‘Kill’ Switches & Solo Boating
Published: Tuesday, May 25, 2021
By: Dan Armitage
It’s somewhat old news now but, as of April 1, if your boat is less than 26 feet long and equipped with an engine cut-off switch—or “kill switch”—the USCG requires the operator to use it. As a member of the boating media who first received the news back in late March, when I shared it via social media and with listeners of my radio show folks were up in arms about the new law. Most wondered if they were required to install the devices before boating this season. The short answer is, you don’t. But it took a while before boaters started reading the fine print and realized just what was required of them under the new regulation. I’ll share those details at the end of this column, including an FAQ that helps clear the fog a bit.
Meanwhile, as a frequent solo boater and angler, I value the corded device that will shut off my boat’s outboard if I fall overboard or otherwise stray too far from the helm. When fishing alone, I usually employ an Auto-Tether wireless shut off system that involves me wearing a small fob rather than being physically tethered to the vicinity of the wheel. When that fob gets wet or reaches a prescribed distance from the portable receiver unit placed at the helm, it sends a signal that shuts off the engine’s ignition.
That extra “play” allows me to move around the cockpit untethered, to set fishing lines, fight and land fish, etc. knowing that if I do accidently end up in the drink, the engine will stop and I can re-board the boat via a ladder I installed that can easily be deployed from the water.
Something I also do when fishing by myself, and probably should all the time aboard but frankly don’t, is wear a PFD. I’ve got one of those low-profile, auto-inflatable models from Stearns. I also file a verbal float plan with two people ashore to let them know where I intend to go and when I intend to be back. And if I am boating in a new area, I put the local USCG contact number in my cell phone’s speed dial.
Here’s the scoop, straight from the USCG:
Operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL) as of April 1, 2021, as the U.S. Coast Guard implements a law passed by Congress.
The ECOS and ECOSL prevent runaway vessels and the threats they pose. The ECOSL attaches the vessel operator to a switch that shuts off the engine if the operator is displaced from the helm. The ECOSL is usually a lanyard-style cord that attaches to an ECOS either in close proximity to the helm or on the outboard motor itself if the vessel is operated by a tiller. When enough tension is applied, the ECOSL disengages from the ECOS and the motor is automatically shut down. Wireless ECOS have recently been developed and are also approved for use. These devices use an electronic "fob" that is carried by the operator and senses when it is submerged in water, activating the ECOS and turning the engine off. Wireless devices are available on the aftermarket and are beginning to become available as manufacturer-installed options.
Each year the Coast Guard receives reports of recreational vessel operators who fall or are suddenly and unexpectedly thrown out of their boat. These events have led to injuries and deaths. During these incidents the boat continues to operate with no one in control of the vessel, leaving the operator stranded in the water as the boat continues on course, or the boat begins to circle the person in the water eventually striking them, often with the propeller. These dangerous runaway vessel situations put the ejected operator, other users of the waterway, and marine law enforcement officers and other first responders in serious danger.
Section 503 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 required manufacturers of covered recreational boats (less than 26 feet in length, with an engine capable of 115 lbs. of static thrust) to equip the vessel with an ECOS installed as of December 2019. Owners of recreational vessels produced after December 2019 are required to maintain the ECOS on their vessel in a serviceable condition. It is recommended that recreational vessel owners regularly check their existing ECOS system to ensure it works, following manufacturer's instructions.
Section 8316 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 requires individuals operating covered recreational vessels (less than 26 feet in length, with an engine capable of 115 lbs. of static thrust; 3 HP or more) to use ECOS "links." Using the ECOSL is required only when the primary helm is not within an enclosed cabin, and when the boat is operating on plane or above displacement speed. Common situations where ECOSL use would not be required include docking/trailering, trolling, and operating in no-wake zones.
The Coast Guard believes that the overwhelming majority of recreational vessels produced for decades have had an ECOS installed, so this new use requirement simply obligates recreational vessel operators to use critical safety equipment already present on their boat.
Seven states currently have ECOS use laws for traditional recreational vessels, and 44 states have ECOS use laws for personal watercraft (PWC).
Boaters are encouraged to check the U.S. Coast Guard website for additional information on this new use requirement and other safety regulations and recommendations:
https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/Engine-Cut-Off-Switch-FAQ.php
Here are some of the key FAQ’s offered by that link:
What is an Engine Cut-off Switch (ECOS)?
An Engine Cut-Off Switch is a safety mechanism used to shut off propulsion machinery when the operator is displaced from the helm.
What is an Engine Cut-Off Switch Link (ECOSL)?
An ECOSL is the device that connects the operator to the ECOS. The link must be attached to the operator, the operator’s clothing, or the operator's personal floatation device. It is typically a coiled lanyard, but may also be an electronic fob.
Who needs to use an Engine Cut-off Switch Link ECOSL?
All operators of recreational boats less than 26’ in length that have an Engine Cut-Off Device installed.
Why is it important to use an Engine Cut-Off Switch Link?
Boats can make sudden and forceful turns that create enough torque to eject an operator from the helm area or completely out of the boat. If thrown out of the boat, there is always the danger of a spinning propeller, especially since an unmanned boat can often start traveling in circles at the point where the ejection took place. Wearing your Engine Cut-Off Switch Link immediately stops the engine and allows the operator to regain control of the boat.
What are the benefits of using my Engine Cut-Off Switch and Engine Cut-Off Switch Link?
Engine cut-off switches are an important tool to prevent unnecessary accidents, injuries, and deaths caused by a recreational vessel operator being unexpectedly displaced from the helm. This includes situations where the operator is ejected from the vessel, which typically leads to a runaway vessel. In these scenarios, anyone in the water is a potential propeller-strike victim, all other vessels on the water face a collision hazard, and maritime law enforcement officers face additional risk in trying to bring the runaway vessel to a stop.
What boats need to have an Engine Cut-Off Switch installed?
Boats less than 26 feet in length that generate more than 115lbs of static thrust (~ 2-3hp) and were built beginning in January 2020. If the boats’ primary helm is inside an enclosed cabin, it is not required to have an Engine Cut-Off Switch.
I recently bought a 2020 model year boat; am I required to ensure that the Engine Cut-Off Switch and Engine Cut-Off Switch Link work?
Maybe. It depends on when the boat was built. If the boat was built in January 2020 or later, the Engine Cut-Off Switch systems must be maintained in working condition for the life of the boat, just like navigation lights or exhaust blowers.
About the Author
Dan Armitage is a popular Great Lakes-based outdoor writer and host of the Buckeye Sportsman show (buckeyesportsman.com), syndicated weekly on 30 radio stations across Ohio. Dan is a certified Passport to Fishing instructor and leads kids fishing programs at Midwest boat and sport shows, and is a licensed Captain with a Master rating from the US Coast Guard.
A version of this article appeared in the Launch Issue (May/June) 2021 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Law & Politics, safety
