Please be aware there is currently a bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Watson for everyone on a boat in water to wear a coastguard approved life jacket.
I am strongly against this type of legislation for the following reasons:

1.    I don’t believe in government legislating our lives!
2.    I don’t believe this law can be enforced.
3.    These life jackets can be uncomfortable and on a clear, calm day they just aren’t necessary.
4.    I believe its everyone’s personal responsibility to determine whether they should or should not wear a life jacket.
5.    The exceptions in this law are much more dangerous than some other types of boating.  For example you won’t have to wear a lifejacket when going to your mooring in a small zodiac  or while in a canoe owned by a children’s summer camp?!
6.    What are the legal effects of this law on the regatta events and boat owners if a person is found not wearing a life jacket? (can’t control everyone’s actions all the time)
7.    The requirement to wear a life jacket will be another barrier to our sport as it will increase costs and possibly turn people away.
8.    Our sport sailing on the ocean has resulted in very few injuries or deaths from accidents involving people not wearing a life jacket.
9.    Many more people who aren’t familiar with the boating on lakes are impacted each year, usually due to the sea worthiness of the boat and the knowledge of the operator.  Not the use or lack of use of a life jacket.
10.    With the economy the way it is right now is this what we want our legislators focused on?  Don’t they have some better things to do like finding a way to attract more business, tourism, etc….

There are probably plenty more reasons to be against this legislation.

If you agree with my thoughts or oppose this legislation please contact Rep. Tom Watson and your local Maine Rep. to communicate your dissent.

To keep up to date on the status click this link here.

To read the proposed legislation click this link here.