New US Federal Law on wearing kill-cords

[siwhi]

"On April 1, 2021 a new federal law goes into effect that requires the operator of a boat with an installed Engine Cut-Off Switch (ECOS) to use the ECOS link. The link is usually a coiled bungee cord lanyard clipped onto the operator's person, Personal Floatation Device (PFD) or clothing and the other end attached to the cut-off switch, but there are plenty of variations on the market, including electronic wireless devices. The law applies on all "Navigable Waters of the US"."

Engine/Propulsion Cut-Off Devices

Despite the date, I don't think this is an April Fool's - it is widely reported and on the USCG website.

 

[Easticks28]

There aren't many pieces of US law (as far as I'm aware) that we should enact over here, but this is one.

 

[Bilgediver]

There aren't many pieces of US law (as far as I'm aware) that we should enact over here, but this is one.

Even the RNLI push out a message from time to time about wearing Kill Cords. I actually have one of my own for wearing on the club boat so that I leave the ignition keys behind should anything happen and those left on board don t have to use the oars. There is a second kill key also.

 

[Adios]

Damn it! There goes at least half the best future boat fail videos

 

[davidaprice]

I was getting concerned (although I'm not in the USA) until I read "The law applies to any motorized boat with 3 or more horsepower that is less than 26 feet in length". So it wouldn't apply to my 31' classic-style yacht with her 2HP outboard. Which is good, because the engine is at least 6' behind the steering position and maybe 9' from the front of the cockpit, so I'd need a really long kill cord (and it would surely get caught on the tiller, backstay, etc.).

How about in a, say, 25' yacht with a 4HP outboard. Do you use the kill cord on those? Would it make sense to?

 

[prv]

How about in a, say, 25' yacht with a 4HP outboard. Do you use the kill cord on those? Would it make sense to?

No and no.

Kill cords are for fast, planing, open boats where there's a risk of the coxswain being thrown overboard and the boat then becomes an unguided missile.

Pete

 

[JumbleDuck]

Damn it! There goes at least half the best future boat fail videos

At least they'll still have boat ramps.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

At least they'll still have boat ramps.

And Haulover Inlet

 

[Alfie168]

No and no.

Kill cords are for fast, planing, open boats where there's a risk of the coxswain being thrown overboard and the boat then becomes an unguided missile.

Pete

It's not quite so clear cut. My little 22 footer has a transom mounted outboard. If I am single handing under engine power and go overboard, then stopping the motor pronto might well be a very good survival measure.

 

[crewman]

I use the kill cord on my 4HP outboard on my Sonata. The other end is attached to the pushpit. Logic being if the bracket fails ( which it did once) outboard stops before it is submerged. Still attached by security chain and should not be too badly damaged.

 

[Caraway]

No and no.

Kill cords are for fast, planing, open boats where there's a risk of the coxswain being thrown overboard and the boat then becomes an unguided missile.

Pete

As usual. the regs are as clear as mud.

Q6. What boats need to have an Engine Cut-Off Switch installed?

A6. Boats less than 26 feet in length that generate more than 115lbs of static thrust (~ 2-3hp) and were built beginning in January 2020. If the boats’ primary helm is inside an enclosed cabin it is not required to have an Engine Cut-Off Switch."

Q12. Do I need to keep the Engine Cut-Off Switch Link attached at all times?

A12. No. The Engine Cut-Off Switch Link doesn’t need to be attached when the vessel is idling or performing docking maneuvers. The Engine Cut-Off Switch Link must be attached whenever the boat is operating on plane or greater than displacement speed

So plenty of scope for amateur lawyers to dispute the speed they were travelling at.

 

[siwhi]

I expect this will lead to a growth in the wireless and electronic kill-cord market, perhaps linked to an app on your smart phone or watch or a tag worn on the wrist or in the PFD. Which opens a new can of worms.

 

[Stemar]

What would be the difference between "greater than displacement speed" and "operating on plane". To me they sound like the same thing, but of such things are lawyers' mansions built.

 

[JumbleDuck]

What would be the difference between "greater than displacement speed" and "operating on plane". To me they sound like the same thing, but of such things are lawyers' mansions built.

I see a fair number of dumpy little motorboats going around the Clyde with the stern squatting down, above displacement speed but not on the plane and not going terribly fast. It seems to appeal to a certain type of person, who I suspect twenty years earlier debadged his Mum's car and fitted a large tailpipe to it.

 

[Stemar]

So we can expect a few cases being argued that displacement speed means hull speed. Personally, I've no argument with it. A heavy dinghy with a small OB probably doesn't need one so much but, while my 3.5HP won't quite get my flubber over the hump, it's certainly a good idea to use the cord once the bow starts to lift.