On April 1, a new federal law went into effect that requires the operator of a boat with an installed Engine Cut-Off Switch to use the ECOS link. The link is usually a coiled bungee cord lanyard clipped onto the operator’s person, personal floatation device or clothing and the other end attached to the cut-off switch. There are also electronic wireless devices available.
When an operator is wearing a link while underway, the engine will cut-off if the operator is separated from the operating area, an occurrence that can happen if the operator is ejected from the vessel or falls within the vessel.
The law applies to “covered recreational vessels,” which means any motorized boat with 3 horsepower or more that is less than 26 feet in length. Most U.S. boat manufacturers have voluntarily installed an ECOS on their boats for decades. | uscgboating.org
