PFDs Mandatory

[Z-91]

Title should be Kill Switches Mandatory

After an increase of boating accidents nationwide, Texas has decided to take action. As of September 1, 2019, if you're operating a boat less than 26 feet, you will be required by law to have an engine cutoff switch while the motor is running. If you're using a lanyard, it must be attached to the operator's body, clothing or PFD.
According to documents, this bill is a direct result of the July 20, 2012 death of Kali Gorzell, who fell off the front of a boat and was struck and killed by the propellor.
You can read the bill in its entirety here.

[JerryT]

He had his motor running and was at the front of his boat ?

[Rude196]

He had his motor running and was at the front of his boat ?

Yup. PFD was hooked up to kill switch in drivers seat

[coachallen]

NO PFD are NOT mandatory... Kill switches attached to you are mandatory.

[CatFan]

So in response to a tragic death, they enacted a law that wouldn’t have done anything to prevent her death?

[Dubee]

So in response to a tragic death, they enacted a law that wouldn’t have done anything to prevent her death?

Yep

[JerryT]

So in response to a tragic death, they enacted a law that wouldn’t have done anything to prevent her death?

Exactly

[coachallen]

So in response to a tragic death, they enacted a law that wouldn’t have done anything to prevent her death?

That is correct. I have been wearing a velcro wrist strap for a month now. I wear it along with my PFD...

[dcmclassic]

The girl that passed away wasn't driving. The hull design on some of the Texas flats boats can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Any boat CAN be dangerous though. As a rule in my boat everybody wears a PFD on plane and I always have my lanyard hooked up.

As for this law, I get they are trying to do something but I don't see how this will prevent passengers from being thrown and ran over unless the driver thinks fast enough to yank on the lanyard. That would be split second decision making which I would be willing to bet at least 50% of drivers wouldn't be able react fast enough.

[FishingISlyfe]

That is correct. I have been wearing a velcro wrist strap for a month now. I wear it along with my PFD...

I hate to admit it but I giggled

[JerryT]

The girl that passed away wasn't driving. The hull design on some of the Texas flats boats can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Any boat CAN be dangerous though. As a rule in my boat everybody wears a PFD on plane and I always have my lanyard hooked up.

As for this law, I get they are trying to do something but I don't see how this will prevent passengers from being thrown and ran over unless the driver thinks fast enough to yank on the lanyard. That would be split second decision making which I would be willing to bet at least 50% of drivers wouldn't be able react fast enough.

How could they even think this would help that situation ?? Pretty sure I can shift to neutral or shut the motor off quicker than finding the lanyard and yanking of off the kill switch ?

Next everyone on board has to wear one ?

[DoctorJJ]

How could they even think this would help that situation ?? Pretty sure I can shift to neutral or shut the motor off quicker than finding the lanyard and yanking of off the kill switch ?

Next everyone on board has to wear one ?

Don’t give them any ideas.

[CatFan]

How could they even think this would help that situation ?? Pretty sure I can shift to neutral or shut the motor off quicker than finding the lanyard and yanking of off the kill switch ?

Next everyone on board has to wear one ?

Don’t laugh.

2) if using a wireless attachment, properly attaching to each individual on the motorboat an operational man-overboard transmitter.

[berudd]

How could they even think this would help that situation ?? Pretty sure I can shift to neutral or shut the motor off quicker than finding the lanyard and yanking of off the kill switch ?

Next everyone on board has to wear one ?

Probably never intended to help the situation. Just like with guns, people say they have to do “something” in response but no one seems to care if the something is effective or not. It’s a emotional reaction from people trying to deal with a tragedy.

[getfished]

Well I'm not familiar with the details of how this law came about but by reading on here I get the idea. what many on here are saying may be correct but why complain about a legal requirement that IMO is long overdue ? There are many fishermen and even more as a percentage of other boaters who will now be required to do the smart thing. Too bad we have to have a law to get it done.

[gehol]

Do we want laws to compel people to do the "smart thing"? Who gets to decide what is smart?

[NAMVET1968]

more laws more rules !......................

[getfished]

Totally understandable. So if your freedom chasing brain leaves you drooling and slobbering and unable to feed or care for yourself would it be OK with you to just let you fend for yourself ? Do we need laws to require people to assist those that need assistance because they weren't as "smart" as some other folks ? You aren't serious are you Clark ?

[JerryT]

Totally understandable. So if your freedom chasing brain leaves you drooling and slobbering and unable to feed or care for yourself would it be OK with you to just let you fend for yourself ? Do we need laws to require people to assist those that need assistance because they weren't as "smart" as some other folks ? You aren't serious are you Clark ?

So why not pass a law to have everyone wear a PFD anytime they are with 20 feet of water .. it would most defiantly save lives would it not ? Mustangs don’t always work so have everyone wear the old school orange vests with bow ties

[slonezp]

Do we want laws to compel people to do the "smart thing"? Who gets to decide what is smart?

We should just ban stupid people, and people without common sense, from operating anything that moves, and from reproducing.