Non-swimmers and life jackets!

Ross · Feb 19, 2009

I don't know anybody that can't swim some. I do know that there are people that can't swim to a life ring that is six feet away. But I wonder why a small boat sank. Aren't they required to have some built in flotation?

edited to correct spelling error.

Jenni · Feb 19, 2009

If the weather starts to kick up I always wear my Life Jacket and I can swim. In addidtion when I have guest on the boat I break out additional life jackets for everyone. Also you always wear your vest when you are raceing, or soloing in the boat.

Bad Obsession · Feb 19, 2009

I would love to have jackline harnesses with the built in inflatable lifejacket for bad weather.

If someone can't swim and they are on my boat then they should be wearing a vest but if they are saying that they don't want to then so be it, I have enough faith in myself to save them if need be. If the weather kicks up, sorry but it is time to wear the jacket or stay down below (which I don't suggest for a land lubber because of sea sickness).

John · Feb 19, 2009

Good weather or not, I always wear a pfd and ask any others on the boat to do the same. I am a pretty good swimmer, but I figure you never know what might happen, what situation could suddenly arise, and you're in a crisis before you have time to put it on. Also, I just think it's a good habit to get into.

Anchor Down · Feb 19, 2009

Just a Linguistic Note

jackhartjr posted:

"The Gullah people are an old sect of blacks with their own pig latin type langauge that is a treat to hear."

The language the Gullah speak is known as a creole, which is related to a pidgin: simply put, both are blends of two, or more, languages. "Pig Latin" is a child's game, and not a real language.

Fair Winds,
Jeff

Boompa · Feb 20, 2009

Pros wear lifejackets

I hate life jackets and seat belts, but they work so I wear them. Coasties and professional waterfront workers wear lifejackets and that says a lot. I always do a briefing before a sail and show everyone where safety items, [radios, flares etc.] are. I find out who can not swim because I fear that they could fall over and panic might do them in quickly.

sailingdog · Feb 20, 2009

While I don't require adult non-swimmers to wear a PFD, I do highly recommend they do. Non-adults don't get a choice.

higgs · Feb 20, 2009

I figure adult guests are responsible for themselves when it comes to life jackets. i Tell them where they are and offer them one. Kids, it is up to their parents. I personally don't wear one very often. When standing on the cockpit floor lifeline and pulpit are shoulder height so I think going over from there is highly unlikely.

Cpt. Jon · Feb 20, 2009

we don't normally wear pfd's underway, kids must though. I have taken out non-swimmers that have insisted both on wearing and not wearing them. It wasn't blowing that hard that day. My wife and I want to get some of the inflatable pfd's for us since they are smaller and more comfortable (looking anyway..we haven't tried em yet). They are kinda pricey though and we've been putting off spending on them.

ggrizzard · Feb 20, 2009

I bought two inflatable pfd's on sale after I fell in by taking a misstep at the dock and there was no dock ladder and I couldn't get the swim ladder down on the boat.
The cost for the pfd's was far less than the possible cost of a funeral.

George H260 · Feb 21, 2009

I don't care if you can't swim or not. On my boat everybody wears a PFD period.

higgs · Feb 21, 2009

I think that PFDs on a flat, hot, calm day like we get on the Great Lakes can actually be a hazard. When things get like that and you are out on the water for 8 or 10 hours - or more - your biggest enemy is heat and a PFD only adds to that problem.

I think we have a tendency to try to prepare for every possible catastrophe. If one is so worried about falling in, then why not where that PFD even as you walk the dock. After all, it is possible to fall off the dock, hit your head and drown. It has happened.

Shouldn't we wear a helmet every time we drive our cars - it would undoubtedly save lives. Perhaps a helmet around the house would prevent deaths when we fall down the stairs.

The issue is where an individual wants to draw the line that marks acceptable risk. In my opinion, PFDs are not needed in light to moderate conditions. i will take the risk and after 35 years on the water I am still here.

sailingdog · Feb 22, 2009

Higgs has a good point. While inflatable PFDs are a good deal more comfortable, on really hot days, even they're not great. One clarification on my rule for PFDs has to do with the boat I sail.

The boat is a trimaran and it sails pretty flat, even in SCA conditions. It has 1' high bulwarks along the outer side of the amas, and a lot of handholds on deck due to the mast raising system. It is a fair deal harder to fall off a boat that isn't tipped at a 30˚ angle and that is 18' wide. If I sailed a monohull, I would require my crew and guests to wear PFDs in unsettled conditions. I do require them to wear PFDs at night though.

petersea · Feb 22, 2009

Reading the article I just shake my head---six people in a 14 foot boat in windy conditions with a storm approaching. What were they thinking !! While I feel badly for the loss of life got to think it was preventable. It almost sounds like they became so use the the water commute they forgot basic safety. About the time you forget Mother Nature she will remind you she is still there, just seams like a tragedy. And for what it is worth here in my home state of CT. swimmer or non swimmer anyone 12 or under is required by law to wear a PFD, optional for adults but common sense should be applied to conditions There was a five year old on the boat and no one could swim or was wearing PFD according to the article. Sorry folks I got a hard time with this one. This sound more like neglagince to me. Articles like this will become the poster board for government do gooders making PFD's mandatory !

sailingdog · Feb 22, 2009

Unfortunately, I think this is clearly a case where people made a very bad set of decisions and paid for it with their lives. First, six people in a 14' boat is a bit foolish to begin with, as most 14' boats are going to be heavily overloaded with that many aboard. Second, to go out in those conditions—approaching storm, at night—in an overloaded, open fishing boat in relatively cold weather with cold waters is really stupid.

petersea said:
Reading the article I just shake my head---six people in a 14 foot boat in windy conditions with a storm approaching. What were they thinking !! While I feel badly for the loss of life got to think it was preventable. It almost sounds like they became so use the the water commute they forgot basic safety. About the time you forget Mother Nature she will remind you she is still there, just seams like a tragedy. And for what it is worth here in my home state of CT. Swimmer or non swimmer anyone 12 or under is required by law to wear a PFD, optional for adults but common sense should be applied to conditions There was a five year old on boat and no one could swim or was wearing PFD according to the article. Sorry folks I got a hard time with this one. This sound more like neglagince to me. Articles like this will become the poster board for government do gooders making PFD's mandatory !