RRFW Riverwire - Throw Bag In Lieu of Throw Cushion Comments Needed Today!
February 18, 2017
As most river runners know, United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations say that ALL watercraft 16 feet long and over must carry a Type IV throwable personal flotation device (PFD) as per 33 CFR 175.15.
Since 2014, the State of Utah has allowed a Throw Rope with a minimum of 40 feet of line to be used in lieu of a throw cushion where all vessel occupants are required to wear PFD’s.
Now, Utah wants to drop this option. Your comments are due no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday March 3, 2017.
Did you know that in rough water, both the USCG and the Arizona Game and Fish Department acknowledge Type IV throwable devices are not recommended?
Indeed, the United States Coast Guard notes a Type IV PFD is “Not for rough water survival.”
(cite http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/ringlb.asp ).
The Boaters Guide of Arizona handbook of boating laws and responsibilities, page 38, notes the following with regards to TYPE IV throwable devices: “These cushions and ring buoys are designed to be thrown to someone in trouble. Since a Type IV is not designed to be worn, it is neither for rough waters nor for persons who are unable to hold onto it."
Many river runners know that Canyonlands and Dinosaur National Park and the Bureau of Land Management at Westwater Canyon all require a wearable PFD. They also allow a throw bag in lieu of a throw cushion.
The State of Utah notes “the intent of the rule is solid with swift water rescue techniques” but also notes they must be in compliance with 33 CFR 175.15. Utah also notes there “will be an anticipated additional cost of $15 per boat” for boats 16 feet and over.
Your comments are needed to keep the existing regulation in place.
Please send your comments by e-mail to Officer Tammy Wright tammywright@utah.gov
With utmost respect, please tell Officer Wright that:
You want to see the rule R651-215-8 (River Throw Bag in Lieu of Type IV PFD) remain in effect.
The United States Coast Guard has recognized in rough water, Type IV throw cushions are not recommended.
Recreational rough water enthusiasts are already required to wear a pfd by regulation. Having a throwable device in lieu of a cushion makes sense on Rough water and has been recognized by the State of Utah as being a solid swiftwater rescue technique.
If you live and boat in Utah, please cc your Congressional representatives. You can find your Congressional Representative here:http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
If you would like, please cc Lieutenant Robert Cole Robert.D.Cole@uscg.mil with the United States Coast Guard, Sector San Diego, and Tom Martin tommartin@rrfw.org of River Runners For Wilderness.
For more information about this rule change, please see https://rules.utah.gov/publicat/bulletin/2017/20170201/41154.htm
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RIVERWIRE is a free service to the community of river lovers from River Runners for Wilderness. To sign-up for future Riverwires, send an e-mail address to riverwire@rrfw.org and we'll add it to the RRFW Riverwire e-mail alerts list.
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February 18, 2017
As most river runners know, United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations say that ALL watercraft 16 feet long and over must carry a Type IV throwable personal flotation device (PFD) as per 33 CFR 175.15.
Since 2014, the State of Utah has allowed a Throw Rope with a minimum of 40 feet of line to be used in lieu of a throw cushion where all vessel occupants are required to wear PFD’s.
Now, Utah wants to drop this option. Your comments are due no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday March 3, 2017.
Did you know that in rough water, both the USCG and the Arizona Game and Fish Department acknowledge Type IV throwable devices are not recommended?
Indeed, the United States Coast Guard notes a Type IV PFD is “Not for rough water survival.”
(cite http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/ringlb.asp ).
The Boaters Guide of Arizona handbook of boating laws and responsibilities, page 38, notes the following with regards to TYPE IV throwable devices: “These cushions and ring buoys are designed to be thrown to someone in trouble. Since a Type IV is not designed to be worn, it is neither for rough waters nor for persons who are unable to hold onto it."
Many river runners know that Canyonlands and Dinosaur National Park and the Bureau of Land Management at Westwater Canyon all require a wearable PFD. They also allow a throw bag in lieu of a throw cushion.
The State of Utah notes “the intent of the rule is solid with swift water rescue techniques” but also notes they must be in compliance with 33 CFR 175.15. Utah also notes there “will be an anticipated additional cost of $15 per boat” for boats 16 feet and over.
Your comments are needed to keep the existing regulation in place.
Please send your comments by e-mail to Officer Tammy Wright tammywright@utah.gov
With utmost respect, please tell Officer Wright that:
You want to see the rule R651-215-8 (River Throw Bag in Lieu of Type IV PFD) remain in effect.
The United States Coast Guard has recognized in rough water, Type IV throw cushions are not recommended.
Recreational rough water enthusiasts are already required to wear a pfd by regulation. Having a throwable device in lieu of a cushion makes sense on Rough water and has been recognized by the State of Utah as being a solid swiftwater rescue technique.
If you live and boat in Utah, please cc your Congressional representatives. You can find your Congressional Representative here:http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
If you would like, please cc Lieutenant Robert Cole Robert.D.Cole@uscg.mil with the United States Coast Guard, Sector San Diego, and Tom Martin tommartin@rrfw.org of River Runners For Wilderness.
For more information about this rule change, please see https://rules.utah.gov/publicat/bulletin/2017/20170201/41154.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RIVERWIRE is a free service to the community of river lovers from River Runners for Wilderness. To sign-up for future Riverwires, send an e-mail address to riverwire@rrfw.org and we'll add it to the RRFW Riverwire e-mail alerts list.
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