PFD

[Lite Tackle]

Received my EPIRB and registered it this morning. Did a test and all seems good. Got me thinking about other onboard safety equipment. During the many years of owning my small skiff (Boston Whaler 17 Montauk), the rule was wearing of life jackets was mandatory while on the ocean and optional when in lakes and river. For comfort, I had purchased a couple of automatic inflatable PFD’s and always had a stash of type II jackets onboard.

Since getting the Seafarer I have stopped wearing the PFD all together. Of course if I was in sea conditions that made me nervous, I would don the jacket asap. What is your rule and comfort level for wearing a PFD? What is your go to PFD model? Where are they stored when not in use?

 

[seasick]

I don't wear mine most of the time. If out alone, I may wear it if seas are not calm or the water is cool to cold. If I have to go up front to play with the anchor in rolling or rough seas, I wear it.
When carrying passengers, I ask adults if they want to wear one. If they are really nervous I tell them to put one on Passengers are more willing to wear type IIIs since they are less bulky.
I myself wear a Mustang manual inflation vest on one boat and an automatic Mustang like one on the other.
If you need a jacket/vest and will be out in rough seas or wet conditions, you might want to look at hydro-static automatic products. Those sense water depth and not just water so the chance of an accidental activation in really wet conditions is just about eliminated. Regarding the automatics (non hydro-static), the gas cylinders can be usable a long time, more that the usual recommended replacement time but the disks that dissolve when wet need to be replaced according to the manufacturers specs.
It may sound a bit anal but I usually check the water temperature to get an estimate of how ling I would be able to function if I fell overboard.Often that pushes me to wear the PFD.

 

[SkunkBoat]

We run far offshore so we have four type I offshore pdf's with lights and whistles. We would never go offshore with more than four people.
Also have some type IIs and IIIs of various sizes for rare occasion when we have a full boat cruising the river. All of those are in the hardtop mesh bag above our heads.(Amazing how many fit in there) .
We have not ever worn those.
There are a few watersports jackets in the cabin.

I have an Auto inflate with a light and whistle that I wear when running at night and a manual inflate that gets worn by someone else when running at night.
(If we have a problem in the dark we want to be ready to address it without first having to get a life jacket on).
I have a PLB attached to my AutoInflate.

I will admit, we generally don't wear them once fishing. We don't fish offshore unless its forecast 2 ft or less
Generally, when offshore, everyone on the boat is an experienced operator.

When I had a 20 footer ...and it was sporty ...I would make everyone wear a jacket of some type when transiting the inlet or the canal...because things can happen fast.

 

[leeccoll]

I just got into the habit of wearing one all the time when I go out alone.

This happened 3 years ago after hearing the story of a man who was fighting a fish on a rough day on Halloween at Pyramid lake off of spider point and fell overboard. He was a good swimmer, and was not wearing a PFD. His wife was still in the boat and did not anything about operating it. They had just purchased the vessel. He went under soon after, and she couldn't help save him. Sheriff's department escorted her home and removed all knives from her house incase she became suicidal.

Her daughter was dating the son of my friend who told me that sad story.

I try to remind myself how many things can go wrong when I'm alone, and always offer PFD's when I take out guests.

I don't force anyone that knows how to swim to wear them, but wouldn't want any tragedy on my conscience.

 

[Fishtales]

I don't wear one but have them available under the hardtop for quick access. I have c couple type1, 2 and 3. Most folks like the type 3 coastal as they are thinner and have more body area. Thank goodness no need for them yet.

 

[Holokai]

Solo - wear an inflatable model and tie off to the helm chair pedestal.

Offshore - Usually small crew (2-3 total) and everyone wears one (inflatable) if it's rough. Crew also knows how to operate the vessel (I have them all take the boater safety course online).

Cruising/inshore - Optional but recommended for children and non-swimmers.

Always have a bunch of type III jackets in the cuddy at minimum for USCG compliance.

 

[everwhom]

I'm in the small minority who insists on auto-inflatables worn at all times on my boat except at anchor...

 

[Ky Grady]

Type III's in overhead. Type I's in cuddy if heading offshore.

 

[seasick]

As I understand the regs and I could be off base, an manual or auto inflatable PFD only counts towards your requirement to have one PFD per person if you are wearing it. So to preclude getting a summons , I make sure I have at least one non inflatable PFD per passenger in addition to my inflatables.

 

[Fishtales]

I also keep rod leashes in the ditch bag. Can come in handy if you want to lash the raft or yourself to the boat.

 

[Lsquared]

Have type 1 kept on the back of each of the helm chairs ,have stobe light, mirror, whistle and dye keep the ditch bag next to me and a throwable hooked to the rod holder

 

[Fishtales]

when I went through this in my head, I thought the easiest thing for me in an emergency is have everything in one spot. I just need the raft and the ditch bags that are side by side under the companion seat. hopefully i'll remember if ever needed. all my stuff (extra med kit, flares, water, epirb plb, lights, etc) in one spot to make it easier on me.

 

[seasick]

Regarding wearing PFDs. For children and maybe some adults, I am of the opinion that PFDs should not be worn by people who will be spending some in the cabin. The reason is that should something terrible happen like capsizing and the cabin fills with water, it is very difficult if not impossible to get out since the PFD will pin you to the floor if capsized or to the ceiling if sinking upright. Likewise if it becomes necessary in a sinking vessel to go to the aid of passengers in the cabin, I also suggest you remove your vest. Hopefully none of us will have to experience this situation.