Hb1045

[codeman671]

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE



In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four



AN ACT relative to requiring a powerboat operator to wear an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) while operating certain powerboats traveling over headway speed.



Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:



1 New Section; Powerboat Engine Cut-Off Switch. Amend RSA 270 by inserting after section 30-c the following new section:

270:30-d Powerboat Engine Cut-Off Switch.

I.(a) "Engine cut-off switch (ECOS)" means a system of lanyards, electronic switches, fobs, or similar devices manufactured specifically for the purpose of disabling propulsion or a vessel engine when the operator is unexpectedly displaced from the vessel's helm.

(b) "Headway speed" means the slowest speed that a boat can be operated and maintain steerage way.

(c) "Enclosed cabin" means a space on board a vessel that is surrounded by bulkheads and covered by a roof.

II. No person shall operate a powerboat less than 26 feet long, or outboard engine with greater than 115 pounds of thrust or 3 horsepower, at greater than headway speed unless the person is wearing an ECOS.

III. Paragraph II shall not apply if:

(a) The main helm of the vessel is installed within an enclosed cabin.

(b) The vessel or outboard engine was manufactured prior to 2020 and was not equipped with an ECOS.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Basically if its less than 26' long and/or has an outboard over 3hp you are wearing a lanyard. If older than 2020 and isn't equipped with a shutoff you are exempt.

The good news is the C-nile is exempt! Rock on Capt Steve