Registering a Kayak in Townsends Inlet

[gusbus]

I just purchased a Kayak and plan on using it either on the ocean or in the back bays around Townsends Inlet. I was told that it needs to be registered or the Coast Guard will harass you and can give you a fine. Anyone know what is required to us a kayak in the back bays near Sea Isle and Avalon?

[barrell]

No registration is needed unless you mount a trolling motor on it. If you have a life jacket and wistle onboard you are legal. A hanheld flashlight onboard makes you legal at night however most of us cary a little more lighting at night.

[GABTRID]

What Barrell said. As long as you have your lifejacket on I believe the coast guard and marine police will pretty much leave you alone. If you just have the life jacket in the Kayak, ( which I think is legal) they are more likely to come over and check you out.

[akozols]

I launched at Corson's one day and there was a State Police boat at the dock. They were checking most of the boats lauched there. I launched the yak and was not even checked. I did have my vest on with a whistle tied to it.

[yaker4life]

I have fished Townsend on a kayak for many summers and you do need beach tags to be on the beach but since you are just launching that is not a problem. I can't imagine why you would need to register there because I never have. What the other guys said about having your PFD on will stop the marine police and Coast Guard from stopping you. It makes it tough wearing it when you are in the hot sun but it is better than getting stopped.

The path leading up to the beach is a pain but the only time I got a ticket was when one day I decided to launch on the Avalon side of the bridge and got a ticket for tresspassing. My advise is to stay on the Sea Isle side of Townsend to launch and watch out for the jet skiers on the weekends if you go up the feeder creeks, especially the one directly across from the Inlet and the one across from 86th street.