Emergency Cut Off Switch.  You are going to need to wear it after April 1, 2021.  This is a new USCG regulation and not optional on Lake Gaston.   Take the time to know.  

A little more of the backstory.  Thanks to NASBLA*, we learned ECOS was incorporated into the National Defense Bill of 2021.  On December 23, 2020, President Trump vetoed this bill.  Congress overrode his veto and it became law.   Buried in this law on page 2,814 is a section entitled "Engine Cutoff Switches, Use Requirements".  This section is part of Title 46 of the US Code.  It requires a mandatory wear requirement of the engine cut-off devices on all recreational crafts equipped and traveling above displacement speed.

If you Google HR 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, you can read the 2,000+ page act.

As previously stated this will be enforced by the USCG.  It's not totally clear what NC Wildlife will do (we've been told yes to enforcement) and Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources said no.  Stay tuned.

*Nasbla.org