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MFF US Northeast => Massachusetts => Topic started by: scooper47 on Sep 15, 2022, 07:19 AM

Title: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: scooper47 on Sep 15, 2022, 07:19 AM
Every year on Sept. 15, I post a reminder that everyone must wear a life preserver in a canoe or kayak from today until May 15 in Massachusetts. The EPO gives out tickets for violations.
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: Ryan51993 on Sep 15, 2022, 08:54 AM
Thank you for this. A couple years ago I tried getting on goose pond in Lee on the 15th without a life jacket while an EPO was there at the ramp. I hadn't thought to bring it because it was 80 degrees out and I'm a good swimmer. She told me if she had seen me on the water I would have received a citation. Now I always bring one just to be safe, probably a good idea anyway.
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: stripernut on Sep 15, 2022, 02:26 PM
Thanks for the reminder! Once, an EPO waited 3 hours for me to come in from fishing in my canoe. He got downright mad when I showed him I was wearing a Coast Guard Approved inflating fanny pack... I had to tell him to give me a ticket after 20 minutes of arguing with him that it was legal and he was wrong when he said MA did not recognize it as legal (they do)... He must have looked it up as the next time I saw him he would not make eye contact with me and left in a hurry...
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: lowaccord66 on Sep 16, 2022, 01:04 PM
Should be worn in a canoe/kayak all the time! 
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: PikeKing23 on Sep 16, 2022, 01:49 PM
Should be worn in a canoe/kayak all the time! 
That's the law in CT
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: Ryan51993 on Sep 16, 2022, 02:27 PM
That's the law in CT
But motorcycle helmets aren't required. Go figure.
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: Steve H. on Sep 16, 2022, 04:03 PM
But motorcycle helmets aren't required. Go figure.

 :D :D :D
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: Steve H. on Sep 16, 2022, 04:03 PM
Should be worn in a canoe/kayak all the time!

Agree.
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: lowaccord66 on Sep 16, 2022, 04:49 PM
Here's a good one to know....no auto-inflaters for kids under 16. 
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: KingPerch on Sep 16, 2022, 05:43 PM
PFD’s should be worn in any state or country. Just makes sense…..
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: PikeKing23 on Sep 17, 2022, 07:43 AM
What is scary is that a boating license is not required in MA. A 16 year old kid can drive a 36' 300hp boat with no required training.  :o
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: stripernut on Sep 17, 2022, 01:40 PM
Quote
Should be worn in a canoe/kayak all the time!

I can understand where that is coming from, but I would hate to have missed out on all the many fun hours as kids we spent (living on a lake) flipping a canoe, swimming under it, and all the other things that we did, but would have been impossible with a PFD on...

I would rather let it be up to the parents and individual than have another law... Like walking on ice, I don't want anyone telling me when I can or can't... This may sound harsh, but it is better for the gene pool in the end... Don't get me wrong, I wear a PDF when appropriate, often even when wading a big river, just don't think anyone needs to tell me, my kids, or grandkids when we need to.
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: Ryan51993 on Sep 17, 2022, 05:10 PM
I can understand where that is coming from, but I would hate to have missed out on all the many fun hours as kids we spent (living on a lake) flipping a canoe, swimming under it, and all the other things that we did, but would have been impossible with a PFD on...

I would rather let it be up to the parents and individual than have another law... Like walking on ice, I don't want anyone telling me when I can or can't... This may sound harsh, but it is better for the gene pool in the end... Don't get me wrong, I wear a PDF when appropriate, often even when wading a big river, just don't think anyone needs to tell me, my kids, or grandkids when we need to.
Couldn't agree more. People should be able to make their own decisions regarding their own health and safety. Period. I'd also rather the police/government/etc focus on actual crimes instead of hassling someone who's not harming anybody.
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: scooper47 on Sep 18, 2022, 06:38 AM
Couldn't agree more. People should be able to make their own decisions regarding their own health and safety. Period. I'd also rather the police/government/etc focus on actual crimes instead of hassling someone who's not harming anybody.

I spent a good part of my life in Georgia, where there are no life preserver laws. The number of drownings was much higher than here. Often, drinking was involved, and that causes impaired judgment. Many victims I read about in the newspapers did not know how to swim; none wore a life preserver. One guy was on his truck when it rolled back the ramp into the water; he drowned less than 20' from shore.

Yes, it was their decision. But preventable deaths also involve economic, social, and emotional costs. What about a mother at home when her husband decides his kids don't need a life preserver?
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: Ryan51993 on Sep 18, 2022, 06:42 AM
I spent a good part of my life in Georgia, where there are no life preserver laws. The number of drownings was much higher than here. Often, drinking was involved, and that causes impaired judgment. Many victims I read about in the newspapers did not know how to swim; none wore a life preserver. One guy was on his truck when it rolled back the ramp into the water; he drowned less than 20' from shore.

Yes, it was their decision. But preventable deaths also involve economic, social, and emotional costs. What about a mother at home when her husband decides his kids don't need a life preserver?
So you're telling me the guy in the truck should have been wearing a life preserver? Or are you telling me that I deserve to have nanny laws telling me what I can and can't do because some drunks who likely don't follow the laws anyways got themselves killed? If you need the government to make decisions for you that's fine, apparently a lot of people can't think for themselves especially in Massachusetts. At this point why don't we just eliminate anything remotely dangerous, everything from too much sugar to driving a car. Think of the economic, social and emotional costs of some dude with kids eating himself into heart failure and its 100% preventable if only the government would step in. I probably sound like I'm just being a jerk but the point is, when is enough enough? We lose more freedom each and every day in this country. I personally think education and responsibility is the answer, not government overreach.
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: gotagetm on Sep 18, 2022, 06:55 AM
I don't believe so...I live in NY
Title: Re: Canoe / kayak reminder
Post by: stripernut on Sep 18, 2022, 07:23 AM
Quote
What about a mother at home when her husband decides his kids don't need a life preserver?

Sound like "Dad" wants to help the gene pool...