Step Toward Eliminating Confusion and Introduction of New Designs
ANNAPOLIS, MD. September 30, 2014 -- In a move that’s expected to benefit recreational boaters, on Oct. 22 the US Coast Guard will drop the current life jacket type code scheme -- Type I, II, III, IV and V -- that has been used for years to label and differentiate the types of life jackets and their specific use. Chris Edmonston, BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety President and Chairman of the National Safe Boating Council, said, “The boating safety community believes this move by the Coast Guard will help lead the way toward more comfortable and innovative life jacket designs, help boaters stay on the right side of the law, lower costs, and save lives.”
Explains Edmonston, “This is positive news is that we will no longer see a Type I, II, III, IV or V label on a new life jacket label after Oct. 22. This type coding was unique to the United States, tended to confuse boaters, limited choice and increased the cost of life jackets.” He says removing the type coding is a first step towards the adoption of new standards that will eventually simplify life jacket requirements for recreational boaters.
“This move is expected to lead to the introduction of new life jacket designs, especially those made in other countries as US standards will be more ‘harmonized,’ initially Canada and eventually the European Union,” said Edmonston. “Along with a wider variety, aligning our standards with those to our neighbor to the north and across the Atlantic will help reduce prices as manufacturers won’t have to make products unique to the US market.”
However, Edmonston cautions boaters must still abide by the current standards when using older life jackets marked with the Type I-V labeling, as they will remain legal for use. “We must continue to have a properly fitted life jacket for all aboard, and as always, you’ll need to follow the label’s instructions regardless of when it was made. Simply put, if you follow the label, you’re following the law.” A full list of the current life jacket types and descriptions can be found at BoatUS.org/life-jackets, and any update on new life jacket types and styles will be posted here when available.
In additional effort to help change the mindset of what a life jacket must look like, The BoatUS Foundation, the Personal Floatation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), recently kicked off a “Innovations in Life Jacket Design Competition” to seek out the newest technologies and design ideas. Running through April 15, 2015, the contest seeks entries from groups or individuals, including collegiate design programs, armchair inventors or even boat and fishing clubs. Entries may be as simple as hand-drawn theoretical designs to working prototypes and will be judged based on four criteria: wearability, reliability, cost and innovation. For more, go to BoatUS.org/design.
Bass Unlimited!!
Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith for what you hope is the greater good, and not overthink or over analyze the situation. Have you ever wondered why bass fishermen can't get their act together and form a powerful organization for the betterment of the sportfish (all black bass) and the waters that it swims in?
Odds are really good that most everyone reading this belongs to such an organization already - the NRA, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever...With so many anglers, especially so many bass anglers, why hasn't anyone ever put together a "Bass Unlimited" before now. The closest thing is a Texas state organization, but everything else along those lines has failed for one reason or another over the years. Hopefully, that is all about to change, and that change is starting right here in Indiana.
Wil Newlin, former open wheel racer and avid bass angler, has put in place the foundation for just such a national organization, Bass Unlimited. I recently spent over an hour talking with Wil about the new organization, and I believe he has put all the right pieces into place to make this work. While I can't mention all the industry personnel he has spoken with and is garnering support from "behind the scenes" (those news announcements will come), I was very impressed with what has been done to date. I quizzed him about the structure, organization, and possible pitfalls, and he really has "dotted the i's and crossed the t's" so to speak. I really think you're going to be hearing a lot about this group in the coming months, but it's going to take some unquestioned support to start gaining traction.
The basic structure though is all there to make this happen. Eventually, state chapters will get formed, and monies generated will come back to each state to work on a variety of projects, all with the specific intent of supporting and improving bass fishing and bass fisheries in each state. Yearly banquets (similar to DU) will be held, and corporate support will follow. With size and support will come political clout. Yes, it will take some time, but none of it will happen if we/you don't take that first step - or leap. As an Indiana angler, their vision should be incredibly appealing.
The quickest way to make this happen is to do what I did - and simply join! Don't over think it. Don't mull over it. Don't talk yourself out of it. Just give it a year and send in your $35 for an individual membership while it's fresh in your mind. There are even bass "club" memberships available. Speaking of, if you want Wil or one of their staff to come to your next club meeting and explain what they're trying to do, just contact them. Simply check out the "Bass Unlimited" website.
This really has a chance at succeeding, and you can trust that Wil and his staff have put in a ton of work getting everything in place to make this happen. They are truly committed to success. Now, we just need ALL bass anglers to also believe, and give them that chance to make a difference by joining. Please consider doing so!
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