THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 3, 1995 TAG: 9503030364
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
In an attempt to cut the number of drownings involving small boats, operators of vessels under 16 feet in North Carolina soon will be required to carry wearable flotation devices for each passenger on board.
Boats over 16 feet have had to carry life jackets. Effective May 1, the rules are being broadened to include vessels under 16 feet.
Boats 16 feet or longer also must carry a throwable type of personal flotation device, such as a ring buoy or cushion.
The regulation including boats under 16 feet in the life jacket requirement was drawn by the Coast Guard and will be enforced by a division of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
The new rule targets small boat operators because they have the highest number of fatalities, Lt. Randy Thomas of the wildlife commission said in a recent news release.
``We are optimistic this regulation requiring wearable flotation devices for the small boats will reduce the number of drownings,'' said Thomas, hunter-safety coordinator for the commission.
Thomas also recommended that boat operators require all passengers to wear personal flotation devices when boats are under power.
Officers of the Wildlife Resources Commission's Division of Law Enforcement will continue to check boats all year. by CNB