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Life Jacket? I don't need no stinkin' life jacket! - YES YOU DO!
Learn about Life Jackets and how to boat safely in New Jersey
A Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or life jacket is the one of the most important pieces of equipment you need to bring on your boat. More than two-thirds of all boating fatalities are drowning incidents and 90% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. So buy a life jacket that you will wear it could save your life.
How Do Life Jackets Save Lives?
When capsized in rough water.
When sinking in unexpectedly heavy sea conditions.
When thrown from the boat as a result of a collision.
When injured by rocks or submerged objects.
When unconscious from carbon monoxide fumes.
When tossed into freezing water.
When thrown off balance while fishing.
When unable to swim because of heavy or waterlogged clothing.
and the list goes on and on....
There several types of traditional foam flotation devices as well as new inflatable life jackets. Each is designed for different boating activities and water conditions and each has its own maximum buoyancy, performance level, and limitations. You should choose your life jacket based on your boating activities and conditions. Life jackets must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved in order to meet requirements.
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There must be a properly fitting life jacket for each and every person aboard a recreational vessel. Life jackets must be Coast Guard-approved, in serviceable condition and the appropriate size for the intended user, and they are most effective when worn. On a vessel underway, children under 13 must wear an appropriate Coast Guard-approved PFD, unless they are below decks or in an enclosed cabin.
As per the New Jersey State Police:, the minimum requirements are:
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One wearable life jacket (Type I, II, III, or V) for each person on board and one throwable (Type IV) in each boat. Except canoes and kayaks, all boats 16 feet or more in length
Canoes and kayaks of any length and all other boats less than 16 feet in length: One I, II, III, or V PFD for each person on board. Under state law, it is an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250, to operate a vessel unless every child 12 years of age or younger on board is wearing a Type I, II, III, or V Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (life jacket). The law does not apply to: the operator of a vessel on which every child under age 13 is in an enclosed cabin. Inflatable PFDs -
Only certain brands are U.S. Coast Guard approved and some are only appropriate for adults. Proper use of inflatable PFDs, including appropriate age limits, vary by manufacturer. Please review the owner's manual and information pamphlet carefully before purchasing an inflatable PFD. While automatic inflation is not a required feature, inflatables must be equipped, at a minimum, with both manual (pull) and oral (blow) inflation systems.
Children and PFDs:
Child lifejacket approvals are based on the child's weight. Check the "User Weight" on the label, or the approval statement that will read something like "Approved for use on recreational boats and uninspected commercial vessels not carrying passengers for hire, by persons weighing __ lbs". They can be marked "less than 30", "30 to 50", "less than 50", or "50 to 90". Adult-sized life jackets will not work for children. Special life jackets are available. To work correctly, a life jacket must be worn, fit snugly, and not allow the child's chin or ears to slip through.
Some Important Things to Remember:
There must be at least one life jacket for each person aboard
Life jackets must be properly sized for each person aboard
One wearable life jacket (Type I, II, III, or V) for each person on board and one throwable (Type IV) in each boat are required to wear their life jacket under 12
Participants engaged in certain water sports are required to wear a life jacket (typically skiing and personal watercraft operation
Life jackets must be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard in order to meet requirements
Life jackets are grouped into categories called "Types". A life jacket will be a Type I, II, III or V
These life jackets must be readily accessible and not in an out-of-reach location or in original packaging
Any boat 16' and longer (except canoes and kayaks) must carry a throwable PFD called a Type IV
Throwable devices must be immediately available for use such as in the cockpit or near the helm
An inflatable life jacket must be properly armed with an unused gas cylinder
Inflatable life jackets are authorized for use on recreational boats by a person at least 16 years of age
Certain life jackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position which permits proper All states have regulations regarding life jacket wear by children.
Life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once each year. Waterlogged, faded, or leaky jackets should be discarded.
Life jackets must be properly stowed.
A life jacket especially a snug-fitting flotation coat or deck-suit style can help you survive in cold water.
Learn this and more at a NJSP approved Boat Safety Course For more information and for Boating Safety classes that are NJ State Police Approved and NASBLA Certified, go to www.BoatSafeUS.com. Our Instructors will provide you with a fun-filled and educational look at Boat Safety in New Jersey. All of our instructors at Boat Safe US, LLC are certified and approved to instruct by the NJ State Police Marine Division and our course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Instructor Positions Available!
www.BoatSafeUS.com
Upcoming classes:
Atlantic Highlands Senior Citizen Center - Saturday, September 8 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
Beach Haven Fire - Saturday, August 25 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
Liberty Safes of NJ at Bordentown - Saturday, September 8 (1 Day) 9:00am-5:30pm
Osbornville Baptist Church - Saturday, August 25 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
Clifton VFW - Monday, September 10 & Wednesday, September 12 (2 Nights) 6:00pm-9:30pm
Flemington Hampton Inn by Hilton - Sunday, September 9 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
Forked River Tuna Club - Saturday, October 13 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
Keyport Matawan Elks - Saturday, September 15 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
Magnolia American Legion - Sunday, September 16 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
Mantua VFW Post 7679 - Tuesday, August 28 & Thursday, August 30 (2 Nights) 6:00pm-9:30pm
St. Peter & St. Paul Church - Monday, August 27 & Wednesday, August 29 (2 Nights) 6:00pm-9:30pm
Mays Landing VFW Post 220 - Wednesday, September 12 & Friday, September 14 (2 Nights) 6:00pm-9:30pm
Mount Arlington Fire House - Tuesday, August 28 & Thursday, August 30 (2 Nights) 6:00pm-9:30pm
Morris County Public Safety Training Academy - Sunday, August 26 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
Somerset Emergency Services Training Academy - Saturday, September 22 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
South River VFW - Sunday, August 26 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
Toms River Elks - Saturday, September 1 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
Westfield Knights of Columbus - Sunday, September 9 (1 Day) 8:00am-4:30pm
