Safety Issue?

[kloudie1]

Here is what the Louisiana law is.. Seems to exclude anything over 26 feet or any boat with lifelines and stancheons:
RIDING ON DECKS AND GUNWALES:
No person operating a motor boat of twenty-six or less feet in length shall allow any person to ride or sit on either the starboard or part gunwales thereof or on the decking over the bow of the vessel while underway unless such motorboat is provided with adequate guards or railing to prevent passengers from being lost overboard.
This activity makes it easy to fall from a boat and leads to serious injuries and death in many cases.

 

[Joe]

Working on the bow handling sails is very different than relaxing on the bow. This is the type of question that makes me think common sense isn't very common.

How so? How is it different? How does one differentiate between working or relaxing... and where in the ruling does it say relaxing vs working? you'r either there or you're not. Common sense really isn't your area of expertise if you can't see the point of the question in the first place.

 

[Don12364]

Whilst it makes obvious sense NOT to ride on the bow with legs dangling ,I wonder whether this is US law or was the Coastguard merely acting in an advisory capacity?
I understand the US prides itself on not being a police state or even a nanny state; then, if so how, did such a law come into being - and where were the US sailing bodies who should see it as their task to protect the rights of the citizens?
Particularly in a country with no national health service where the cost burden of medical treatment would not fall upon the taxpayers.
More people die from walking on the pavement than falling off a bow - so is a law needed here too? And another for not climbing trees or mountains.
FWIW - Ireland now has a law which stipulates that anyone on a pleasure craft of less than 7m (23') SHALL wear a PFD and if under 16 years old, on any size of boat – and they prosecute!

 

[Sailm8]

Our club just had the water police from our area give a talk. He basically was a very common sense type of guy. He stated his job was safety, education and enforcement in that order. He said he seldom stops sailboats since 99% of them have all required equipment up to date. He understands racing and knows crewmen may sit on the rail. Not a problem. We are very fortunate to have this officer in our area.

He stops boats with children bow riding every time. He has personally pulled several out of the water that were tossed off through inattention or wakes.

 

[thinwater]

I sail in the Annapolis area, Chesapeake Bay. This is a VERY active sailing and racing area.

* They will stop a power boat with kids hanging feet off the bow in a heart beat. Don't expect a warning, expect a fine. These are boats without railings.
* They will NEVER bother rail meat.
* They will never bother anyone in a seat or moving about the foredeck.

Kids on the front of a sailboat seem to be a gray area they are still working through. I don't think they are trying to be controling, I think they are just trying to keep folks safe. There are real idiots out there and they are trying to protect their offspring.

 

[tommays]

If you look at the facts which come from insurance claims the bow of a powerboat is a dangerous place even when your sitting in a proper seat

Up this way one might think making lifejackets for 12 and under mandatory big brother BUT if you have been around a while you can sure see the difference

 

[JohnS]

Ya know, I don't have kids of my own, but if I ever see my nieces or nephews doing some of the dumb stuff with boats that I did as a kid.... I'll whoop 'em as if they were mine. I agree with mandatory life jackets for =< 12, and no bow riding on boats with a running engine. On a sailboat, I would want to take the traffic and weather into consideration. It's a shame lawmakers couldn't come up with a way to do the same.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Sounds like you guys back east have waaaay too many police on the water.

In over 25 years sailing here I've been stopped only 3 or 4 times, boarded only once, and that was for them to train some newbies (who knew less about the rules than I did!).

 

[JVB]

Several years ago the local water police on Lake Murray issued tickets for reckless operation when two sailboats collided with some minor damage during a race. Fortunately the judge said occasional collisions can be expected during racing and are not indications of reckless operation. His ruling put an end to that foolishness. I would expect the same result if a citation was issued for being on the foredeck whether just sitting there or working.

 

[Tim R.]

Actually riding ON the bow of a boat is illegal in some staes. It has nothing to do with dangling your feet over. A boat without an open bow like the one pictured is just as dangerous if not more. At least someone sitting with their legs over may have their legs through the rails. What do you think might happen here if this boat stops or turns suddenly at high speed?

 

[Stu Jackson]

No wonder the skipper missed the hole in the rock!

 

[Tim R.]

No wonder the skipper missed the hole in the rock!

Rock? What rock?

 

[jfmid]

What do you think might happen here if this boat stops or turns suddenly at high speed?

A lot of guys will get whiplash from turning their heads too quickly???? Just kiddin folks