DELAY OF SOPHIA’S LAW
Carbon Monoxide Law for Boaters
New Effective Date – MAY 1, 2018

Facts:

• Section 86B.532 was amended by recently enacted law with the effective date of May 1, 2018
• Effective retroactively to April 30, 2017

Educational Opportunities:

• MN Registered motorboat owners  19’ and greater now have the three CO warning stickers with stickers also available at all Deputy Registrars and many marinas, marine dealers and marine repair shops.
  • We ask that owners still place the warning stickers on motorboats with any enclosed spaces as soon as possible.
• We recommend that owners of open motorboats, including pontoons, place the helm and stern warning stickers for added safety
  • Carbon monoxide poisonings of people being towed too close to the boat or swimming near the stern have occurred.

• Battery powered Marine CO detectors are now available (they received testing lab approval on 5/26/2017).
  • Additional manufacturers are developing marine grade CO detectors (one by November), increasing the supply for boat owners and creating pricing competition.
  • Boaters that have existing hard-wired carbon monoxide detectors over five years old should replace them even if the light is still on and they make sound when tested.  All but the newest sensors only last five years.  These can be easily replaced with new hard wired marine carbon monoxide detectors.
  • The word “marine” must be shown on the detector or in the product literature to meet requirements.  That word should ensure it is an approved detector suitable to the harsh marine environment (moisture, high temperatures, vibration).

We have updated the effective date on our Sophia’s Law web page and will make additional tweaks by Monday.  The DNR is determining the timing and method to communicate the many changes created in the 2017 Legislative Session.

See http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/sophias-law.html for more info.  Including information on low-level detectors.

Call/Email Lisa Dugan or Stan Linnell for further details.

Regards,

Stan Linnell

Boating and Water Safety Manager  | Division of Parks and Trails
State Boating Law Administrator
Public Water Access, Fishing Pier and Water Trails Programs

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 651-259-5626
Email: stan.linnell@state.mn.us
mndnr.gov