Seat belts, motorcycle helmets... now PFDs?

[Charles S]

Brightness of this thread

Another case of the government with their typical dysfunctional knee jerk reaction to effect rather than cause... Frankly, even if the fed tries to institute this law, I believe that the constitution will prevail and it will never be enforced. Like the CG has nothing bettter to do.

 

[Capt. Dan]

water cops

Lucky for me where I sail (inland resivoirs), the Fish & wild life agents (our primary water cops) are clueless about approaching sailboats and steer way clear of us. I sail a thistle and don't wear a PFD durring good weather. Seems most of our danger comes from morons in cigarette boats. Perhaps the Thislte Class Association should make torpedo tubes manditory.

 

[Jeff M21319]

Stupid laws for stupid people

Isn't it just wonderful to know that our government cares soooo much about our personal safety that they must continuously look for ways to protect us from our own stupidity? Even with all that is going on in the world, some loving and caring government employees still have time to watch over us and help us make the right decisions, then pass laws to make sure we heed their advice, it just makes me feel like someone really cares. And, let's face it, boating in any form is an EXTREMELY dangerous thing for a person to do, so of course they must concentrate extra effort towards anyone who would participate in such a foolhardy practice. Think about it, you're out floating around in a little plastic contrivance, surrounded by water in which you could DROWN in less than 30 seconds if you were to accidently fall in. Requiring these poor fools to wear a PFD at all times is simply common sense. And, because you can drown in many other ways, why not say that PFDs must be worn by all persons when they are less than 50' from any quantity of water greater than 6" deep? (sitting in the hot tub with a life jacket on is hip, trust me)Why not require that all persons on a boat or in the water wear a helmet? Sunburn is also a very real danger, what with people being near the water and not fully clothed. The CG should start checking everyone to make sure that they are protected by a government approved SPF 50 sunblock at all times, and that it has been applied in the approved fashion and at the required intervals. Gee, when you stop to think about it, these poor fools will never be able to remember all of the rules we have put in place to protect from their own stupidity, we better make sure that a certified life safety specialist is with them at all times to make sure they remember. "Sir, I'm sorry, but I'll have to check the temperature of that coffee before you take a sip. It may be too hot and we wouldn't want you to burn your lips." Orwell was right. And since my personal Life Safety Specialist hasn't shown-up yet, I better just stay in bed and wait for him to get here. (but don't pull the covers over your head, you could suffocate)

 

[RICHH]

Totally ban boating, save lives!

Why not simply ban all boating, then noone will die?Im getting REAL tired of the government protecting me from myself. Just when most states have rescinded helmet laws .... the CG impends their silliness on boaters. What we need is a few thousand MORE laws that only helps the 'feel-gooders'. What ever happened to risk taking, and participating by 'assuming the risk'. ..... or is this just one more vain attempt to supply ammunition to the rapacious trial lawyers.

 

[Tom S]

Charles of Dumbedin, FL . The Constitution

does not protect us from laws such as this being written. These types of laws have been upheld by the supreme courts. Its up to US (the constituents) to stand up and tell our legislators exactly how we feel and in no uncertain terms.If we stay silent, we only have ourselves to blame. Where the heck is Boat US on this issue --- then tend to err on the side of overly safety conscious --- maybe we should tell them we DON'T like this. I applaud the push by Boat US for more safety/boating class's and free pfd's to anyone who wants them, but NOT mandated legislation.

 

[Glenn E. West]

PFD'S

I am against any law that would require an adult to wear a PFD. We have allowed our Federal Goverment to "LAW" us to death already. I have to wear a seat belt in my vehicle---it does not protect anyone else. If I have to wear a PFD in my boat--it wont protect anyone else. How about letting me decide what I need to do to protect MYSELF. If the Federal Goverment makes these things mandatory---then why do I pay for medical insurance. Let the Federal Goverment pay my medical bills. Common sense is something the "Good Lord" gave each of us (abiet to various degrees)and it would seem reasonable and prudient that I should use these tools as provided. My wife and I have been boaters for all of our lives--I am a good swimmer--she can't float. She wears a PFD whenever she is on the boat (our powerboat and our sailboat)---I wear one when I think it is prudient. I don't need and have an express distaste for Uncle Sam telling me when, how, what and how often. I quite smoking years ago--I felt it was bad for my health---Uncle did not make me! I don't play in the traffic--my mother taught me (and common sense) told me this was not a good thing to do. My son wore his PFD until the law said he did'nt have to. He was a minor--and I felt he should do this ---I did'nt need a law to tell me so--remember reasonable and prudient? My son is now in the United States Coast Guard--what do you think he does?Glenn E. West-in the "Wind Dancer" on Lake Travis, TX.

 

[phill]

two much big brother

and do we realy the guvment too takk care of all uss right .

 

[Dave V]

Kids under 12 is the law in Kansas

We belong to a water ski club and we make allkids 12 and under wear a PFD or ski vest whilein the boat at club functions. In Kansas age 12and under are required to wear a PFD or skivest. As far adults, it depends on the conditions and weather. Of course we don't havesame water conditions that most of you have inthe oceans or Great Lakes, but enough to getour attention. Typical common sense seems towork the best. The CG only exist on the reallybig lakes in Kansas, so for us it's a non-issue.

 

[Reid Cameron]

More people drown in Motor vehicles than rec boats

I wear a Pfd when sailing my 16 ft cat when the winnds are high because it tips over. I wear a inflatable PFD when sailing our 433 in storms or at night but not on nice days in the Caribbean. People can always find things to add to take the place of brains and as we've seem helmets on motorcycles just mean they go faster before they crash. Seat belts haven't helped as the Suvs just rollover and the people get head injuries when they undo the belt and fall to the roof. But the goverment knows best?????

 

[David]

Ask Kerry

He's got a plan for everything else. I think his plan is more taxes and more government.David

 

[Mark Sroka]

OVER REGULATION

Small Boats 20 Ft & Underonly. But any law like this will be hard to enforce and like all Government regs would most likely go to far.. How about published guidelines or recommendations..

 

[Tubissee]

slippery slope

Darn government! If we don't stop the government from legislating on our behalf for purely recreational purposes, where will it end?Before you know it the government will telling us where we can go and where we can't. Who knows ? one of these days the government might even prohibit us from sailing to offshore island nations like Bahamas and Cuba because...Maybe it's already too late...

 

[Mike Casucci]

Big Brother

Government regulates us to death because we have "Socialized" the costs of disability and, to some extent, medical care by requiring the government to pay these things. If government agencies are paying, they are going to legislate measures to control the cost, therefore becoming our "Big Brother". PFD's should be left to the discretion of the Captain. My wife and I both wear inflatable PFD's when sailing, as we are not strong swimmers. I have friends who sail with us who are strong swimmers and I do not require them to wear one.

 

[Johnny Hunter22]

To many Dead

I have lost 3 friends becuase they were NOT wearing PFDs. Everyone aboard my vessel has a PFD on when we are in Motion. One can be an Olympic Swimmer, but that will not help if knocked out while going over.An inflateable may be more 'comfy' but does you no good if Boomed and knocked over. Or head injury before or while going over. I do not know the exact stats now, but let us suppose that 50% died because of no PFD, that is a percantage that I find atrocious when all the dead would/could be alive today if they had 'bothered' to Put one on.

 

[Bob Gale]

NO, NO, NO to PFDs

No to mandatory PFDs. Educate the public, then let them make their own choice. I've been boating for over 55 years and enjoy the sun & sea without being encumbered by a bulky lifejacket. I have inflatables but find them uncomfortable and only wear them in heavy sea conditions. Possibly as a concession to those who our determinded to save us from ourselves, a requirement for non swimmers (must produce a Red Cross type swim card to be exempt) and children below a certain age, but otherwise NO, NO, NO, NO.

 

[D E Brown]

Powerboat accidents vs. Sailboat accidents

The type of boat should be considered as well as it's size. We all know (including the USCG and local law enforcement) that sailboats do not constitute the majority of accidents. PFD's on kids is the smart thing to do.

 

[Bob Clark]

More "big brother"

Why can't the government leave us alone? Part of the fun of having a boat is the feeling of freedonm . I do not believe 85 % of fatalaties are caused by lack of a PFD . If the boat explodes and occupants are thrown into the water the cause of the accident is the explosion . If soneone falls overboard ,aside from inattention , the cause is falling overboard. How else do people suffer fatalaties that could be saved by a PFD ? This is the same nonsense that tried to impose a 35 MPH speed limit on recreational boating !

 

[Rob]

Tubissee...it is to late for cuba

Acording to the latest Cruising world artical may 04....The bush administration through its homeland security office has made it illigal for any and all cruising boats to venture into Cuban waters and if the Coast Guard belives you have your vessel may be impounded.

 

[abe]

Do a study.. Helmets Facts and Fictions.....

One arguement used by politicians when creating the helmet law was that "cyclist without helmets was costing the state, the people, and insurance too much money in medical bills". The helmet law passes, more than a decade later we are paying even more in medical bills. Why?Those who would have died are surviving as quadraplegics. What politician has the courage now to repeal the helmet law? Can you imagine, "quadrapelegics are costing too much money, repeal the helmet law". Some else mentioned the luxury tax on boats. Do you really thing the "rich" were going to get screwed. The little guy making the boats are the ones who really got hit hard. My point, before lawmakers pass "make me feel good laws", they should do a study on its effect. PFDs may be important on small boats and children. But if they make it universal on all boats at all times, can it be enforced? Eventually will we start loosing respect for the law and law enforcement when "big brother" government tries to micromanage our lives?  I can think of numerous more important things politicians and law enforcement can do than becoming PFD police. They can't even enforce those drunk sailors/boaters. My 2 no lets say 3 cents

 

[Ed]

Good Idea!, USCG, NAVY TOO!

Finally an idea that will save lives! But why doesn't the CG and Navy have to do it too? And the big boats? What about the drunken skipper of a 49' Maxim who falls overboard?I say all sailors should have to wear PFD's. (Bet this idea would die if the CG had to do it too)