accessible” means if they are over 13 years of age and choose not to wear a PFD, and to more clearly define what “readily accessible” means. 

3. Add definitions of “personal flotation device” and “wearable PFD” consistent with 33CFR Subpart B—Personal Flotation Devices § 175.13 to ensure regulatory language found in CCR is consistent throughout the state on use of PFD terminology.

RBOC Supporting "Fix-It Ticket" Legislation

RBOC supporting SB 904 [Monning] that would establish fix-it tickets for certain boating offenses including:

• Failure to have the boater card

• Failure to have the vessel identification number displayed

• Failure to have a vessel registration sticker applied Failure to have a personal flotation device[s]

• Failure to have fire extinguishers and their markings

Take Action – contact Senator Monning and let him know you support SB 904: click here

Governor Signs RBOC-supported PFD Bill into Law

The Governor today signed into law RBOC-supported personal flotation device [PFD] legislation that will enhance safety on the state's waterways.

AB 638 authored by Assembly Member Jim Frazier [D-Oakley] prohibits a person from operating a motorboat, sailboat, or vessel of any length unless every person on board under the age of 13 is wearing a PFD while the vessel is underway.

There are specific exceptions for children under the age of 13 who are in an enclosed cabin, are tethered to a sailboat, are engaged in emergency rescues, are participating in specified organized events, or are operating certain federally-regulated vessels.

The provisions of the bill will take effect on January 1, 2016.

RBOC-supported PFD Measure Proceeds to Governor

The Legislature today has sent to the Governor for his consideration RBOC-supported personal flotation device [PFD] legislation that will enhance safety on the state's waterways.

AB 638 authored by Assembly Member Jim Frazier [D-Oakley] would prohibit a person from operating a motorboat, sailboat, or vessel of any length unless every person on board under the age of 13 is wearing a PFD while the vessel is underway.

There are specific exceptions for children under the age of 13 who are in an enclosed cabin, are tethered to a sailboat, are engaged in emergency rescues, are participating in specified organized events, or are operating certain federally-regulated vessels.

The Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments this morning by a preliminary vote of 71 to 0. The bill previously passed the Senate on June 22 by a bipartisan 37 to 0 vote.

RBOC-supported PFD Legislation Passes Senate Committee

With RBOC support and testimony, legislation expanding the requirement for children under 13 to wear a personal flotation device has passed the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water. The preliminary vote is a bipartisan, 7 to 0 vote in favor of passage.

AB 638 is authored by Assembly Member Jim Frazier [D-Oakley]. The measure would amend Harbors and Navigation Code Section 658.3 to expand the requirement for children under 13 to wear a PFD to boats over 26 feet, rather than just boats 26 feet and under.

It is important to note that the requirement to wear a PFD would continue to apply while the vessel is underway, unless the child is either restrained by a harness tethered to the vessel, or is in an enclosed cabin.

RBOC also supports the logical and reasonable provision of AB 638 that would amend the definition of “enclosed cabin” to mean a space on board a vessel that is surrounded by bulkheads or canvas, and covered by a roof.

It is also important that the following two practical exceptions set forth of Section 658.3 would continue:

(1) This subdivision does not apply to a person aboard a personal watercraft or a person being towed behind a vessel on water skis, if that person is a performer engaged in a professional exhibition, or preparing to participate or participating with authorization pursuant to a United States Coast Guard permit or other permit granted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 268 in an official regatta, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition.

(2) In lieu of wearing a United States Coast Guard-approved wearable personal flotation device as described in this subdivision, a person engaged in slalom skiing on a marked course or a person engaged in barefoot, jump, or trick waterskiing may elect to wear a wetsuit designed for the activity and labeled by the manufacturer as a water ski wetsuit. A United States Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device as described in this subdivision shall be carried in the tow vessel for each skier electing to wear a water ski wetsuit pursuant to this paragraph.

As amended in today's hearing, the bill would also not apply to a person operating a  "passenger vessel" as defined in section 2101(22) of Title 46 of the US Code, or a "small passenger vessel" as defined in section 2101(35) of Title 46 of the US Code.