Good morning folks: For the sake of a little "lighter" discussion I would like to offer a little addend to the floatation device discussion. I have found the application of "common sense" to sometimes be an interesting factor in the enforcement of safety equipment regulations. This "common sense factor" seems to be inversely related to the weight of the badge on the inspecting officers shirt (or blouse as the case may be). Case in point: I was checked by a Montana Game agent on the Clark Fork River late last summer. I had observed this young agent "shadowing" me with binoculars along the dirt road paralleling the river for some time before he approached. That should have been my first clue that I was "in for a hard time". My safety equipment had been inspected, and passed a couple other "on the water" inspections earlier in the summer. I store a type III "ski jacket" bungeed, close at hand, under each clients swivel seat, bow and stern (which is which?, that's another fun debate with which to entertain your friends over a scotch). I prefer this less bulky model due to the fact that though they are always available to clients, they are rarely used. A larger type V "white water" jacket is stored under my seat. This jacket is the "most used", as I will sometimes evacuate clients from the boat asking them to walk around particularly nasty diversion dams &/or rapids in the interest of safety. I then don this jacket to run said stretches in the "empty" boat. Upon inspection of my equipment, this young officer made me aware of the fact that I was not in compliance, as the law required Type III jackets, not type V. I demonstrated to the officer that the type V, a Stearns, sports the exact same 3 strap and buckle arrangement and hardware as the lighter "ski jackets". Extra floatation and a large "collar" being the only differentiating features, "donning speed" would be the same for both types of devices. I was informed that the type V is designed to be worn at all times, and sure enough that is exactly what the small print on the labels indicated. He then informed me that I would be cited if I was "caught" with this "overkill" equipment again. Explanation of my use of the "white water" jacket in dangerous water was to no avail. Go figure! Have a good day, Tom
