Massachusetts to Vote on Mandatory PFD's.

[rparkssos]

I got this today from Boat US.

April 4, 2011

Dear Massachusetts BoatU.S. Member,

The Massachusetts State Legislature is considering a bill tomorrow that will require everyone, including adults, to wear lifejackets on boats under 20’ while in operation.

Currently in Massachusetts, life jackets must be onboard all boats, and worn by kids under 12, and worn by all who are waterskiing, on personal watercraft, or in canoe/kayaks in the winter. Our understanding of this legislation, House Bill 646, is that it will require everyone on boats less than 20’ to wear life jackets year-round.

BoatU.S. is a strong supporter of safe boating practices. We are emailing you because many BoatU.S. members have expressed significant concern about government mandating when and where adults must wear life jackets.

Given the immediacy of this issue in your state, we encourage you to contact your state Representative today and help them know how you feel about House Bill 646. This bill is being heard by the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on Tuesday, April 5th at 1 pm.

For more information:
Bill language: Massachusetts House Bill 646

Click here to get your Representative’s contact information:
http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

Please help us get the word out - forward this email to your boating friends and clubs. Thank you for being a BoatU.S. Member!

Margaret Podlich
Vice President, BoatU.S. Government Affairs
GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
703-461-2878 x8363
BoatUS.com/Gov

 

[richie rich]

Perfect...this will allow the local HMaster/Police or CG to give out fines on sight....just like seat belt laws....Big Brother at it again.

 

[freddy063]

I guess it is time to get a bigger Boat. ;-)

 

[Tashmoo]

I think we should put all of our State legislators into a 20' boat before the law passes and pull the plug!

Can you believe that some moron put this up as a bill. I guess they must have solved all of the other pressing issues here in the last few days so they can waist time on crap like this. Costa Rica looks better by the day.


PS I just wrote my rep and let him know what a joke this is.

 

[lgusto]

We had a do-gooder try the same thing up here in Maine last year. Everyone just has to be vigilant in making sure our voices are heard when things like this are put before our legislators. I wrote the bill's author and said it was a fine idea but while they were at it they should require helmets for anyone walking on icy sidewalks during the winter. I did not get a direct response but the bill was killed.

 

[hotajax]

The nanny-state assaults just keep coming, don't they?

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

First it was corn growers giving us ethanol fuels and now it is the neoprene lobby pushing pfds....I think they should a law sending legislatures to the land of oz to find a brain before passing more laws.

As an aside when ever we kayak flat water or white water we wear a pfd. I don't need the govt to pass a law when common sense will do just fine....