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Coast Guard dropping current type code scheme for life jackets
WASHINGTON (LOG NEWS SERVICE) — The Coast Guard has adopted a new rule that will authorize it on Oct. 22 to drop the current life jacket type code scheme — Type I, II, III, IV and V — that is currently used to label and dif- ferentiate the types of life jackets and their specific use. The Coast Guard said that the pur- pose of a final rule, which was pub- lished in the Federal Register on Sept. 22, is to remove references to type codes in its regulations on the carriage and labeling of Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices, to facilitate future adoption of new industry con- sensus standards for PFD labeling that more effectively convey safety infor- mation and to help harmonize its reg- ulations with PFD requirements in Canada and in other countries. Specifically, the Coast Guard said,
“this final rule will enable the Standards Technical Panel, the panel charged with the new industry consen- sus standards, to complete develop- ment of a standard for wearable PFDs without including unnecessary refer- ences to type codes. By paving the way for the Panel to develop a new stan- dard, this final rule supports the efforts of the U.S.-Canada Regulatory
Cooperation Council, a bilateral effort coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget to develop a North American Standard for lifejack- ets.’’
Chris Edmonston, BoatUS
Foundation for Boating Safety presi- dent and chairman of the National Safe Boating Council, said in a release that dropping the current life jacket classification system, which is unique to the United States and tends to con- fuse boaters, will help lead the way toward more comfortable and innova- tive life jacket designs, help boaters stay on the right side of the law, lower costs and save lives. Scott Croft, vice president of public affairs for BoatUS, said that although type coding is being removed as a Coast Guard requirement as of Oct. 22 manufacturers will continue to use Type I-V coding until newer labels are designed and approved, and new stan- dards are adopted. “Removing type coding is simply the first step in a multi-year process, which includes designing new labels and developing new, ‘harmonized’ standards. Once that is accomplished, manufacturers will then be able to get jackets approved under the new stan-
dards. It’s at that point that we’ll see life jackets without the cur- rent type coding on their labels. “Our friends in the life jacket manufacturing community fur- ther advise that 2017 is likely the earliest they could potentially
see any new life jacket standards on production lines. “Current life jackets that have Type I-V coding on their labels will be legal to sell and wear for the useful life of the jacket,” Croft said. The National Marine Manufactures Associate said that removing the codes the currently specify the various types of PFDs and their uses is a step toward harmonization our regulations for PFDs with those in Canada and in other countries. “We applaud the U.S. Coast Guard’s
work to help eliminate confusing from the PFD labeling system and ease the burden on boaters who may not be able to easily decipher the codes or
their meanings. We must now remain committed to edu- cating consumers about how best to choose a PFD for their specific needs,” said Nicole Vasilaros, director of federal and legal affairs for NMMA. NMMA warned that boaters must still abide by the
current standards when using life jackets marked with the Type I-V labeling. Running through April 15, 2015, the
BoatUS Foundation, the Personal Floatation Device Manufacturers Association and the NMMA are con- ducting an Innovations in Life Jacket Design Competition. With a top prize of $10,000, the contest seeks alterna- tives to the traditional life jacket. Entries are sought from groups or individuals, including collegiate design programs, armchair inventors and boat and fishing clubs. More information and a contest
entry form are available at
BoatUS.org/design.
The Log • October 10 - 23, 2014 • 29
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