Do rowers need to wear PFDs? (Personal Flotation Devices)

Some Sagamore scullers were recently pulled over by our local harbormasters for failing to wear life preservers while rowing. Many of us thought that the oars were considered PFDs.

Research conducted by a new Sagamore member, Claudia Pace, has discovered the actual laws pertaining to sculling and water safety.

Claudia found the federal and state Navigation Laws that address the aspects of personal floatation devices and racing shells. It turns out that racing shells are not considered small craft for the purposes of the safety laws, and hence rowers are not required to wear PFDs.Copies of the laws were sent to the local marine law enforcement agencies, but you might want to make a mental note of the laws names (and numbers) in case you're ever stopped.

Here are Claudia's comments, followed by links to the text of the laws..

While the federal regs specifically exclude racing shells from any pfd requirement at 33 CFR 175.17 (c) following 175.15 (which sets up for up exceptions) and 175.3 (4) paragraph 2 (which defines racing shell, rowing scull...as a discreet category of vessel. CFR 175.5 allows a state to promulgate pfd laws to afford greater protection to certain categories of boaters. New York jusisdiction over the waters is made clear at sections 4 & 5 within Article 1. Section 6 addresses the definition of "vessel" from which rowing sculls and racing shells are excluded. see, 6 (d). Provision follows for any accompanying launches to carry pfd's should the need arise ! Please note this does not specifically set forth a requirment for a launch escort. The section governing "vessel" equipment requirements speaks to the necessity of pfd's in 'rowboats and canoes'...from which category racing shells and rowing sculls are excluded as above. see 40.1 (a) within Article 4.

If you have any comments of questions, please email Claudia Pace or Sagamore's Webmaster

Row safely!