Another lack of PFD tragedy.

[marlboro180]

Quoted from our local news, WTMJ4.

Lake Michigan Search Ends
By Lauren Leamanczyk

Oostburg--The search for a 9 year old girl missing in Lake Michigan has been suspended.

Sofia Khan went missing Wednesday afternoon after the kayak she was paddling got pushed out into the lake by a strong west wind.

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/96098169.htm

Why, oh why would anyone let their young one out in a kayak on a blustery day without a lifejacket. Come to think of it, any day, even when it is calm out there. Especially on a big ol lake like Lake Michigan??

I have canoed, kayaked, sailed and powerboated the shores here on Lake Michigan for all my life, and have a good, healthy respect for the water here. She can turn on you quickly and the little girls parents clearly did not know that.

I feel for them in what seems to now be surely a recovery effort.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

That is sad.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

We've had too many drownings here in Wisconsin this year.

Too sad.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

I thought it was law that anyone 13 and under must wear a PFD when on the water. Or is that just select states?

I wonder if the parents will be charged with child abuse or neglect or the like?

Too bad.

My kids wear PFD when playing in the big waves of the ocean, on the boat, basically anytime they are in or on the water.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

From what I have read. Anyone 12 and under in the state of WI must where a life jacket.

That's only for Personal Water craft and Boats.

Are kayaks considered PWC or Boats?

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

From what I have read. Anyone 12 and under in the state of WI must where a life jacket.

That's only for Personal Water craft and Boats.

Are kayaks considered PWC or Boats?

I think state laws vary from 10-12 years old. Even if she had been legal for not wearing one, I don't think there's a state where it isn't the law to have one onboard, kayaks and canoes included. I think that fine is $50 here in Texas. I think every state requires a pfd worn while on a PWC.

The wife got to the lake the other day with her kayak, but forgot her pfd.
She had to abort the trip after a discussion with the lake authorities.

But yeah...this story is tragic on many levels.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

Good question Buzz. I have always read it as being under the age of 12, have to wear it on pwc or boat.Have 1 available for anyone else on board. Gotta get an answer for that , as I paddle just about every other day, with my 7 year old.

She always has a PFD on, and I require it of my younger guests ( 16 and under) when they take the canoes/ kayaks out anyway, even though we are not on the Lake Michigan shore, but a nearby river.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

Cut and pasted from your state law:
http://www.boater101.com/Course/documents/WI/WIstatelaws.pdf

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
The USCG and Wisconsin regulations require that all vessels under 16 feet long must have
onboard one Type I, II, III, or V PFD for each person. Canoes and kayaks must also carry a
wearable PFD for each person on board.
Vessels 16 feet or longer must be equipped with one Type I, II, III, or V PFD for each person
on board, plus at least one Type IV ?throwable? for the boat.

Each PFD must be:
? USCG-approved.
? In good condition: no tears, rips, broken straps or snaps.
? Of a suitable size for the intended wearer.
? Readily accessible: not stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments or
under other equipment.
NOTE: Type V PFDs do not meet the PFD carriage requirements unless they are worn.
PFDs should be selected based on planned activities and the water conditions to be
encountered. Always look for the USCG-approval number on any PFD to be purchased.
Mandatory PFD Usage
Under federal law, all children under the age of 13 must wear a USCG-approved PFD
while on a recreational vessel that is underway, unless they are in an enclosed cabin or
below deck.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

I can't imagine people not wearing a PFD while kayaking regardless of age. You can end up in the water very quickly.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

I can't imagine people not wearing a PFD while kayaking regardless of age. You can end up in the water very quickly.

We wear them at all times in the kayaks. We also do "roll-over drills" to make sure we can get back on the kayak.

Even with a PFD, you need to be alert in the little paddle boats.
From a couple weeks ago...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2661040#post2661040

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

Even with PFD laws, people will still do stupid things like this. I see this kind of behavior all the time from both children and adults.
I'm very sad for the kid, but I consider it a 'thinning of the herd'.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

Tragic. Hope people learn from this.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

I wear my PFD at all times that my boat is underway. I also require the same of everyone in my boat - no exceptions. Others are entitled not to comply with my rule, but are similarly entitled to sit on the dock all day, while the rest of us have a good time in the boat.

I also have a cut-out switch/lanyard, installed in my dash. My motor is old enough not to have one as original equipment, so I installed an aftermarket switch. I use a PFD that has a D-Ring sewn into it, specifically for tethering to the cut-out and I always "clip in."

One of the best parts of these two things, combined with the bright red "throw cushion" that hangs off the back of the seat at the helm position, is the Coasties and Wildlife & Fisheries guys, never want to inspect me. Heck, my CG Aux safety inspection sticker is even out of date and they still don't bother me.



???

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

Even with PFD laws, people will still do stupid things like this. I see this kind of behavior all the time from both children and adults.
I'm very sad for the kid, but I consider it a 'thinning of the herd'.

Sad or not, that's a cold statement.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

No, it isn't!
People must take responsibility for themselves.
EVEN A CHILD. At 9, she was old enought to think.
If this kids parents knew she was going out on the water that day, they should be held criminally liable for her death.
Remember this: it's NOT the governments responsibility to keep us safe. They only enact laws in an attempt to make stupid people do sensible things. As you can see in this case, it often doesn't work.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

No, it isn't!
People must take responsibility for themselves.
EVEN A CHILD. At 9, she was old enought to think.
If this kids parents knew she was going out on the water that day, they should be held criminally liable for her death.
Remember this: it's NOT the governments responsibility to keep us safe. They only enact laws in an attempt to make stupid people do sensible things. As you can see in this case, it often doesn't work.

Maybe some day you'll grow up, and maybe soften up.

 

[apache61]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

Maybe some day you'll grow up, and maybe soften up.

I second that, at 9 if a child can swim I don't think they can see or understand the danger. I also bet this child never thought she would be pushed out in open water. (LIGHTEN-UP)

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

No, it isn't!
People must take responsibility for themselves.
EVEN A CHILD. At 9, she was old enought to think.
If this kids parents knew she was going out on the water that day, they should be held criminally liable for her death.
Remember this: it's NOT the governments responsibility to keep us safe. They only enact laws in an attempt to make stupid people do sensible things. As you can see in this case, it often doesn't work.

I lean almost Libertarian when it comes to government intrusions.
I still find it repulsive to hear "thinning the herd" in talking about the tragic death of a 9 year-old.

 

[beezee28]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear a PFD, when dealing with water deeper than you, is my advise. I remember one time while swimming in chest deep water and suffer a leg cramp. It is no fun at all while you cannot move and cannot do anything but let the pain go away. But it is tha law that you must wear PFD in a boat, canoe, kayak, etc...

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: Another lack of PFD tragedy.

My entire family wears life vests when on the water, even my older kids 16 and 17. In a million years I would never consider having my 5 year old daughter on the water or even on the boat ramp without one, this will include when she is 9. This is tragic event, my question is WTH where the adults thinking?