The Jeff co sheriffs where making floatubers with out a PFD and a whistle get out of the lake yesterday. I dont know if they handed out tickets or not.

I got a float tube for my b-day last week and was wondering if I needed a pfd. I know it's a good idea but I don't know the regs. Anything else besides that and a whistle?

Joe: Where did you hear about this? I just talked to Sgt.Haines, Jeffco Sheriff's Dept., and he said there was one 12 ft Smokercraft cited by their marine patrol for no PFDs, but he said they are not checking float tubes! Like the Coast Guard, they're still not considering tube-type craft "a boat," yet.
I guess it's no big problem to let the rumor go, as it's not a bad idea to have a PFD and whistle (I usually do), but who's fibbing here?? If there's a real news story here, I'll get it into the papers, but... I'd need a witness or two.

I had three coustomers on sat that came in with the same story. forced off the lake for no PFD and hailing device

Yea, the official word is still out on whether or not float tubers must have a PFD etc. I have a fishing vest from Cabelas with a CO2 powered PFD built. Haven't needed it yet but gives my wife peace of mind

If you see those customers again, Joe/Jim, feel free to give them my phone number.
I don't have a wife (grin) but still feel better having my SOSpender CO2 PFD on me, and my pocket whistle to get my buddy's attention when I manage to land a fish...

I saw Phil Henry today, WDFW agent for E. Jefferson/Kitsap Counties, and asked about the PFD enforcement for tubers. He said a marine patrol RESERVIST named Gerry Magnuson (a Pt. Townsend school teacher)was probably the Sheriff's guy at Anderson that day. Maybe he got a bit carried away, and "unofficially" pulled the tubers off the lake. I'd still like to clear this up, so feed me any info you get.

What a dumbass rule. Next thing you know, you'll need one to drive across a damn bridge. My float tube IS a PFD.

Todd.

Most days I too have a PFD. His name is Ben and he is a forty year old truck driver with an enormous beer gut. He's basically a life jacket that buys the beer!