Boaters: Be sure to check your PFD’s

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) would like to remind boaters to check their personal flotation devices (PFD) on their boats to make sure that they are in good condition before heading for the lake this summer.

Tennessee boating law requires all boats, regardless of size, to carry a wearable PFD (life jacket) for each person on board. The law does not require those over the age of twelve to wear the PFD, but statistics show that more than 300 people die annually in accidents involving boats that are 12-to-16 feet in length. Nearly 90 percent of the victims will not be wearing PFD’s.

Tennessee boating law requires children ages 12 and under to wear a personal floatation device (PFD), while in a boat that is underway. Boats on the water are considered underway except when they are anchored, tied to a bank, or moored at a dock. The law exempts children that are inside living quarters on cruisers or houseboats.

Under the provisions of the law, the operator of the boat has the responsibility to see that children wear their life preserver. It is the boat operator that will be cited for violation of the law if children are observed without a life jacket.

TWRA offers the following tips on selecting and using PFD’s:

‘ The ‘Coast Guard Approved’ label should be clearly visible on the life jacket.

‘ Choose a life jacket based on your boating activities (cruising, racing, water-skiing, fishing, etc.) and conditions.

‘ Buy a bright orange or yellow jacket so you will be visible to rescuers in the event of an accident.

‘ Be sure to try it on and learn how to adjust it for a snug fit.

‘ Before going out on a boat, test the jacket in the water. Make sure it supports you and keeps your head and mouth clear with no effort on your part. Then try putting it on when you are already in the water.

When buying a life preserver for children, check for:

‘ Coast Guard approved label.

‘ A snug fit. Check weight and size on the label and try the PFD on your child.

‘ Head support for younger children. A well-designed PFD will support the child’s head when the child is in the water.

‘ A strap between the legs of younger children. This feature helps prevent the PFD from coming off accidentally.

‘ Comfort and appearance.

PFD’s are inexpensive life insurance. The TWRA recommends that boat owners purchase several extras and store them on board.

Each year wildlife officers, charged with patrolling the waters of Tennessee, issue citations to boat operators who do not have enough PFDs on board. A frequently heard excuse is: ‘We just picked up a few extra friends from another boat,’ or ‘We are taking a couple of people across the lake and we did not have any extra life jackets.’ Tossing extra jackets in the boat before you head to the water eliminates that situation and the costly citation that follows.

For more information on boating visit the agency’s website at www.tnwildlife.org.