Glossary
Engine cut-off switch
A device that stops a boat's motor if the operator is thrown from the helm. Required on many boats under 26 feet.
An engine cut-off switch, or ECOS, is a safety device that shuts off a boat's engine if the operator is thrown from the helm or falls overboard. It works through a link the operator wears.
Since April 1, 2021, operators of recreational boats less than 26 feet long, with engines that produce 115 pounds or more of static thrust (about 3 horsepower), must use the cut-off link, according to the U.S. Coast Guard (opens in a new tab). The rule applies when the boat is on plane or above displacement speed. It does not apply when the main helm is in an enclosed cabin, and common exceptions include docking or trailering, trolling and operating in no-wake zones.
Good habits:
- clip the link on before you start the engine;
- check that the switch works at the start of each season;
- teach passengers how to restart the boat if the operator goes overboard, a point the Minnesota DNR (opens in a new tab) makes when it says everyone should know how to start, stop and steer.
See what to do if you fall off a boat and the boating safety checklist.
What you can do today: find your boat's cut-off link and keep it with the keys.