New throwable PFD requirement?

Yesterday at the boat launch another guy unloading his boat stopped for a second and asked me if I knew about the new rule this year requiring all craft on the Mississippi River to have a: throwable PFD in the boat (and not buried away in a storage compartment but actually OUT and ready for use), with 100 feet of rope attached. I’ve been checked before and been told by DNR that the PFD needs to be out but the 100′ of rope is new to me. The guy also said that this isn’t a requirement for inland lakes, only for the Misssissippi. Is this true? If so make sure you all get some rope, I saw 100′ parachute cord at Ace for $7.

The USCG rules say that a vessle over 21 feet must have a throwable with 100 feet of rope. UNDER 21 feet they do not require a throwable at all, this is where the MN boating rules kick in and require a throwable if over 16 feet. (no rope)

Not sure what other states require.

Heck I’d think BK’s Catfish Line should be sufficient.

That…is a fact.

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That…is a fact.

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The down side is that the line cast your way to save you comes with a 4 – 8 ounce no-roll sinker leading the way.

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That…is a fact.

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The down side is that the line cast your way to save you comes with a 4 – 8 ounce no-roll sinker leading the way.

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and a 10/0 hook to help secure you, and one pizzed off bully…

This is another reason catten’ is so fun…jokes…always jokes.

Back to the original question….

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The USCG rules say that a vessle over 21 feet must have a throwable with 100 feet of rope. UNDER 21 feet they do not require a throwable at all, this is where the MN boating rules kick in and require a throwable if over 16 feet. (no rope)

Not sure what other states require.

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I was just reading the Federal Requirments for Recreational boaters.

It states that all vessels over 16 feet must have a throwable…(no rope). This contrdicts what the enforcement fella told me during my inspection all though he might have been talking about commercial vessels.

I’ll have to look it up when I get home, no access to the CG rules from here.

Either way, it’s a very good idea to have a throwable. I haven’t heard anything about rope for a recreational vessle.

I have an extra rope with clip I use for ice fishing and the rope stays in the storage compartment of my boat when the ice season is done, yet readily accessable if needed. My throwable is always on the “captains” chair as it needs to be out. I also keep pfd’s on chairs for those that are in the boat. I personally wear mine when going from spot to spot (probably should at all times)and wear them when the kids are along as they HAVE to where them at all times until they’re at least ten. Good practice…
Oh and don’t forget your fire extinguisher (update) and whistle/horn.

Some years ago, the MN DRN, I mean DNR, stopped me and asked to see my throwable. I did have the 100 ft of rope attached to it. He threw a fit and told me to get that stinkin’ rope off that throwable and that was not the rules…… So, I politely asked him how I would retrieve it to pull the guy back to the boat, or rethrow it if my aim was not so good and missed the poor fella?
So, if Curt falls over and I toss my throwable—-is he on his own and can I troll on???? Sure would screw up a good trolling run to have to reel everything in and go buzzin’ around the river to chase down something that could be just pulled back to the boat and chuck a “mulligan” to the poor fella. Guess the DNR does not believe in “do overs”.
Poor Curt.

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Guess the DNR does not believe in “do overs”

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Not true! They just know Curt.

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Guess the DNR does not believe in “do overs”

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Not true! They just know Curt.

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Good Point Doc. I guess as long as they got something to hold on to as the current pulls them away all will be fine

P.S. Troll on

Wisconsin – I believe requires 100′ rope attached to your throwable.
Here is a great story.
A few years back I was fishing by MYSELF along THE BANK. Two wardens come along to check my license and reg. Everything was in order and my life vest was in the drivers seat and fire ext. was in order. All good, I thought. One of the wardens asks “where is your throwable?” I pulled it out from under my bilge lid where it lies right on top with the required 100′ of rope attached. Warden A asks “why isn’t it out on the deck?” Warden B gives me the eye roll(there are a few left with a brain). I sarcasticly replied “Do you think it is safe for me to have a cushion with 100′ of rope lying on the deck for me to trip over? And then while I’m splashing away WHO THE HELL IS GOING TO THROW IT TO ME, good day! Thought that one earned me a ticket. Warden B then said “Have a nice day” and started the engine.

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Wisconsin – I believe requires 100′ rope attached to your throwable.
Here is a great story.
A few years back I was fishing by MYSELF along THE BANK. Two wardens come along to check my license and reg. Everything was in order and my life vest was in the drivers seat and fire ext. was in order. All good, I thought. One of the wardens asks “where is your throwable?” I pulled it out from under my bilge lid where it lies right on top with the required 100′ of rope attached. Warden A asks “why isn’t it out on the deck?” Warden B gives me the eye roll(there are a few left with a brain). I sarcasticly replied “Do you think it is safe for me to have a cushion with 100′ of rope lying on the deck for me to trip over? And then while I’m splashing away WHO THE HELL IS GOING TO THROW IT TO ME, good day! Thought that one earned me a ticket. Warden B then said “Have a nice day” and started the engine.

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I scoured many WI DNR sites and saw nothing about a 100′ tether being attached to the throwable PFD. In fact, you can hardly find a throwable requirement in the main WI regs. Here is the only link I could find that mentioned the throwable. WI Regulations

Nice follow-up Ruger. Thanks.

I have a feeling the 100 feet of rope for WI was an old reg-that was the reason I had it on in the first place, other than it making sense.

I’m positive at one time the rope was required. It is possible it is a great lakes requirement or a requirement for boats over 18′

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I’m positive at one time the rope was required. It is possible it is a great lakes requirement or a requirement for boats over 18′

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PLEASE DON’T GUESS AND PROVIDE GOSSIP AND BAD DATA. Know what you are talking about, or don’t comment. Here are the Great Lakes regulations. USCG required equip

In Iowa its any boat over 16 ft. No rope needed but why wouldn’t ya?

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In Iowa its any boat over 16 ft. No rope needed but why wouldn’t ya?

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More junk to get in the way. I’d be willing to bet a 100′ rope would hinder a vast majority of attempts to get a type IV PFD to a overboard victim instead of help. I can see it being tangled around itself or stuff in the boat limiting throwing distance. I’d rather turn around and drive back to a person in the water who is floating on a PFD. Remember KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).

The rope makes no sense to me either on the bodys of water we fish. You want the throw-able to be a quick accurate way to save somebody and get them floating ASAP. The rope is going to hinder the throw for the most part. Once the person has the cushion you can worry about retriving them later.

Great Lakes and bigger bodys of water I can see where the rope would be a big asset though.