Safety Requirements And Procedures

(1) Commercial NMV outfitters must provide life jackets to occupants of NMVs in accordance with United States Coast Guard regulations. RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING COMMERCIAL CHAPTER 1660-04-01 NON-MOTORIZED VESSEL OUTFITTERS (2) If a canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board is leased or rented, then the NMV must be equipped with the appropriate paddles and/or oars for the particular NMV and its occupants. (3) If a paddle board is leased or rented for use on open water (e.g., lakes, reservoirs, ponds, etc.), then the NMV must be equipped with an appropriate paddle board leash. (4) If a canoe, kayak or stand up paddle board is leased or rented, then the NMV must be equipped with a life jacket of the appropriate size for the person on the NMV. (5) If a person on board the NMV is 12 years old or younger, then that person must wear a life jacket at all times while on the NMV. (6) Commercial NMV outfitters must maintain life jackets, paddles/oars, and leashes in a good and serviceable condition for their intended use. Each commercial NMV outfitter shall inspect this equipment after each trip for damage which materially affects the structural integrity of the equipment. If such damage is found, repairs must be made before it can be used for commercial NMV purposes. If damage is found on a life jacket, the life jacket must be serviced or disposed of in accordance with Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-02-03-.03. (7) All life jackets, paddles, oars, and leashes used in commercial NMV operations shall be subject to inspection by TWRA personnel. (8) Each commercial NMV outfitter is encouraged to equip each NMV leased or rented with a litter bag. Litter bags will be provided to commercial NMV outfitters by the TWRA upon request. (9) Commercial NMV outfitters shall conduct a safety briefing for all passengers and strive to include at least the following topics as appropriate to the body of water in question and the conditions of the day: (a) Description of the waterway and water features including, but not limited to, and any dam generation issues, shoals, shallows, riffles, or known obstructions; (b) How to identify and manage hazards like deadfall/strainers and low head dams; (c) How to manage wind and weather conditions of the day; (d) How to navigate among motorized watercraft; (e) Equipment; (f) Paddling techniques to maintain a proper distance from the other NMVs, swimmers, fishermen, and other users on the water; (g) Swimming in moving water; (h) Relevant safe boating laws; (i) River and lake etiquette; and (j) Trespass concerns; and (k) Contingency plans and phone numbers to use if someone in the group gets into trouble. RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING COMMERCIAL CHAPTER 1660-04-01 NON-MOTORIZED VESSEL OUTFITTERS (10) All safety instruction must be conducted with materials or methods approved by the TWRA.