Changes to Division 240 in 2024

We mentioned this in a previous article: Division 240 is a regulatory text concerning pleasure craft and vessels measuring up to 24 meters in length. It is the essential regulation that defines the mandatory safety equipment and armaments to be kept on board every vessel. Every pleasure boater must be aware of it and must ensure they comply with it!

As you surely know, beyond just knowing the texts, the motorboat or sailboat owner who wishes to remain in compliance must keep an eye on how they evolve. Therefore, in this article, the team at Bateau-immatriculation.com provides an update on an important legislative change regarding the wearing of the kill cord.

The kill cord: a safety piece of equipment not to be forgotten

This is the small piece of equipment that you often wear on your wrist or ankle, depending on the motorized unit you are navigating—whether it is a small or large outboard-powered unit, or a jet ski—a Personal Watercraft (PWC).

The kill cord functions like a master switch: it is connected directly to your vessel's electrical system and ensures that your engine stops instantly as soon as you move away from the helm station. The purpose of a kill cord is to allow the vessel's captain and crew to remain safe on board and around the boat, particularly in the event of a man overboard.

For these reasons, and rightly so, wearing the kill cord was already an integral part of Division 240. However, following numerous serious accidents that occurred at sea in recent years, it was decided that the regulations regarding the wearing of this emergency device needed to evolve further.

Changes to the regulations on wearing the kill cord

It was at the end of 2023 that the regulations on wearing the kill cord were officially strengthened: the decree of 10/1/2023 of Division 240 Article 240-2.01 was published on 12/13/2023 in the Official Journal, with the objective of updating the decree dating from 11/23/1987.

The new regulation on wearing the kill cord has been applicable since 12/14/2023 for all concerned pleasure boaters.

The new regulation will interest pilots of outboard-powered vessels with tiller steering as well as those equipped with remote steering. Pilots of Personal Watercraft or jet skis are also concerned, depending on the regulations applicable at the date of their vessel's construction.

Wearing the kill cord as soon as the engine is started

This is the main modification of Division 240 regarding the wearing of the kill cord: wearing the equipment is now mandatory for the skipper of an outboard boat or the pilot of a jet ski as soon as the vessel's engine(s) are started.

From the moment the vessel's engine(s) are running, the pilot of the concerned pleasure craft is required to wear the kill cord at all times.

They may wear it on their arm or leg, but they are prohibited from connecting the safety equipment to another element or taking it off. And this is true regardless of the reason or the duration of the event!

No modification of the kill cord

The regulations also provide for a ban on modifying or moving the kill cord. Since it is impossible to remove the kill cord's attachment during a maneuver, when picking up a mooring, or arriving at port, it is not permitted to move or modify the safety equipment, particularly to lengthen it.

For safety reasons, the amended Division 240 requires the boater to remain near the helm station as long as the vessel's engine is running. Regardless of the conditions encountered during navigation, the vessel's pilot will only be able to leave the helm station and move on the deck of their boat under two conditions: if the vessel's engine has been turned off, or if they have ensured that the vessel's propeller cannot be engaged.

A second kill cord to keep on board

Another change to the regulations we were familiar with until now, Division 240 now provides for the obligation to keep a second wired or electronic kill cord on board your motorized vessel to be used as a replacement kill cord. The location of this new piece of onboard equipment must also be marked to allow any crew member to assist the skipper in the event of someone falling overboard.

With the second kill cord, a crew member remaining on board could then restart the engine(s), take the helm, and ensure the rescue of the helmsman who went overboard with the first kill cord.

Other changes within Division 240 for PWCs (jet skis)

The regulation on wearing the kill cord on board outboard-powered pleasure craft or for pilots of Personal Watercraft is not the only one that has undergone changes.

The decree of 10/1/2023 also establishes the obligation for jet ski or PWC pilots to systematically wear neoprene equipment with a minimum thickness of 2 millimeters. This protective element is in addition to the individual buoyancy aid already required, again with the goal of protecting against injuries.

Would you like to know more about the amendment to Division 240, or do you need clarification on the regulations that apply to your specific case? Contact the expert team at Bateau-immatriculation.com! We will be happy to answer your questions.