We found it stowed in a boat the other day -and it’s in amazing, nearly new condition!

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Not only is this stylish, it has a stainless steel clasp on the strap and an actual metal zipper. Someone picked this out in a sporting goods store a long time ago with the intention of being safe on the water, while still looking sharp - not always an easy mix!

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We often talk about the stuff left behind in the boats we buy, sometimes really cool, but mostly trash - from rusty fish hooks, outdated flares, a lifetime supply of sunscreen, various forms of birth control, tools (some good, some rusty), quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies, articles of moldy clothing, lots of yesterday’s “as seen on tv” stuff, tons of life jackets, lots of flashlights, some water skis, paddles, tow ropes, the occasional CB radio, disposable rain ponchos, fish measuring devices, monofilament line, and keys to nothing - but this - this is a pretty sweet life jacket.

 

So, all personal flotation devices (PFDs) sold in the United States have a Coast Guard label with info about the type of PFD, size, weight limits, and amongst other things, a lot number. It’s there for quality control, so the Coast Guard can dial in any issues to the batch.

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Based on the lot number we contacted Stearns, now owned by Coleman to request a manufacture date - turns out our vest was made in the 4th quarter of 1976 - so apparently about the time Ford was leaving and Carter was coming in, plaid was big amongst sportsman.

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Come to think if it - literally, just now - my dad had a red plaid Coleman thermos that looked a lot like this vest. That thermos full of coffee along with Dad’s camera bag were standard equipment on the family Grady White back in the 70s and 80s.

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Folks have been wearing flotation devices in one form or another for a long time, in-fact evidence suggests the first PFDs were actually inflated animal skins and bladders used over 3000 years ago to keep invading Assyrian armies laden down with heavy weaponry afloat as they traversed the moats of their enemies.

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In the 1800s folks began experimenting with bulky designs, mostly made of cork or balsa wood filled canvas. These were stiff, uncomfortable, and not always a safe alternative.

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It’s hard enough to get folks to wear the modern comfortable vests of today, imagine trying to get your passengers to don a bulky sack of cork, or worse a pig batter!

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It wasn’t until the Motor Boat Act of 1910 that life preservers (along with lights, whistles, and fire-extinguishers) were mandated by the federal government.

This ushered in a new generation of more comfortable life preservers with buoyancy coming from a light, fluffy cotton-like tropical seed called Kapok.

These are the vests you’d see the men of WWII wearing on the decks of war ships and storming the beaches of Europe.

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For most Americans, the first real exposure to life jackets came during World War II.

Generally the men on the decks of ships and landing on beaches wore these Kapok filled vests, while the aviators wore a new, more compact inflatable rubber coated vest affectionally referred to as the “Mae West.”

These would inflate with the pull of a string, which engaged two liquid carbon dioxide tanks, converting the contents to gas, much like today’s more modern CO2 powered inflatable vests.

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Ms. West, by the way, was an ample bosomed film and Broadway star, comedian, playwright, sex symbol and activist whose work spanned 70 years and whose namesake life vests saved thousands of servicemen.

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Kapok was phased out in the 1980s as it naturally loses buoyancy over time and can actually absorb water - so check your PFD stash and toss out the old stuff!

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Most life jackets of today are made of multiple thin layers of foam sheets. It’s inexpensive to produce and can’t absorb water.

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We buy a lot of boats, and most come with a few life jackets - literally hundreds of life jackets make their way through York County Marine every year.

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Some are newer and usable. We’ll occasionally include them with boats, or donate them, but most are older, and like everything else stowed on a boat, a bit mildewy. We often cut them open and use the thin foam sheets for protective padding when shipping boats.

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While these vests may get you past a Coast Guard inspection, I’d really prefer you pick out life vests that fit, are comfortable, and that your family will actually wear!

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So, back to these newer inflatable vests of WWII, not only were they reliable, but they also kept the user in a face up position, which had been a real problem with earlier vests - some of which could rotate the user into an upside-down position, often with tragic consequences.

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Life vest advocates, myself included, like to remind fellow boaters that when someone actually needs a life vest, they may be severely injured or unconscious and unable to maintain a face-up posture, much less put one on.

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In my family we wore life jackets as kids, but once we hit a certain age, I guess early teens, we no longer had to, at least not when on the family boat - and why should we - we grew up with a neighborhood pool, we were all good swimmers!

- According to the National Safe Boating Council, 2/3 of all drowning victims were “good swimmers.”

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We were expected to wear a life jacket when boating unsupervised, but at some point, it just became acceptable to simply have one PFD stowed onboard for every passenger, as per the law.

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It wasn’t until much later in life that I decided to wear one whenever underway on a boat. There were a lot of factors that influenced that decision.

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Family pressure was one, wanting to set a good example another.

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Also realizing that all military, law enforcement, and maritime professionals wear them - I probably should too?

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I remember doing sea trials with clients who declined our (at the time optional) life vest suggestion, some were older, some not so steady on their feet.

It was a real concern for me.

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Eventually I changed the policy, and I encourage you to do the same -it’s your boat, you’re the captain, you make the rules.

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If you’re on one of our boats, the vest is mandatory.

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Also there was this night a few years ago when a couple of kids in their 20s drowned on the creek within eyesight of my dock. They were in a canoe, it was late and all presumptions were that they had been drinking.

The next day law enforcement boats from several jurisdictions were searching the waters, a Coast Guard helicopter was flying nonstop, even drones were searching the shore lines.

Waterfront property owners in the area were encouraged to walk their shorelines, and search parties were organized of all ages.

It took the authorities the entire day to find both bodies.

They brought in experts on currents, did some triangulations and figured out where to look, the state police divers pulled up the second body around 5:30 that evening.

While I was walking the shoreline, the brother of one of the two kids pulled up in a boat, he was doing the same. He seemed optimistic, this was just like his brother, and he’d show up later.

It was sad and tragic, and it was simple to me, if those kids had worn a life vest they would not have sunk, they would have floated.

They'd probably be here today, telling a different story about the night they learned a great lesson, maybe they’d have kids, and probably they’d make them wear life vests.

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Similar scenarios play out every year on waterways across the country.

Rarely will you hear of a boating fatality in which the person was actually wearing a life vest - 83% of boat related drownings were not wearing a life vest - also a National Safe Boating Council stat.

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Most popular excuses - too hot, uncomfortable, tan lines - but it often just gets down to not being the cool thing to do.

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So, what’s the law say?

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Federal Law requires that when a vessel is underway, children under 13 must where a lifejacket. The exception would be below deck or within an enclosed cabin.

State laws may differ and as I understand it, the federal law does not supersede the state law, but is used in states that do not have life jacket laws, as well as in federal waters.

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Realizing this is already a bit long winded, here’s a bit more on life jackets…

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There are 5 Classifications of types of PFDs

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Type I - Offshore Life Jackets, designed to keep you face up, in rougher open waters where rescue times may be increased. These tend to be bulky and uncomfortable, they are mandatory on all commercial vessels.

They are always going to be orange, as orange strongly contrasts with blue and gray waters, making the wearer easier to locate. In the early 1900s they might have been white, blue or gray which unfortunately caused many victims to be lost at sea.

 

Type II - These are the bulky, generally orange or yellow life jackets that are found on nearly every boat -the ones that no one really likes to wear! They’re slightly more comfortable but less buoyant than a Type I, and designed for inshore or near shore use where rescue will hopefully not take too long, and may not turn an unconscious person face up.

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Type III - These vests are recommended for protected, inland water near shore, where chances of immediate rescue are good.

They’re not suitable for extended survival in rough water, and not designed to turn unconscious people face up in water.

They tend to resemble an actual vest, and are more comfortable to wear than a Type I or a Type II, but also provide less floatation.

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Type III vests are available in inflatable models that provide even more comfort and versatility than any other, making them more likely to be worn. We wear type III automatic inflatables whenever we’re underway.

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Type IV - Throwable Devices - These are NOT to be worn, they are to toss to a person in a man overboard situation. They are also required to be easily accessible at all times on all boats.

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Type V - Special Use PFDs are to be used only for their designed purpose (which is stated on the label) such as white water rafting, kayaking, wind surfing, etc. Type V vests must be worn (not stowed) to meet USCG requirements.

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Back to that Stearns red plaid Vest, it’s a bit large, but if worn over a thick shirt, hoodie, or sweater , would look quite dapper. I may just wear it to dinner on chilly evenings.

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Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend, remember what it’s all about, and also enjoy the rest of National Safe Boating Week!

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Congress, by joint resolution approved June 4, 1958 (36 U.S.C. 131), as amended, has authorized and requested the President to proclaim annually the 7-day period prior to Memorial Day weekend as "National Safe Boating Week.”

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YCM a different kind of boat dealer