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Archive for Regulation

Kill Switch regulation Coast Guard News Release

Kill Switch Regulation Details announced by U.S. Coast Guard today, 10 March 2021. USCG News Release News Release U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Contact: Headquarters Public Affairs Headquarters online newsroom U.S. Coast Guard Announces New Law Requiring Use of Engine Cut-off Switches WASHINGTON – Operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be […]

Sarasota Youth Sailing: Ethan Isaacs accident UPDATE1

We previously covered the 21 November 2020 Sarasota Youth Sailing (Florida) propeller accident that claimed the life of ten year old Ethan Isaacs. Recent events led us to publishing this update on the Ethan Isaacs accident. Event 1 – Isaacs family files lawsuit A wrongful death suit was filed 28 December 2020 in behalf of […]

Coast Guard to require use of kill switch lanyards

The huge bill Congress passed at the end of 2020 included the provision that operators of boats 26 feet and under attach their lanyard kill switch or use their wireless lanyard if either is available on their vessel on Federal waters. Cabin boats and vessels with less than 115 pounds of thrust are exempted from […]

2019 USCG Reauthorization bill: mandatory kill switch wear?

The U.S. Coast Guard is reauthorized each year in an annual bill in which some changes may be introduced. The 2018 USCG reauthorization bill as passed requires engine cut off switches (kill switches to prevent the Circle of Death) be installed in most recreational power boats less than 26 feet in length. The 2019 USCG […]

Kali’s Law: Misleading Fatality Statistics

Kali Gorzell was a beautiful, enthusiastic, young woman when she was stuck and killed by a boat propeller 20 July 2012. There was a tremendous outpouring of love from her classmates and her community near San Antonio Texas. The boat operator was turning, the flats boat quickly “swapped ends” (spun 180 degrees), the operator was […]

Ryan’s Law & Federal Preemption- part 1

Ryan’s Law, is a proposed law in the State of New York requiring propeller guards on vessels used to instruct children under the age of 18. In October 2018, the U.S. Coast Guard National Boating Safety Advisory Council met and basically said Ryan’s Law is preempted by federal regulations and will be struck down. The […]

Ryan’s Law & Federal Preemption- part 2

This post is a continuation of Part 1 of our post on federal preemption of Ryan’s Law, a law requiring propeller guards on vessels involved in instructing children under 18 years old. Our previous post cited several instances in the U.S. Coast Guard National Boating Safety Council (NBSAC) 100th meeting (NBSAC100) minutes in which NBSAC […]

Mandatory installation of kill switches

The Frank LomBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 was signed by President Trump back on 4 December 2018 per Issue 92/Spring 2019 of the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Circular. The bill appropriates money for Coast Guard expenses in Fiscal Year 2019, as well as includes a few specific regulations. The new act will […]

Propeller Guard law passes: Suffolk County New York

This is really big news. Likely the first time ever in the United States that people protecting propeller guards have been required by law. On June 19, 2018 Suffolk County, New York voted unanimously to require boat propeller guards on boats used in youth instruction.The law, known as Ryan’s Law comes one year after the […]

Regulations proposed requiring propeller guards on boats used to instruct children: New York

An 18 July 2017 Centerport Yacht Club propeller accident claimed the life of 12 year-old Ryan Weiss. Three boys learning how to sail were with a sailboat that had been capsized on purpose as a training exercise. One of the boys, Ryan Weiss, was picked up by a RIB piloted by an 18 year old […]