Do you need to wear a life jacket on a kayak in NY?
According to New York’s Department of Parks & Recreation: Every recreational vessel, including canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, must have one USCG-approved life jacket onboard for each person. Any person being towed behind a vessel aboard any craft must wear a life jacket. The same requirements apply to a canoe or kayak (minus the throwable device). However, adults are not required to wear a life jacket while the boat is in operation. If the child is not wearing a life jacket, the parent (or the operator of the boat) will be the one who is fined.Both the U. S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada classify kayaks as vessels, meaning kayakers are required to follow personal flotation device (PFD) requirements in the same way as other types of boaters.All Personal Watercraft (PWC) occupants must be wearing a PFD. Any person towed behind a vessel must be wearing a PFD. All persons on any vessel (this includes motor boats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, or rowboats) less than 21 feet, must wear a life jacket from November 1 to May 1 when underway.
Can you drink while kayaking in NY?
Unlike driving, you “can” enjoy a drink or two while operating a boat in New York. However, if you become intoxicated while operating a boat, you can face legal repercussions, fines, and even a possible loss of your boating license. ALCOHOL possession and consumption is allowed from your vessel only. You may not bring alcohol on shore in day use areas. Alcohol is also permitted in your registered campsite. Boating Under the Influence (BUI) will be subject to arrest and booking into County Jail.Drinking While Kayaking: Legal Consequences While there are differences in testing and penalties, all states will take action if you are found to be impaired on the waterways. This applies to any drug, alcohol, or even medicine that can compromise your ability to pilot on the water.
When should you not go kayaking?
If you use the 120-degree rule, you would assume that if the water temperature is 50 and the air is 75 (50+75=125), then you are at a safe kayaking temperature of 125 degrees and don’t need thermal protection. However, the National Center for Cold Water Safety recommends caution when water is less than 70 degrees. A helpful guideline is the Rule of 120: if the sum of the air temperature and water temperature is less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you should wear thermal protection like a wetsuit or drysuit. But even this rule has limitations – always dress for the water, not the air.