By the time you reach for it, it may be too late!

[jimmyb]

News Headline:

Coast Guard rescues all souls aboard 44 ft yacht off coast of Ma. Yacht was on fire and crew and passangers were found standing at the bow of the boat without life jackets on. Many were reported as not being able to swim. Jackets could not be recovered from the burning cabin of the vessle. (reported by local CBS news)

The moral of this story once again is the only life preserver that will save you life IS THE ONE ON YOUR BACK> and then only if your are not seriously wounded before abandoning ship.

I cant decide which is worse, the arogance or stupidity of a non-swimmer not wearing a life jacket aboard an ocean going vessle. Thats like someone allergic to bees tending their honey hives without an epi-pen in their pocket.

Call me a wimp but I wear a jacket aboard my kayak and sailboat everytime I go out. Its a nice Reflex type lll designed for comfort. It has a couple nice velcro pockets that nicely store a whistle on a lanyard and a good searated knife. I accept saftey equipment as a given, then as I become acustomed I feel naked without it.

Helmets, chestprotectors, kneepads, and gloves and MX boots are all cumbersome at first but I wouldnt have ridden without them and soon enough they become unnoticable. Now just wearing a life vest is no big deal, unless of course you actually need it when your rig is burning down to the water and chances are you will not be staying with the boat.

It should always be a choice in this great Country, just like seat belts and helmets but I choose to use it. How many other wimps out there like me.

God Bless, jimmyb

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

It's not whether they were wearing PFDs before the fire broke out...

I doubt if many people wear 'em on a 30'+ boats, or even most 25' boats unless the weather or other circumstances make it advisable.All the news reports only refer to 44' "yacht"...no indication whether it was power or sail...However, the real question is, what owner/captain who's even SEMIcompetent would keep the d'd things below decks in a cabin when people are aboard??? They can't do anyone any good if no one can get to 'em! I kept my PFDs in zippered bags that I stored below out of the weather when the boat was tied up...but that bag was ALWAYS tossed out on deck when I came aboard.

That a fire could spread that fast is more evidence of incompetence and maintenance...inadequate, inoperative or even NO fire extinguishers.

I'd love to know more about this boat and her owner...

 

[jimmyb]

Capt. believes an electrical fire started below decks and ignited the vessels flares. Bad news.
Bottom line you have to take responsibility for your own saftey and whether or not you can swim you need to evaluate the risks, take appropriate action and live with your lack of such in the event of a catastrophe. I raised the issue only to show how easily common complacency can reak havok. It may stir some thought and save a life.

jimmyb

 

[jackhartjr]

I am a whimp! (And mighty proud of it!)

 

[dscribner]

We sail a 25 footer, primarily n the Atlantic. The life jackets are just inside the companionway. Flip the hatch on the bow, and there are 4 more. Our rule is that if you can't swim, you where it. If the water is getting rough (15 knot & up) the vest go on. Anytime that I say so, the vest go on. No arguing, no discussion.

 

[Billbeard]

Every time I read or hear a story like this I’m reminded of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. You can’t legislate commonsense and some people no matter how many times they are told to wear a life jacket, helmet, seatbelt they choose to ignore the obvious and very often pay the ultimate price. And unfortunately they often propagate first and also vote. And while this may sound harsh so is nature.

 

[Mark Hartong15325]

We sail a 25 footer, primarily n the Atlantic. The life jackets are just inside the companionway. Flip the hatch on the bow, and there are 4 more. Our rule is that if you can't swim, you where it. ....If the water is getting rough (15 knot & up) the vest go on. Anytime that I say so, the vest go on. No arguing, no discussion.

I keep some nice type 3's vests and everyone wears one- swimmer or not- whenever they are above deck. If someone goes over the side I'm going to assume, swimmer or not, they were injured. If they were injured they may have trouble keeping their head above water while waiting for recovery.

 

[Quoddy]

Pfd

It seems around here not an insignificant number of people consider a PFD just part of the business of being on the water, especially single handing.

A naivety about the real difficulties of going over, banged up, into 58 degree water, with wind and wave leaves many woefully vulnerable. The “ it looks stupid” or “I can handle anything mother nature throws at me no problem attitude“ is something that should have been left behind years ago, but unfortunately still exists in the narrow world of the less mature.

Setting an intelligent example for the next generations isn’t all that bad an idea, in fact that’s progress. No laws needed, just informed intelligent choice.

Flares not isolated from possible ignition source, not a good idea.

 

[themadscientist]

I can't muster sympathy for grown adults that choose to stack the deck against themselves. I am against mandatory belt/helmet/vest laws for yourself, but beleive the owner of the vehicles should be held responsible for allowing people in his or her charge to make the dumb choice. When that duckboat went down recently my first question was, "why were they not wearing vests?"
PPE is just too easy to use not to if you care about yourself and those that count on you. Real dumb.

 

[jimmyb]

Wasnt sure what kind of response to my post would be forthcoming but I am pleased to hear the flooding of common sense coming in on this one. It is encouraging when others have thought through the consequenses and have taken action to protect themselves and those around them. When it all boils down it is just not a big deal comfort wise in fact I myself am more relaxed knowing I am prepaired for an accident. The self made rules stated here regarding manditory use for childern or adults, manditory use during weather and the personal choice to wear under all conditions are all great. The best idea yet was to pass safe skills onto the next generation. It will be a no-brainer for them. Thanks for participating.

jimmyb

 

[Freedom77]

Some years ago a friend of mine went single handing on Lake Mead, Nevada. Later his boat was found, he was not aboard and they have never found him. Abducted by aliens. I don't think so. If I think someone on my boat needs to wear a PFD then they wear it. If the weather turns ugly as it does here on occasion then ALL get a Mae West. Common sense is not always common. Fair winds, Old Salt....

 

[PotomacDaysailer]

In the news a few years ago in Chicago, my memory of the details is sort of sketchy, but as I recall a boat was found drifting, a father and child (or maybe two children) were missing - I think it was assumed that a child went overboard and the dad jumped in after. It seems like I remember relatives and friends on the news saying that they couldn't believe it, he was an experienced sailor.

 

[Mario G]

I might be concidered a littlle reckless but I sit on my life vest when I'm sailing, and theres always more vest then people on our boat. One fire extinguisher hangs just inside the hatchway another is in the V-birth( you can never have too many when you live real close to were there made.)

We figure its just as importain to know where everyone is all the time while on the boat.