Coast Guard reminds mariners of new requirements for engine cut-off switch

The Coast Guard sent out a press release Tuesday reminding mariners of new laws requiring recreational boats to use an Engine Cut-off Switch, or ECOS, and an associated ECOS link.

The engine cut-off switch deactivates the engine of the vessel should the driver be ejected. This would prevent the craft from becoming a runaway vessel.

The law went into effect on April 21^st and applies to all boats less than 26 feet that generates more than 115 pounds of static thrust and was built beginning in January 2020.

According to the press release, there have been two incidents involving runaway vessels in Alaskan waters; one of which resulted in death.