WI Rules Regarding Type IV PFD

  • pool13_jeff
    NW, IL
    Posts: 884
    October 9, 2004 at 12:08 am #1232953

    My FIL insists that I need a rope tied to the type IV, when in Wisconsin. All it says on the WI DNR’s website is that I need one (Type IV PFD). What do you fellas do?

    Many Thanks!

    danwi
    westby wi
    Posts: 864
    October 9, 2004 at 1:04 am #323673

    Guess im gonna have to read the rules.I have never heard of the rope thing. Mine is under the console for easy access and the few times i’ve been stopped they have never asked to see it,but no rope here

    Don Hanson
    Posts: 2073
    October 9, 2004 at 3:34 am #323678

    Wisconsin law requires boats 16ft and longer have at least on type IV cushion or ring bouy on board . It must be within reach when under power. It does not need to be attached to a rope.

    nick
    Lakeville, MN
    Posts: 4977
    October 11, 2004 at 9:44 pm #323859

    Quote:

    Wisconsin law requires boats 16ft and longer have at least on type IV cushion or ring bouy on board . It must be within reach when under power. It does not need to be attached to a rope.


    FYI so does MN, and yes I’ve been stopped and asked for it, and they said it needed to be more accessable then it was, I leave mine in the front of the boat in the little storage compartment that just snaps shut, and I pop the snaps off the cover when I’m on the water now.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    October 12, 2004 at 1:17 pm #323932

    Same here Rider! But never heard of the rope thing…

    BUT, the MN DNR go by their rules, which are very similar to the Coast Guards. You will find the County patrols read and define the rules in many differant ways…

    My advice…for what it’s worth keep your throwable device out, keep your pdf ON and nicely ask the CO to show you the laws so you can understand them better…about the rope.

    Bassn Dan
    Posts: 979
    October 13, 2004 at 10:07 pm #324186

    Quote:

    Wisconsin law requires boats 16ft and longer have at least on type IV cushion or ring bouy on board . It must be within reach when under power. It does not need to be attached to a rope.

    This has always struck me as another example of lawmakers not having an abundance of common sense. Doesn’t it seem a lot more likely that someone is going to fall from a boat smaller than 16 feet than a boat over 16 feet????

    I suppose they could be using the theory that everyone with a boat over 16 feet is responsible for rescuing everyone that falls out of a smaller boat.

    Dan

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