Mandatory PFD Use Beginning November 1 through April 30

There's a new boating regulation that starts on November 1, 2012 in all Pennsylvania waters, which includes much of the Upper Delaware River System.  Staright form the Fish & Boat Commission regulations: 

"...a person shall wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) during the cold weather months from November 1st through April 30th while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak."

The New York Water come under the same regulation from a law passed in that state in 2009. The New York regulation states:

"No owner or operator of a pleasure vessel less than twenty-one feet, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks shall permit its operation, between November first and May first, unless each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely fastened United States Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of an appropriate size when such vessel is underway."

So, since all the Upper Delaware River system either borders New York or is in New York the PFD regulation isn't really anything new.  Just look at this post as a reminder.