April 1, 2021, the United States Coast Guard implemented regulations requiring that certain boats have mandatory engine cut-off devices. This regulation requires that operators of vessels less than 26 feet in length, with open-helm stations, must wear a link that shuts off the engine in the event an operator is ejected from the vessel or thrown from the helm station. This Federal Law applies only to boats manufactured after January 1, 2020, with 3 horsepower engines or greater. The Engine Cut-Off Switch link must be attached whenever the boat is operating on the plane or greater than displacement speed.

To learn more about this new regulation head to the USCG Engine/Propulsion Engine Cut-Off Device FAQ page.

For more information or any questions, please reach out to MRAA’s government relations manager, Chad Tokowicz at chad@mraa.com.