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glivs
Admiral

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USA
822 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/11/2021 : 20:37:19

"Operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL) as of April 1, 2021, as the U.S. Coast Guard implements a law passed by Congress."
Updated link: https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/index.php?m=rb

Thanks for the headsup on the broken link Dave. The link should now work.

Gerry & Leslie; Malletts Bay, VT
"Great Escape" 1989 C-25 SR/WK #5972

Edited by - glivs on 03/12/2021 03:20:51

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 03/11/2021 : 22:52:07

Bad link. But it sounds like the safety leash most motors have is now supposed to be connected to the operator... (?) I wonder how many lives have been lost because nobody does that. (Does anybody??)

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2021 : 05:08:23

I always put it on my wrist when I had my inflatable but the sailboat... guilty.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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3992 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2021 : 06:08:43

But wait what's this???

quote:
Operator Requirement: An individual operating a covered recreational vessel shall use an engine cut-off switch link while operating on plane or above displacement speed.

Generally a sailboat doesn't go up on plane or exceed its displacement speed so......

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Edited by - islander on 03/12/2021 06:09:48

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2021 : 06:18:44

quote:
Originally posted by islander

But wait what's this???

quote:
Operator Requirement: An individual operating a covered recreational vessel shall use an engine cut-off switch link while operating on plane or above displacement speed.

Generally a sailboat doesn't go up on plane or exceed its displacement speed so......

Good catch Scott!

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2021 : 07:54:18

So that means any operator of a power boat like a high powered bass boat, Boston Whaler, Carolina Skiff, etc., will have to have the cut-off lanyard attached to the body.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2021 : 08:08:31

quote:
Originally posted by dmpilc

So that means any operator of a power boat like a high powered bass boat, Boston Whaler, Carolina Skiff, etc., will have to have the cut-off lanyard attached to the body.

...only if it's a "covered recreational vessel" (less than 26' in length) and only while it's on plane. For example, the operator of a bass boat trolling at low speed isn't required to wear a lanyard.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

keats
Navigator

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USA
215 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2021 : 08:54:39

Q My 26-foot sailboat has a 50 horsepower engine that allows me to travel on plane / above displacement speed. Do I need to use an Engine Cut-Off Switch?

A No. Regardless of when it was built, a boat 26-feet in length and greater does not require use of an engine cut-off switch, even if equipped.

Ah, the "MacGregor Exemption"

Tim Keating
1985 C-25 TR/FK #4940
Midsummer
Lake Don Pedro, CA

glivs
Admiral

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USA
822 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2021 : 18:39:20

Yes, Scott....good catch.

Gerry & Leslie; Malletts Bay, VT
"Great Escape" 1989 C-25 SR/WK #5972

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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1736 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2021 : 05:21:03

Intriguing -- so -- sounds like a rule developed by someone who is not a boater . . . .

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

glivs
Admiral

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USA
822 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2021 : 05:55:40

I can only speculate but it is an obvious follow up to the original law requiring cutoff switches on motorcraft. As many operators do not employ the safety lanyards, however, there are an unknown number of incidents of run-away boats doing damage when the operator has fallen overboard and of operators now in the water being severely injured by the spinning prop of their unmanned boat. Perhaps the insurance industry is simply trying to limit their losses due to poor judgement.

Gerry & Leslie; Malletts Bay, VT
"Great Escape" 1989 C-25 SR/WK #5972

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2021 : 11:27:15

quote:
Originally posted by islander

But wait what's this???

quote:
Operator Requirement: An individual operating a covered recreational vessel shall use an engine cut-off switch link while operating on plane or above displacement speed.

Generally a sailboat doesn't go up on plane or exceed its displacement speed so......

So if you're motoring along, trip and fall overboard, you think you can catch up because the boat is below its hull speed?

OK, you're probably not gonna be tossed off your 25-footer doing 5 kts. (My boat's a little over 26'--I'm free to go on plane sans leash!)

(Sorry to pollute the forum--I'm starting to get the spring itch!)

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/13/2021 20:44:37

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2021 : 16:36:39

Go for it, Dave! beautiful boat, I'd love to come to mystic sometime.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5231 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2021 : 19:58:03

There�s also the cabin house exemption. If you can only control your boat from the cabin house, regardless of boat length, you aren�t required to use an engine cutoff lanyard.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5231 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2021 : 20:12:20

Gerry, you�re right about runaway boats. YouTube is full of boating fails and runaway boats are the worst! A few were like 30 and 40 footers. Crash bang boom!

Here are some great ones

https://youtu.be/SNE_Bmu-HGY

https://youtu.be/BVezgiA0SIM

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - Voyager on 03/13/2021 20:22:00

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2021 : 20:42:04

A little too much beer there... (or a lot.)

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2021 : 21:21:38

quote:
Originally posted by dmpilc

...I'd love to come to mystic sometime.

Act on that! Here's the venue, looking south toward Montauk Point, Long Island (beach barely visible at the very top) which I took from a Piper directly above my dock:

The last whaling ship, classic schooners, full-on sleds, and everything in between (including, I'm afraid, a few Sea Rays and what I call "penis boats")... Free tours departing from your boat or my dock. (But not quite yet!)

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/13/2021 21:34:01

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2021 : 09:58:29

I can certainly attest to the sweet setup that Mystic has to offer.
The seaport itself is super amazing with historic buildings, boats and people - who are THE literal experts in boatbuilding craft and science.
The Mystic river is lined with beautiful marinas featuring classic and not so classic modern power and sailboats.
Great restaurants, both in town and nearby - Mystic is actually in two towns: Stonington on the east shore and Groton on the west.
Noank, a borough of Groton, is located down at the mouth of the Mystic River where it enters Fishers Island Sound, is another boating Mecca, and the previous Homeport of my own Passage (in Dave�s pre-stinkpotter days).
Mason Island is opposite Noank, a beautiful waterfront community which also includes Enders Island, a religious sanctuary and park surrounded by Fishers Island Sound and the beauty you see in the photo above.
And last, but not least, you also have an expert tour guide in the area with a nice boat who happens to be a certified captain.
This is not an offer to pass up if you plan to be in the area.

Edit, full disclosure: yes, I work in sales and my wife was formerly an editor of a well known local travel magazine in Connecticut.

Edited by - Voyager on 03/14/2021 10:07:28

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2021 : 22:24:35

...and full disclosure--I let my captain's license expire after the historic tour boat I ran for the Mystic Seaport was taken out of service due to need for major restoration. But that only means I can't charge for tours on my own boat, which I never did anyway.

Another area I like to show is nearby Stonington Borough--a quaint village and harbor in Stonington with wonderful 19th century architecture, waterside restaurants, and a unique feel. (I'm not as well practiced at travel-oriented marketing.)

But getting back to the original subject: I don't wear my shutoff leash on Sarge. If I get thrown overboard at speed (I'm not sure how I could), hopefully somebody on board can pull the throttle lever back before too long...

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/14/2021 22:25:57

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1736 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2021 : 06:40:09

OP -- interesting that wireless "FOB" technology will be usable rather than lanyard. Makes moving around a powerboat much easier and if thrown overboard automatically shuts engine. Many, like me, go out alone so option of others taking over is not. I see no real change when sailing as between boat design and my sailing skills getting on a plane ain't happening!

Dave, my son lives in Mystic and takes my powerboat their for half the season -- Stonington Borough is really great!

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3367 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2021 : 11:38:39

My spouse and I took the Dave Bristle personal water tour of Mystic a few years ago. Beautiful area !

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2021 : 09:13:35

Sorry to start a major hyjack... This Soundings article describes the issue, including the "circle of death". I recall this happening nearby on the Connecticut River a few years ago, and I've read of several incidents where responders took considerable risk to board a runaway boat. I think I'd try throwing a floating line ahead of it, hoping to foul the prop. As noted, the federal law behind this has been around since 2018, and the switches since long before that. The wireless version is triggered by emersion, so is probably less likely to create a surprise than the leash. I didn't always clip the leash on when running my dinghy, but should have, especially when alone.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

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