Texas governor signs kill-switch law

[reefrus]

On Monday, Texas Governor Greg Abbot signed a bill that requires boat operators to be physically connected to a boat’s emergency shutoff switch into law.

The bill was called “Kali’s Law,” after 16-year-old Kali Gorzell died in a 2012 boating accident in Port Aransas, Texas. According to TV station KVUE, a family friend was driving a boat that Gorzell was a passenger on when it “swapped ends.” The teenager fell off the boat and struck the propeller.

Her family believes that if the driver had been wearing the shutoff switch that Gorzell would still be alive.

“All new boats will have kill switches, which is a good thing,” said James Gorzell, Kali’s father, in an interview with KVUE sister station KENS. “We believe because of this, lives are being saved already.”

The law will go into effect on September 1.

[reelfast]

"Boat operators to be physically connected to a boats emergency shutoff switch" hmmm, I guess that mean connected to lanyard? Please everyone connect the lanyard to your life vest via the kill switch when you are running the big motor.

[jeremy86360]

Does anyone have a link to the actual bill/law. Would like to see the details. Stopped/engine running/in motion. What about motors without kill switches attached.

Wonder if a lawnmower style seat switch would count too....same effect without having to be clipped to something. Technically attached to your rear end when sitting. Wouldnt work if you stand to drive though. Maybe pressure mat on floorboard type stuff. One more thing to break i reckon.

[Gentleben]

https://www.ksat.com/news/gov-greg-abbott-signs-kalis-law-to-protect-boaters
thre's one
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/texas-governor-to-sign-kalis-law-after-teen-dies-in-2012-boat-accident/ar-AACFn36

[jeremy86360]

https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB337/2019

Moving at greater than headway speed.

Headway speed per TPWD: Slow, idle speed, or speed only fast enough to maintain steerage without creating a swell or wake.

[vett0111]

Thanks for the info

[AthensMike]

My little boat stops when I quit paddling.
Seriously. What do you guys think about this? This seems like common sense to me but I have never owned a big motor boat. I would think most newer boats already have this safety feature. I am guessing some folks choose not to use it. This makes me think about the helmet law for bikes.
Every time I see new legislation I immediately think about who profits from it.

[catfishjon]

I guess that means boat motors without the switch will have to be modified to comply with the law. I hear that the law is poorly written when it comes to the details. I am sure law enforcement will be checking.

[jeremy86360]

If it didnt come with a switch I think you are exempt.

[Gentleben]

There you go jeremey :
Make sure you're hook up to your kill switch, it is there for a reason

Kali’s Law was established in response to the fatality of Kali Gorzell, a 16-year-old girl who was struck and killed by a boat propeller near Aransas Pass in 2012. An ignition safety kill switch shuts off the boat motor automatically if the operator is thrown from the helm. The law requires operators of boats less than 26 feet in length that are equipped with an ignition safety kill switch to use it whenever the vessel is moving at greater than headway speed. Headway speed is defined as slow, idle speed, or speed only fast enough to maintain steerage on course.

The new law does not require the retrofitting of older vessels that are not equipped with a kill switch.. It does not permit the removal of a kill switch device that was originally installed on the vessel. Wireless kill switch devices are permitted for those with concerns about the lanyard style devices.

“Game wardens will be educating the public on the kill switch requirement,” said Cody Jones, Assistant Commander for Marine Enforcement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o-aJCSxdE4 why Texas had to pass auto kill switch law to prevent more fatalities