New Pfd Law

[THE TRADESMEN]

A new law signed earlier this month by Gov. David Paterson will require boaters in vessels less than 21-foot-long to wear personal floatation devices (PFDs) from Nov. 1 to May 1. http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.co ... 07775.html

I have been seeing this topic on other forums. I agree with those who say its BS! Its much like the seatbelt law. I am not hurting anyone but me so leave me alone. Thats how I feel about it. The Not so FREE State?

[chinook35]

It will make it much easier for the coasties to find your frozen corpse.

[UpGrady]

This is when it becomes really bad... when "we the people" actually think and believe that more government and more regulations is always the best answer... what would Thomas Jefferson and George Washington think of what we have allowed our government to become?!?

I have one word for you- PATHETIC!!!!

[THE TRADESMEN]

Thanks guys ,

I like when people agree. I also like that some don't! Thats what makes this country GREAT! Its also the heart of

this discussion. Spanker you ever see A person burn alive because the seatbelt was jammed? It happens! This is why our forefathers

fought and died for our FREEDOM. So we can choose what is right individually. Dont think I dont understand the logic because I do.

However I believe in God and when he says its my time...... there is no LAW in NYS or any other that will keep me from him.

So its ok to believe what you do. JUST DONT IMPOSE YOUR BELIEFS ON ME AS LAW!

Were does it end?

[jimski2]

It looks like the manufacturers and sellers of PFD's bought out the Albany crew. They probably added to their phony budget another 10 million dollars in anticipated revenues from the fines collected from enforcement of this law. When the Albany checks start bouncing, these guys will not be in office anyway.

[muskybob]

Insurance companies are the lobbiests on most of this stuff.

[REELJERKS]

Gustofson;

I have seen it. When I was stationed in Iraq we had a hummer catch on fire because of an accident. The belt stuck a person got burnt trying to get Pvt. Spencer out, he died a few days latter in a German burn hospital. I still wear a seat belt!! I don't agree with the new PFD law.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[W.W.IV.]

Do you think a PFD will keep you up when all the extra cloths you will be wearing get wet.

Got my paper work for my new truck reg. they tacked on a $ 20 user fee. .

[THE TRADESMEN]

God Bless you for your service to our great country Mark!! If ever we meet I would consider it an honor to shake your hand.

Maybe I am making too big a deal out of this. I just think we are bordering on dictatership at times. Am I the only one?

I'm with you Gus...laws should protect people from others and rights of individuals to make choices, not mandate how people live and dictate what people should do when it has no impact on anyone but themselves.

next we wont be able to fish alone cause you cant drive a boat and fish at the same time.

Again I say where does it end!!

[rail bird]

This is not a bad law. 45 degree water is nothing to mess with.

[big easy]

I'd have to agree,that a law requiring people to wear life jackets,is the wrong approach.I suppose that we're lucky that they didn't require it to be all year round.Even with! a pfd on, in those months,you still can suffer from hypothermia.

I guess as mentioned it makes the job of picking up your dead body,a tad easier for the Coast Guard.

Having said that,I have been trying to get in the habit of wearing my inflatable sospenders.They are very comfortable,it's like your not even wearing them,and they have 35lbs of buoyancy,plenty to keep you afloat,even with wet clothes.

I would recommend them for anyone,at least they're comfortable,and may save your life.

I can't even imagine having to wear a type 1 or cheapo vest,while fishing.

[ERABBIT]

I got a inflatable sospenders then a belt type a few years ago because I fish alone often. If you are looking for some thing to wear I like the belt. It's not as good as the inflatable sospenders but I don't feel like I have it on at all. I wear mine because I want to no matter what the temp. is !!!!

[off track]

I do not see a problem with wearing a PFD during those months. Here take a look at this; http://www.enter.net/~skimmer/coldwater.html

Get a Inflatable, it like your wearing nothing at all.

[Hookedup]

I got an Inflatable, the day after I went off the back of my boat in early April two years ago into ice water. Good thing I had my dad with me or I would have been done. I use it in the spring and fall or if I am alone. We had 4 or 5 drownings in the last month all of them had folks with them but no PFD on. As for seat belts that is up to you, I have seen one crash were not having the belt on hellped but I have been to several were one guy with the belt on stayed in the car and was ok and the others with no belt in his car had to be scraped off the road.

[UpGrady]

Guys... all great discussion and great points... we all know the safety factor of wearing a seat belt and a PFD, but it is NOT the role of the government to TELL me that I have to at all times and all places wear these things. I wear my seat belt 100% of the time, but not because big brother requires it, I will don a PFD if necessary due to water conditions or being in questionable situations, but I will NOT accept the government telling me that I MUST do these things at ALL times... the role of our Democratic government is NOT to legislate these types of things. We the People have allowed our elected officials to don the cap of a Socialist Dictatorship and infringe on our personal rights and decision making for these exact situations and I beleive that this is the original point of the start of this thread...

[ERABBIT]

It looks like the manufacturers and sellers of PFD's bought out the Albany crew. They probably added to their phony budget another 10 million dollars in anticipated revenues from the fines collected from enforcement of this law. When the Albany checks start bouncing, these guys will not be in office anyway.

This could happen in another way. A year ago when we were checked on Lake George the officer told us a "inflatable PDF" did NOT count unless it was being used at the time , so if folks buy the "inflatable " for the cold water season and also think they can use it for the total # of PDF's aboard this would cause them to get a fine!!!!!

I have not seem this in writing any where it's just what the officer told us that day.

[big easy]

Yep, that's true,in order for an inflatable to be a valid PFD,it must be worn.If it's sitting in the cabin,or a storage bag,it doesn't count,as a required pfd.

[tinker]

I figure our boat sticker fees and boat trailer fees have more than paid for the services the state provides us related to our on-water fun. I figure there is extra money in those fees that would pay for the cost of pulling up the occasional frozen body. So I'm not costing anybody anything if I fall out while trolling in January.

There's no argument, aside from rescue cost, that I see as anyone else's business; just like I think if you have proof of medical insurance, you should be allowed to ride a motorcycle w/o a helmet.

Short of getting rid of this bone-headed intrusion on my liberty, how about arguing for an exclusion for people who have taken a boating safety class?

We aren't defending our individual liberty to do stuff other people think is offensive or dangerous, or our right to be free from constant govt surveillance and police-state intrusion. Even though some would call me a liberal, I think my views are consistent with the fact that--

I despise government safety rules that infringe on my own right to risk my own life in any damn way I please. Especially when the POLICE enforce them. Give me civil liability, but not police force.

I'm going to write my NY legislators. But we know the rule won't get rolled back.

Tinker

[lake patrol]

Pfd's will keep you above but thats not the main concern in the winter. Hypothermia is. I'll just have to use my penn yan more often.

[emtystringer]

what does the size of the boat have to do with falling over board.how many people go over on cruise ships..New York State is speeding on becoming a high tax and police state

[TOP SECRET]

Sorry ladies, but I agree with this law. For a lot of us on this board, I don't think it is necessary... but out of Sodus, I see a lot of row boats out there getting smacked by other people's wakes. A friend towed in three guys (adults) last week after their small motor on their RENTAL boat broke down... all three said they didn't know how to swim. I think this law is good for all the irresponsible boaters out there and a bit of a pain for the responsible ones.

And on a personal note.... you're a frickin moron if you don't wear a seat belt or a helmet on a bike for that matter.

Nick

[perch predator]

if you get on a boat and don't know how to swim you're a moron. I still say it should be our choise. We are rewriting the defenition of freedom!!!

[TOP SECRET]

Perch, I agree with the swim statement as well But then again, I go on planes and don't know how to fly haha

Nick

[YodaMage]

Sorry ladies, but I agree with this law. For a lot of us on this board, I don't think it is necessary... but out of Sodus, I see a lot of row boats out there getting smacked by other people's wakes. A friend towed in three guys (adults) last week after their small motor on their RENTAL boat broke down... all three said they didn't know how to swim. I think this law is good for all the irresponsible boaters out there and a bit of a pain for the responsible ones.

And on a personal note.... you're a frickin moron if you don't wear a seat belt or a helmet on a bike for that matter.

Nick

If we are going to start writing laws to prevent dumb people from themselves, then I assume you agree with outlawing smoking and almost every gun law proposed. Heck, some people get drunk and drive cars...we should outlaw one or the other

If three adults want to rent a boat and drown themselves I care why exactly?

[LongLine]

I'm on the fence here. How many guys take their big boats out on the water over the winter months? In fact how many can actually get out over the winter, except for the Niagara that has a decent flow? (re-winterizing is a pain) Speaking of the winter months, how about the guys standing in the water whipping their flies? what about the hard water guys? sleds on the ice? ice skaters, ice sailers?

Laws are not made to protect or prevent dumb people from themselves. 3 strangers drown & who cares...3 of your family or close friends or people you know drown, changes the story.

Tom B.

(LongLine)