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Committee debates seasonal life‑jacket requirement for most small vessels
Summary
A legislative committee discussed a proposed seasonal personal flotation device (PFD) requirement for most people on small vessels underway between Nov. 1 and May 1, citing cold-water shock risks. Members raised enforcement, date-range, and sports‑activity exemptions and asked for additional witnesses and outreach plans.
The committee debated a proposal to require people on most small vessels to wear U.S. Coast Guard‑approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) while underway on open decks between Nov. 1 and May 1. Staff said the change aims to reduce deaths from cold‑water shock and aligns with similar seasonal rules in several other Northeast states.
The measure, explained by the staff member leading bill drafting (Staff member), would exempt individuals who are on a vessel in water not more than 3 feet deep while actively hunting or bow‑fishing with a valid license, and it would not apply to Coast Guard‑inspected commercial…
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