Seat belts, motorcycle helmets... now PFDs?

[Larry T]

Big Brother is Going Boating

Once again, the government is putting their nose into things where they don't belong. No where in the Constitution does it say the Government is responsible for boaters safety! People need to be responsible for themselves and when something goes wrong you don't look around for someone with deep pockets to blame. If I go boating and want to wear a PFD I will, if I don't, I won't. Government intervention never gets reduced, it only grows and grows. If mandatory PFDs becomes law, the gov't will want to fine those people who decide to ignore the law. Then it will become another revenue generator for the Govt. Which means they'll want to increase the rate of conviction and cameras will be needed on our boats. Cameras are already on many street corners for the same purpose - run a stop sign, get a photo ticket. And the number of cameras increase every year. It's time we put a stop to the ever increasing encroachment of the government into our lives. I don't have to tell sailors about the wonderful feeling of freedom we get when we leave the marina and get the sails raised, cut the engine and feel the silence! When we listen to the sounds of the lines creaking under strain, the water slapping the hull and the wind snapping the sails - THAT's why we sail - and we don't need to take a bloated government along with us!

 

[George]

PFD's

PFD's for little ones, sure, makes sense. Otherwise - think of it as EVOLUTION IN ACTION

 

[Gary Goodman]

Regulation May Be Too Restrictive

Such a regulation may be too restrictive. For example, should you wear a life vest in an ocean kayak or inflatable boat? Maybe you think yes, but suppose you are using it for a base to go swimming or diving. On a bigger boat, maybe you are changing clothes or are inside. I think it would be better to stress elementary boating safety courses.I had three friends drown sailing a Flying Dutchman across Lake Michigan. They had no life preservers. The boat capsized in a storm at night. Even if they had life preservers, they probably would not have survived without thermal protection. The boat was found floating upsidedown with a broken mast.Wearing a life vest anytime you could be thrown into the water is common sense. Expect the unexpected.

 

[John KIte]

Death can only occur after birth

It is clear, that the government must move to eliminate birth, since so many deaths occur at some point thereafter. Well, that is extreme. Maybe, the government should outlaw adolesent males because the number of physical accidents (in or out of motor vehicles)they are involved in is substantially more than females of the same age. Or, maybe the government should just outlaw boating altogether. Can't drown if your on land (well maybe they should look into bath tub regualtions for mandatory PFD useage).

 

[Linc]

Darwin should have his way

I have no problem with mandatory PFDs on speed boats going over some reasonable limit like 40 mph. I could also see the need for them on small fishing boats that are on bodies of water they have no right to be on in the first place. HOWEVER, the idea of mandating them on sailing vessels that are moving along at 7knots is stupid. I would also argue that there are very few powerboaters who have the sea experience that sailors do. The bottom line is let Darwin have his way.

 

[Brian Hainsworth]

Leash law for people

MANDATORY PFD's? For children, maybe... As an adult, the choice should be left to the individual. I completely agree with having a PFD on board for each person, but to MAKE each (adult) wear one, ridiculous. This is yet another law that will generate revenues for the government (re.--seat belt tickets), as well as special interest groups (think the manufacturers are "pro-choice" on this? Any item, when used frequently will wear out, necessitating replacement...) All of this aside, what about the "gray" areas? Will wearing a PFD be required when anchored or when swimming from a boat? How about those weekend cruises? Will the proposed law dictate our "bedroom" attire? ..."Geez, hon... That skimpy day-glo orange number your wearing really puts me in the mood..." Jokes aside, I recommend anyone on my boat who's unsure of themselves to wear one (adults, children HAVE TO), if only for the psychological reassurance. Let's face a panic'ed swimmer is in danger whether they're in the water by choice or not, PFD not withstanding.

 

[Gerald J Moore]

complete overkill

Another governmental overkill. I survived lead based paint, aluminum pans, asbestos in my school, biked w/o helmet, knee guards and handled weapons without trigger guards. I am 68 and wish the IRS believed I was dead, but they don't.

 

[David Miller]

Life Jackets don't kill.....

Seat belts save lives, motor cycle helmets would save lives, and life jackets could save lives. More importantly ,what all of the above need in common, more than these safety devices is operator training, testing, and licensing. We have the means in place with volunteer organizations like the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Fewer people would die by drowning if they were better trained in boat handling and seamanship. It is hard to imagine that we require drivers to be licenced to drive on our highways but not skippers on our lakes, rivers, and oceans.

 

[JOHN MCDERMOTT]

USCG, MYOB

5/3/2004WE HAVE TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN OUR LIVES.HELMET LAWS AND SEAT BELT LAWS, (ALTHOUGH I ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET AND ALWAYS WEAR A SEAT BELT),SHOULD BE A MATTER TO BE SETTLED WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. eg. IF YOU FALL OFF YOUR BIKE AND DON'T HAVE ON YOUR HELMET YOU'RE NOT COVERED, SAME FOR SEAT BELTS.HERE IS ANOTHER TIME BIG BROTHER WILL BULLY HIMSELF INTO OUR LIVES.

 

[Kurt]

Save us from ourselves?

Even though my boat is bigger than 21 feet, I think the proposed law is ridiculous. Do we really need to protect ourselves so much. Maybe for young kids (and many states already require them for young kids) and for people who are impaired or can't swim, but for all boats of a certain size???? I have sailed for years, both for pleasure and professionally and I'm the first one to put on a PFD if it is needed, but these laws can be ridiculous. Sure accidents happen, but if you are going out in a boat, you have already accepted the fact that you are taking a risk, and in some cases, a PFD can hinder you and even cause accidents (Another complaint--only people who have lots of spare cash will be able to afford the comfortable, esy to work in PFDs). If you are sailing alone, you accept the risk, if you are with others, you are already required to have throwable PFDs, if you get knocked out, well, that's the risk you decided to take and you have to deal with the consequences. I can see the need for seat belts and motorcycle helmets because seat belts can help keep you in control during unexpected manuevers and helmets (and eye protection) can help in ways like improving hearing (really--you can hear better with a helmet--and nothing like a bug or rock at 60 mph to make you appreciate one--I have a bike and helmets have saved me more than once) The big difference is these things do as much to protect others as they do to protect oneself, but with PFDs, the protection of others is not much of a factor. Please Coast Guard--stop trying to protect us from ourselves. If you want to protect people and cut down on rescue work you have to do, you would be better off to require people to know how to navigate (WITHOUT GPS) before they go offshore. Cheers, and sorry about the long rant!!

 

[Equis]

No PFD needed in the shallow pond of liberal ideas

Ah, liberals, always open minded, enjoying debate, and offended by the hate speech of the right. Nice job

 

[Julianne]

Ignorance causes death on the water

Drownings occur on small boat with inexperienced people. They do not know that all children under the age of 12 should be wearing a life vest and if they have no boating experience they should be wearing a life vest. Every year at Jordan lake in NC, we have several drownings due to over crowded boats and children with out life jackets.I think everyone should go through a safety course before being able to rent, buy or borrow any boat.

 

[Bill]

enough

With kids OK mandatory PFDs. It is time that adults take some personal responsibility. If you can't figure out when conditions warrant the use of a PFD and you fall off and die, then there is a benefit to the gene pool and other boaters will be safer without you. Some, not all, lawyers will prosper because they will sue boat manufacturers for not putting a warning label on boats saying "warning leaving the vessel without a PFD in mid-ocean may be hazardous to your health" so hopefully that bunch will help fight a PFD regulation.Mandatory PFDs work against evolution, safe boating, and could cost the legal profession millions. I'm against it.

 

[Bruce]

PFD's

Mandatory PFD's for all under 18; let the adults live (or otherwise) with their own decisions about safety.

 

[W. Hamilton]

BS to manditory pfd's

I for one am tired of our benevolent government trying to save ourselves from self destruction. After all, it's just a statistic that they are trying to alter. I question the agency's real motive. Money If they can do something that "saves" people then their jobs will be secure and Congress will be more than happy to further funding. I approve of the job USCG is doing and should keep it up. I just don't like more laws to protect ourselves from our dumb actions. I suggest no pfd's for those so inclined and watch the DarwinAwards.com it makes for some interesting reading.

 

[Karl Beers]

Government intervention again?

Please........stay out of our business. If people want to not wear a PFD it's their business. In some cases....they will be doing the earth and the human race a favor by getting out of the gene pool.

 

[rudy]

movement restrictive

Maybe its just me but I find the vests uncomfortable and restrict ones movements aboard the boat (I try to wear one while using the dingy).I would prefer to wear one in fact

 

[Don]

Put a PFD on George Washington

and furthermore - tear down all those pictures of George washington crossing the Delaware without a PFD!! It may lead to bad behavior..... and he's seen standing up in a boat in motion...Just who does he think he is??!!Arrest that man!

 

[Ted]

I say yes to PFD's

The mentalitly for/against them is the same as the seatbelt issue in cars 30+ years ago.Not everyone will wear them, and the enforcement agencies may not be able to keep pace with monitoring, but it can only help.30 years from now, people won't think of boarding a boat without a PFD.

 

[Gary Harkins]

Too many laws to protect me from myself!!

I should have the right to decide for myself how much risk I want to take, especially when the activity is one in which I choose to paritcipate. If the government is in the business of protecting my from myself, then we need less government.