97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB2839

 

Introduced 1/24/2012, by Sen. John G. Mulroe

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
625 ILCS 45/4-1  from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-1

    Amends the Boat Registration and Safety Act. Provides that certain provisions concerning flotation devices shall not apply to sailboards (instead of sailboats).


LRB097 17697 HEP 62911 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2839LRB097 17697 HEP 62911 b

1    AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Boat Registration and Safety Act is amended
5by changing Section 4-1 as follows:
 
6    (625 ILCS 45/4-1)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 314-1)
7    Sec. 4-1. Personal flotation devices.
8    A. No person may operate a watercraft unless at least one
9U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD of the following types or their
10equivalent is on board for each person: Type I, Type II or Type
11III.
12    B. No person may operate a personal watercraft or specialty
13prop-craft unless each person aboard is wearing a Type I, Type
14II, Type III or Type V PFD approved by the United States Coast
15Guard.
16    C. No person may operate a watercraft 16 feet or more in
17length, except a canoe or kayak, unless at least one Type IV
18U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD or its equivalent is on board in
19addition to the PFD's required in paragraph A of this Section.
20    D. A U.S. Coast Guard approved Type V personal flotation
21device may be carried in lieu of the Type I, II, III or IV
22personal flotation device required in this Section, if the Type
23V personal flotation device is approved for the activity in

 

 

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1which it is being used.
2    E. When assisting a person on waterskis, aquaplane or
3similar device, there must be one U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD
4on board the watercraft for each person being assisted or towed
5or worn by the person being assisted or towed.
6    F. No person may operate a watercraft unless each device
7required by this Section is:
8        1. Readily accessible;
9        2. In serviceable condition;
10        3. Of the appropriate size for the person for whom it
11    is intended; and
12        4. Legibly marked with the U.S. Coast Guard approval
13    number.
14    G. Approved personal flotation devices are defined as
15follows:
16        Type I - A Type I personal flotation device is an
17    approved device designed to turn an unconscious person in
18    the water from a face downward position to a vertical or
19    slightly backward position and to have more than 20 pounds
20    of buoyancy.
21        Type II - A Type II personal flotation device is an
22    approved device designed to turn an unconscious person in
23    the water from a face downward position to a vertical or
24    slightly backward position and to have at least 15 1/2
25    pounds of buoyancy.
26        Type III - A Type III personal flotation device is an

 

 

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1    approved device designed to keep a conscious person in a
2    vertical or slightly backward position and to have at least
3    15 1/2 pounds of buoyancy.
4        Type IV - A Type IV personal flotation device is an
5    approved device designed to be thrown to a person in the
6    water and not worn. It is designed to have at least 16 1/2
7    pounds of buoyancy.
8        Type V - A Type V personal flotation device is an
9    approved device for restricted use and is acceptable only
10    when used in the activity for which it is approved.
11    H. The provisions of subsections A through G of this
12Section shall not apply to sailboards sailboats.
13    I. No person may operate a watercraft under 26 feet in
14length unless a Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V personal
15flotation device is being properly worn by each person under
16the age of 13 on board the watercraft at all times in which the
17watercraft is underway; however, this requirement shall not
18apply to persons who are below decks or in totally enclosed
19cabin spaces. The provisions of this subsection I shall not
20apply to a person operating a watercraft on private property.
21(Source: P.A. 90-411, eff. 1-1-98.)