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Kayaks, canoes, inflatable rafts and paddleboards are increasing in
popularity with the summer heat. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission (PFBC) is reminding operators of these watercraft that it is
important to know what safety equipment and regulations apply.
“Currently, unpowered boats are not required to be
registered, unless they are being used at a state-owned access such as a
Commission access area or lake or Pennsylvania state parks and state
forests,” said Ryan Walt, PFBC boating and watercraft safety manager.
“In these cases, you must either have your non-powered boat registered
or have a launch permit issued by the Commission or the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources.”
The cost to register a non-powered boat or to buy a launch
permit is the same - $10 for one year or $18 for two - but
registration provides additional benefits to the owner, Walt added. “By
registering your boat, the information is recorded in our system and we
can help you and the authorities locate it if it is ever lost or
stolen.”
Registration also makes the renewal process easier. “Once
your boat is registered, we will send you a renewal notice three months
before the period is up,” said Walt. “It’s convenient and allows the
owner to spend more time thinking about paddling and less time worrying
about whether they renewed their registration or have a current launch
permit.”
In addition to the registration requirement, important life-saving equipment is required to be carried on non-powered crafts.
Life jackets:
Every person in a kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or
paddleboard must have on board a readily accessible U.S. Coast
Guard-approved, wearable type I, II, III, or V life jacket of
appropriate size. Children 12 years of age and younger must wear their
life jackets while underway on any boat 20 feet or less in length and
on all canoes and kayaks. Life jackets save lives, so Wear It!
Sound producing device:
Unpowered boat operators are required to carry a device
capable of sounding a prolonged blast for 4-6 seconds that can be heard
by another boat operator in time to avoid a collision. An athletic
coach’s whistle is an acceptable sound producing device. Clip it to your
life jacket for easy access.
Lights:
Any kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard on the
water after dusk must have a hand-held or installed white light to be
displayed in time to avoid a collision with another craft. When
anchored or moored after dusk, an all-round white light must be
displayed where it can best be seen 360 degrees.
Additional information about paddleboards:
Paddleboards are considered boats as defined by the U.S.
Coast Guard if they are used outside the narrow limits of a swimming,
surfing, or a bathing area. As such, they are subject to regulations
administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the PFBC, including life
jacket, sound producing device and navigation light requirements.
Additional information about inner tubes, float tubes, and inflatable rafts:
Pennsylvania has no general law prohibiting the launching of
inner tubes or tubing on Pennsylvania rivers. Whether it is legal to
launch or retrieve inner tubes at a particular access area depends on
the regulations for that site. For instance, it is unlawful to launch
or retrieve swimming aids, such as inner tubes and similar devices,
from access areas managed for fishing and boating by the PFBC.
However, on PFBC-controlled lakes, float tubes can be used
if the user is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, is
lawfully fishing, and is not propelled by a mechanical device. A float
tube is defined as a device constructed to provide stable flotation and
a level ride to a single angler in a manner that minimizes the
possibility of capsizing. If using an inflatable raft on Commission
property the raft must be at least 7 feet in length, made of durable,
reinforced fabric and have at least two separate buoyancy chambers
exclusive of any floor or bottom.
“As the summer continues to heat up, paddlers and tubers
will be hitting the water to cool down,” Walt said. “Remember, safe
boating saves lives, so know the waters you’re boating, always be on the
lookout for what’s happening around you, and ‘Wear It!’”.
Registrations and launch permits may be purchased through
PFBC offices, most county courthouses, boat dealers or through any
other PFBC issuing agent. The DCNR launch permit can be purchased from
any state park office. For more information see the Boat Registration
Section at: http://fishandboat.com/registration.htm.
