Baby on board?

Descant · 06-06-2017, 10:56 PM

I think the only legal question is that 12 and under wear a PFD in a boat. If your baby is too small for a PFD, wait a couple days. They grow faster than you think. Island residents have been transporting babies in boats for at least the last 100 years. More (kids) are lost in pools than in boating mishaps. It is a lot easier to fall into a pool (off a dock) than it is to fall out of a boat. Nevertheless, you can't let down your guard around water in any context.

Knomad · 06-07-2017, 05:45 AM

Make sure they are wearing an infant PFD at all times near the water. It should fit them properly so they cannot slip out of it. If it is too big, the child is to small to be on a boat.

Also, DO NOT strap them in a car seat. Some will act as an anchor, others will turn their head face down in the water.

Keep a close eye on them at all times.

nhcatrider · 06-07-2017, 07:09 AM

Bright colors. If an accident were to happen, bright colors are much easier to spot on the water making it much easier to locate your child. My youngest daughter has been in the water since she was 2 and we always bought the brightest colored pfd we could find in her size.

Phantom · 06-07-2017, 09:05 AM

The question asked & answered is "Is it Legal" to have an infant in the boat-- (Answer - Yes)

bobkatfly - one tricky part, although I honestly do not think Marine Patrol would be this picky for an "infant in arms"-- there are a LOT of infant/youth life jackets available at Walmart, BJ's, et al ........... most of them are "pool" preservers ........ you want something that is "Coast Guard Approved" and it will be clearly marked as such.

Again, I honestly do not think Marine Patrol would get that picky as the infant is literally in the arms of an adult -- none the less, as they get older - same thing applies -- look for those that are APPROVED FLOATATION.

.

persistence · 06-07-2017, 11:19 AM

DO IT!

Biggest thing I worried about on a smaller boat was their head bobbing around at speed. Ive seen adults get hurt hitting waves wrong. So, on the smaller boats, we take it easy. At least until their sitting up pretty stable.

We have a 31' in Boston and we are able to bring the car seat aboard for them to stay in. Then mainly worry that their out of the sun and well ventilated from fumes etc.

My 1st son was born nov so we had him out the next June. My 2nd son was March this year, and he will be out this summer. Hopefully, this weekend!

noreast · 06-07-2017, 04:24 PM

I've seen people hang those Jumpy swings from there Bimini. Can't speak to the safety of it, But I would love to have one for me, I'd sleep like a baby.

FlyingScot · 06-08-2017, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persistence

DO IT!

Biggest thing I worried about on a smaller boat was their head bobbing around at speed. Ive seen adults get hurt hitting waves wrong. So, on the smaller boats, we take it easy. At least until their sitting up pretty stable.

We have a 31' in Boston and we are able to bring the car seat aboard for them to stay in. Then mainly worry that their out of the sun and well ventilated from fumes etc.

My 1st son was born nov so we had him out the next June. My 2nd son was March this year, and he will be out this summer. Hopefully, this weekend!

I hope you don't buckle the car seat. On the small chance the PFD is needed, it may not be able to hold both the baby and the added weight

tis · 06-08-2017, 08:08 AM

My granddaughter was born in March and starting in May she was in the boat with me all the time. She started out in a carriage bed with of course a life jacket. I was alone with her a lot (not for a long time-just to go across the bay) and it worked perfectly. Of course use common sense as mentioned. Our latest just had her first boat ride last week, she is older, 6 months, but sat in her mother's lap and went right to sleep.

persistence · 06-09-2017, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterG

I hope you don't buckle the car seat. On the small chance the PFD is needed, it may not be able to hold both the baby and the added weight

hi, no we don't. And the carriage or chair falling off the dock is a fear. We keep it down low in the helm area where the sides are chest level so he's really not near the water. It's a good point though, and I'll say I probably more worry about walking down the dock with him making sure i don't trip, etc .

With the 2yo we got some good advice to put the pfd on him when we get out of the car and let him walk down to the boat with it on. He'll even keep it on once we're back on land. which is ok by me

06-07-2017, 09:05 AM	#4
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,936 Thanks: 452 Thanked 603 Times in 340 Posts	The question asked & answered is "Is it Legal" to have an infant in the boat-- (Answer - Yes) bobkatfly - one tricky part, although I honestly do not think Marine Patrol would be this picky for an "infant in arms"-- there are a LOT of infant/youth life jackets available at Walmart, BJ's, et al ........... most of them are "pool" preservers ........ you want something that is "Coast Guard Approved" and it will be clearly marked as such. Again, I honestly do not think Marine Patrol would get that picky as the infant is literally in the arms of an adult -- none the less, as they get older - same thing applies -- look for those that are APPROVED FLOATATION. . __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

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06-06-2017, 10:56 PM	#1
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,597 Thanks: 1,418 Thanked 1,705 Times in 1,109 Posts	I think the only legal question is that 12 and under wear a PFD in a boat. If your baby is too small for a PFD, wait a couple days. They grow faster than you think. Island residents have been transporting babies in boats for at least the last 100 years. More (kids) are lost in pools than in boating mishaps. It is a lot easier to fall into a pool (off a dock) than it is to fall out of a boat. Nevertheless, you can't let down your guard around water in any context.

06-07-2017, 05:45 AM	#2
Knomad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Center Tuftonboro Posts: 174 Thanks: 0 Thanked 33 Times in 19 Posts	Make sure they are wearing an infant PFD at all times near the water. It should fit them properly so they cannot slip out of it. If it is too big, the child is to small to be on a boat. Also, DO NOT strap them in a car seat. Some will act as an anchor, others will turn their head face down in the water. Keep a close eye on them at all times.

06-07-2017, 07:09 AM	#3
nhcatrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 167 Thanks: 19 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts	Bright colors. If an accident were to happen, bright colors are much easier to spot on the water making it much easier to locate your child. My youngest daughter has been in the water since she was 2 and we always bought the brightest colored pfd we could find in her size.

06-07-2017, 11:19 AM	#5
persistence Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 109 Thanks: 6 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	DO IT! Biggest thing I worried about on a smaller boat was their head bobbing around at speed. Ive seen adults get hurt hitting waves wrong. So, on the smaller boats, we take it easy. At least until their sitting up pretty stable. We have a 31' in Boston and we are able to bring the car seat aboard for them to stay in. Then mainly worry that their out of the sun and well ventilated from fumes etc. My 1st son was born nov so we had him out the next June. My 2nd son was March this year, and he will be out this summer. Hopefully, this weekend!

06-07-2017, 04:24 PM	#6
noreast Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 648 Thanks: 316 Thanked 120 Times in 93 Posts	I've seen people hang those Jumpy swings from there Bimini. Can't speak to the safety of it, But I would love to have one for me, I'd sleep like a baby.

06-08-2017, 08:08 AM	#8
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,945 Thanks: 795 Thanked 1,493 Times in 1,040 Posts	My granddaughter was born in March and starting in May she was in the boat with me all the time. She started out in a carriage bed with of course a life jacket. I was alone with her a lot (not for a long time-just to go across the bay) and it worked perfectly. Of course use common sense as mentioned. Our latest just had her first boat ride last week, she is older, 6 months, but sat in her mother's lap and went right to sleep.