An Act concerning the operation of vessels on the waters of this State
and supplementing P.L.1962, c.73 (C.12:7-34.36 et
seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.12:7-47.1 Child under 12 required to wear personal flotation device on vessel underway.
1. a. Every person who operates a vessel on the waters of this State with a child 12 years of age or under on board shall have the child wear at all times a properly fitted United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device whenever the vessel is underway.
b. Any person guilty of violating this act shall be fined not less than $25 or more than $50.
c. The operator of a vessel shall not be guilty of a violation of this
act if a United States Coast Guard flotation device of a size to
properly fit the child is not commercially available.
C.12:7-47.2 Rules, regulations.
2. The Boat Regulation Commission shall, pursuant to the "Administrative
Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et
seq.), adopt any rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the
purposes of this act. The commission shall exempt any class
of vessel from the requirements of this act if it deems that the size
or purpose of the vessels in a specific class make the
requirements unnecessary or inappropriate. The class of vessel exempt
from the requirements of this act shall include, but need
not be limited to, the class of vessels in which large commercial tour
or ferry boats are listed.
3. This act shall take effect January 1, 1999, but section 2 shall take effect immediately
Approved July 10, 1999.