ENGINE CUTOFF SWITCH

On April 1, 2021, a new federal boating-safety law went into effect, requiring mandatory ECOS use. What is an ECOS? It’s an engine cutoff switch (or ECOSL, engine cutoff switch link). Test your knowledge of this new law.

1. Engine cutoff switches are mandatory in which situations?

A. Boats with 115 static pounds of thrust or more (about 2 to

3 hp)

B. Boats less than

26 feet long

C. Boats operating above displacement speed (“on plane”) D. None of the above E. All of the above

2. Your boat has an ECOS, but the lanyard is broken and won’t attach to your life vest anymore. What should you do? A. Leave it on the switch; at least you could grab it and pull it, stopping the engine if needed.

B. Go to your marine dealer and buy a new lanyard.

C. Use a belt clip to repair the lanyard. D. Don’t worry about it; no one ever uses the lanyard anyway. E. None of the above

3. Your engine is an older 1960s Evinrude 40 hp Lark model. There is no law requiring you to have an ECOS, but you want to install one for safety’s sake. Can you adapt one?

A. No, you will have to use the choke knob to shut off the engine. B. You can, but it will require an expensive adapter to make the ECOS work. C. Installing an ECOS on an older engine like this is possible by wiring the switch between the points and ground.

D. None of the above

4. Your center-console boat has an ECOS, but you don’t wear it because the lanyard gets in the way, and several times you’ve inadvertently shut off the engine by moving away from the helm. Can you get an exemption from the law due to this problem?

A. Yes. Just apply to the US Coast Guard for an exemption sticker. B. No. If your boat is less than 26 feet long and you’re operating it on plane, you need to connect your ECOSL.

C. No. If the lanyard is a nuisance, consider a wireless ECOS, such as the one offered by Fell Marine.

D. B and C

E. None of the above

5. Besides increased safety, name another benefit of installing an ECOS on your boat. A. Your boater friends will think you’re much cooler.

B. Your boat will appear more modern. C. Chances of someone stealing your boat will be reduced if you remove the ignition key and ECOSL because thieves will need an ECOSL to run your boat.

D. None of the above

6. Your boat has a high-performance racing-style outboard with a separate electric fuel pump. Your engine has an ECOS, and it works fine to shut off the engine when the ECOSL is pulled. But the fuel pump stays running even with the engine off because it’s wired directly to the ignition switch. Should you change this setup?

A. No. Shutting off the engine is enough.

B. It’s not possible to change it, so leave it be.

C. Absolutely. Install a separate ECOS for the fuel pump, and attach both lanyards to your life vest when running.

D. Yes. Wire in a dual-purpose ECOS, one that shuts off the engine and fuel pump when the ECOSL is pulled.

E. C and D