NASBLA Roundtable

Good Morning,

I am trying to determine which states have a state law or regulation regarding the use of ECOS, specifically wearing of the lanyard, that coincides with the USCG regulations. In those states that do have a law in place, I would like to make contact with you to discuss in more detail. Thank you.

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Scott Forrest
Lieutenant
MD Natural Resources Police
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Good morning Lieutenant Forest,

As a provider that teaches the Connecticut course, we have NOT adopted the USCG law. 

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Glenn Dean
Connecticut State Certified Instructor
Connecticut Boating Certificates LLC
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Original Message:
Sent: 3/21/2023 7:35:00 AM
From: Glenn Dean
Subject: RE: Emergency Cutoff Switches

Good morning Lieutenant Forest,

As a provider that teaches the Connecticut course, we have adopted the USCG law in 2021.  We teach these bullet points and I have no feed back from a law enforcement standpoint but thought this might be of a little help.

Operators must be electronically linked or attached via the lanyard to the Engine Cut Off Switch

This applies to:

•All Class A and Class 1 recreational boats (26 feet and less) operating on Coastal Waters

•All Operators travelling over Slow-No-Wake speed

•Any boat equipped with an ECOS new or old must be in use

AS A CLARIFIER 

• Boats built after Jan 2020 that generate more than 115 pounds of static thrust (2-3 hp) must now include a built-in Engine Cut Off Switch.  

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Glenn Dean
Connecticut State Certified Instructor
Connecticut Boating Certificates LLC
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Good day Lt.

NJ has a rule in place for power vessels and a law for PWCs. I have included both for your review. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further clarification or assistance.

13:82-1.15 Lanyard cut-off switch
The operator of a vessel equipped with a lanyard cut-off switch shall wear the safety switch lanyard
at all times when the vessel is in operation.

§ 12:7-64. Requirements for operator of personal watercraft
A person operating a personal watercraft shall at all times:
(a) Wear the safety switch lanyard while the personal watercraft is underway, provided
that the personal watercraft is equipped with such a lanyard cut-off device; and
(b) Proceed at a safe speed that shall allow the person operating the personal watercraft to
take proper and effective action to avoid collision and to stop the personal watercraft
within a safe distance, as may be appropriate under prevailing circumstances and
conditions.

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SFC Christopher Jones
Assistant Station Commander
Marine Services Bureau
New Jersey State Police
New Jersey BLA
christopher.jones@njsp.org
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Good evening,

In December 2022, USCG BSX-2 sent a letter to the BLAs from all 56 state and territory's providing guidance on the legislative actions that need to be taken in order to comply with federal laws/regulations. In addition to the ECOS laws, we also included reference to the newest requirements for fire protection on recreational boats. Should you have specific questions regarding your state's ECOS laws or the letter, please contact your BLA. The BLAs can always reach out to their State Program Coordinator (SPC) in the Program & Ops Management Branch (BSX-21). 

r/

Brian Moore

USCG Office of Boating Safety (BSX 21)

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Brian Moore
USCG BSX 21
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