NMMA supports ABYC kill-switch standard

Posted on 09 September 2011

The National Marine Manufacturers Association recently joined with BoatUS and the American Boat and Yacht Council to conduct testing on the ease of using emergency stop lanyards, how much time it takes to put on an ESL and how long it takes to switch vessel operators while using an ESL.

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The testing was in response to the Coast Guard’s request for public input on whether it should require ESLs as a standard safety feature on propulsion machinery and starting controls installed on recreational boats less than 26 feet.

The testing captured data from eight boat operators with varying levels of experience who performed start/stop tests on four different vessels. The NMMA also conducted a survey of its members to determine the prevalence of ESLs within the existing recreational powerboat fleet.

This survey found that more than four in five builders of powerboats less than 27 feet already equip the majority (more than 90 percent) of their boats with ESLs and that more than three in five builders support a Coast Guard mandate on ESLs for boats less than 27 feet.

The NMMA compiled final comments for the Coast Guard that recommend it incorporate the existing ABYC standard for ESLs in future rulemaking because it allows for a variety of devices, does not mandate one solution and allows for future innovation.

The comments also recommend that any new ESL requirement become effective on new boats built on or after Jan. 1 of the second year after the effective date of any final rule.

Click here to read the full comments.

Comments

I seems to me that many boats already have the ESL installed, however, many of us don't already use them. A better use of resources would be in education and encouraged use rather then just regulations.

For those of you "balking" the regulation change as only more bureaucracy, please wake up. If common sense was the only thing required to operate a vessel safely and every boater used it, then I wouldnt have had to recover bodies during my Coast Guard carrer. Saftey is the only thing that can't be "overdone". So this rule may cause a couple of people to change a cord legnth or relocate a switch, big deal. Better safe than dead.

Before we jump on the bandwagon in favor of mandatory kill-switch use on ALL BOATS under 27', I still want to see how they can be practically used on an outboard-powered sailboat! Unless a remote located one is used, many sailors will be forced to virtually hang over the transom of their boats in order to get the cord to reach. Now I have a very hard time seeing how forcing me to sit closer to the outboard on my boat is going to be safer than being seated inside the cockpit. Using a longer cord will more or less defeat the whole reason for the kill-switch since the skipper could very likely hit the water and be mauled by the prop without having pulled the clip off the engine, stopping it.

For small (especially fast) powerboats, and for most inflatable boats (where most people tend to sit on one of the tubes to steer) I can see the need to use the kill-switch, but most if not all outboards built in the last 25 years have come with a kill-switch already...... why does the Government feel the need to step in? Commonsense should dictate when to use the cord, and how to attach it to one's person. I'm affraid of stupid lawsuits arising after someone fails to attach the cord properly to themselves and it fails to stop the motor in time. Not the outboard makers' fault..... the operator didn't use the kill-switch cord correctly..... but you know some high-paid lawyer will successfully sue the pants off the manufacturer when someone gets hurt!

Hmmm funny no statistics pertaining to injuries, loss of life or documented saves, just politically correct government intervention into personal responsibility.

Emergency shut is a must on small vessels - I have a 17 Mako and admit I have not used the lanyard on many occasions - growing concerned I was attracted to a more user friendly devise - no tangle- and no limitation to my distance from the helm - (Autotether) wireless - not saying this should be a requirement but for the concerned boater it could save your life.

Wow, if more than 90% of manufacturers already install them what do you need a new goverment regulation for?? I would think you would be getting together to "self regulate" you industry to keep the goverment out.

The emergency cut off switch should be required on all small boats. When we raced years ago, we made our own with a toggle switch, drilled with a small rope through the handle.

I know one time it saved me from a bad crash, after a wake thew me on the bass boats floor, and the boat almost went out of control heading for a dam.

I also detest calling it a kill switch, it confuses jurors, have testified in court several times.

Hooray... more government from the all knowing all caring bureaucrats!!

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