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Capt. Matt Caire · #1 11-12-2009, 11:27 PM

Ok so i have been hearing that there is a new law on wearing a lifejacket with tiller handle motors?? Everyone I Talk to doesnt know the whole story. My Hunting boat is 17 foot with a 35 hp motor. Do i have to wear a lifejacket. Some people are telling me its only 16 ft and under. Others are telling me all tiller handle motors. Does anyone know what the law is??

Bluechip · #2 11-12-2009, 11:37 PM

It's for all tiller handle motors on a Class A boat (Class A is defined as under 16ft.).....

fishinpox · #3 11-12-2009, 11:38 PM

i think regardless of size if it is a tiller motor then u gotta wear a pfd

Bluechip · #4 11-12-2009, 11:44 PM

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES
Every person 16 years or younger on board a Class A(less than 16 feet) or Class 1(16 to less than 26 feet) motorboat or vessel shall wear a coast guard approved life jacket or life preserver while such outboard motorboat or vessel is underway.
The regulation becomes effective August 15, 2009. This law previously stated that children 12 and under were required to wear PFD's.

All persons onboard a Class A motorboat which is being propelled by a hand tiller outboard motor shall be required to wear a USCG approved Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device while the motorboat is underway. A handtiller outboard is described as an outboard motor that has a tiller or steering arm attached to the outboard motor to facilitate steering and does not have any mechanical assist device which is rigidly attached to the boat and used in steering the vessel, including but not limited to mechanical, hydraulic, or electronic control systems. Hand tiller outboard motor shall not mean any type of electronic trolling motor.

BIRD DOG · #5 11-13-2009, 12:20 AM

Im runnin a 17'Flat with a 70 yamadog tiller and just got a ticket for no life jacket!

All tillers and all boats under 16'.

Fishmaster · #6 11-13-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIRD DOG

Im runnin a 17'Flat with a 70 yamadog tiller and just got a ticket for no life jacket!

All tillers and all boats under 16'.

Isent it for people under 16?

longsidelandry · #7 11-13-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishmaster

Isent it for people under 16?

Anyone under 16 MUST wear a lifejacket while the boat is underway.

It's my understanding that everyone in a boat that is powered by a tiller handle no matter what size the boat or motor is, EVERYONE must wear a lifejacket. Also, if the motor is equipped with a kill switch, it must be attached to the driver.

Mediumheavyaction6'6 · #8 11-13-2009, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishmaster

Isent it for people under 16?

it is for people 16 and under not under 16

BIRD DOG · #9 11-13-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishmaster

Isent it for people under 16?

All people in a boat under 16' long.All people in a boat with a tiller handle,it doesnt matter if its a 30' boat if it has a tiller handle you have to wear a life jacket!

adamsfence · #10 11-13-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIRD DOG

Im runnin a 17'Flat with a 70 yamadog tiller and just got a ticket for no life jacket!

All tillers and all boats under 16'.

i believe i would bring a copy of my reg. and ticket and copy of law and get my money back.....was everyone over 16 yrs of age in the boat

coachlaw · #11 11-13-2009, 10:47 AM

I'm beginnin' to think we have ENOUGH laws and it's time to stop making new ones for a while. When I'm home, I'll fight this one by just taking the ticket. I think it's a ridiculous law.

Raymond · #12 11-13-2009, 11:08 AM

Louisiana is number one in the nation for boating fatalities among other rankings. The Legislature passed this law 3 years ago but there are still
plenty of questions about the exact wording. My interpetation is that all boats 16' and under must have a kill switch and life jackets on while underway. I run an 18' tunnel and do not have a kill switch and only wear a jacket when it is dark or foggy. Never have I been ticketed by WLF while on the water and I have been checked plenty of times. Gotta remember that some of these agents don't know their azz from a hole in the ground, subjective interpetation of the law exist with them.

BIRD DOG · #13 11-13-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamsfence

i believe i would bring a copy of my reg. and ticket and copy of law and get my money back.....was everyone over 16 yrs of age in the boat

I broke the law.The law is for All tiller handle motors and all people in a 16' boat or less.In other words if you have a 20' boat with a tiller you have to wear a life jacket!If you are in a 16' boat or less it doesnt matter if its tiller or steering you have to wear a life jacket!Age does not matter for those two laws.The 16 or under law is for ALL boats.

Gerald · #14 11-13-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIRD DOG

Im runnin a 17'Flat with a 70 yamadog tiller and just got a ticket for no life jacket!

All tillers and all boats under 16'.

Bird DOG.....I don't think you broke the law. Go to this link: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/boating...ngregulations/

The law for requiring life jackets is for Class A boats with tiller handles. In the "Personal Floation Devices" thread....is says.....A class A (less than 16 feet)........

So IF [and I am not sure]....class A is a boat less than 16, then your 17 foot boat does not require you to wear a life jacket.

BIRD DOG · #15 11-13-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerald

Bird DOG.....I don't think you broke the law. Go to this link: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/boating...ngregulations/

The law for requiring life jackets is for Class A boats with tiller handles. In the "Personal Floation Devices" thread....is says.....A class A (less than 16 feet)........

So IF [and I am not sure]....class A is a boat less than 16, then your 17 foot boat does not require you to wear a life jacket.

I hope you are correct and if so I will bring proof to court however when I asked the Warden about it bein 17' he said any boat with a tiller!I wasnt wearin the safety lanyard either but he said he would let me slide on that!