I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

[JZammetti]

I am so mad at myself; I am very conscientious about my 7 year old daughter being in a life jacket that she wears one from the time she gets out of the truck until she is back in the truck. Well, yesterday we were anchored swimming and eating lunch, my daughter was wet and wanted to be dried, so I took off her life and dried her off, she continued to eat her lunch. After eating we moved to another spot to anchor and watch the dolphins. While moving to the next spot about 2 miles away we were approached by the police. The spotted my daughter on the boat not wearing her life jacket. I was so embarrassed and mad at myself for forgetting to put it back on her. I received at $25.00 fine and after court cost will come to $62.80. I told my wife I am going to get a tattoo on my arm that reads ?Is Emily in her Life Jacket??. Have any of you been this stupid?

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

I am so mad at myself; I am very conscientious about my 7 year old daughter being in a life jacket that she wears one from the time she gets out of the truck until she is back in the truck. Well, yesterday we were anchored swimming and eating lunch, my daughter was wet and wanted to be dried, so I took off her life and dried her off, she continued to eat her lunch. After eating we moved to another spot to anchor and watch the dolphins. While moving to the next spot about 2 miles away we were approached by the police. The spotted my daughter on the boat not wearing her life jacket. I was so embarrassed and mad at myself for forgetting to put it back on her. I received at $25.00 fine and after court cost will come to $62.80. I told my wife I am going to get a tattoo on my arm that reads ?Is Emily in her Life Jacket??. Have any of you been this stupid?

No, but brain lapses do happen. I bet you won't do it again after that fine though. Don't think of it as a bad boat owner, but just a learning experience.

On a seperate note any pics of the Dolphins?

 

[JZammetti]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

No, but brain lapses do happen. I bet you won't do it again after that fine though. Don't think of it as a bad boat owner, but just a learning experience.

A lesson I will remember for a longtime

On a seperate note any pics of the Dolphins?

Yes, gonna to see today how they came out, we were drifting about 15 to 50 feet away.

 

[Thad]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

Caught up in the moment. Not at all a reason for scolding. I can't say that I have ever done that, but, that's not to say I won't.

On a side note, something to think about if you haven't already. (This is in no way going to help you remember...but it is a good idea)

My four year old has two jackets. One in the vehicle that she puts on when we get to the ramp. The other is in the boat. This way, when she is ready to get dried off and/or put on dry or warm clothes, she has a dry jacket at the ready. Then that one gets put in the vehicle and on hand for the next outing.

 

[JZammetti]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

On a side note, something to think about if you haven't already. (This is in no way going to help you remember...but it is a good idea)

My four year old has two jackets. One in the vehicle that she puts on when we get to the ramp. The other is in the boat. This way, when she is ready to get dried off and/or put on dry or warm clothes, she has a dry jacket at the ready. Then that one gets put in the vehicle and on hand for the next outing.

Great idea, I just bought her one for 50 - 90 pound range, I'll get her another. THANKS!!!

 

[Thad]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

Great idea, I just bought her one for 50 - 90 pound range, I'll get her another. THANKS!!!

See, I told myself that every now and then I have a good idea

Actually, my wife came up with that one when our oldest daughter was young...a loooong time ago. She is now 15. But would you belive she still keeps two jackets in the boat. Old habits I guess.

 

[convergent]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

Have any of you been this stupid?

Yep, years ago my close friend upgraded to a new boat and was all excited about it. The wives stayed home and made lunch and we took the boat to the ramp for a quick spin to check it out. Of course the water was really nice so I jumped in and threw on the slalom ski for a quick pull. We of course got pulled over and not only did he get a ticket for no spotter in the boat, but he had not loaded ANY of the safety equipment in from the old boat. The officer was kind of nice about the whole thing and only gave him a ticket for the spotter. I think he could have given him a whole bunch of tickets. We'd never gone out before or since without everything in order but were both just idiots that day. This is what happens when the guys go out and leave the wives at home! No one to "remind" us of all the things we are supposed to do!

That was in NY, ironically the rules in NC are different about the spotter thing. The law says you have to have a spotter OR you have to have a mirror OR the skier has to wear a life jacket! I understand the first two ORs, but that last one is kind of dumb... that should be an AND. We have all 3 whenever we are towing anything or anyone.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

I can't relate to that at all, I raised two kids and 4yrs old is a critical age even 7yrs old to have aboard a boat, I admit I did slip up a time or two and let them go without a life jacket but watched them close like a hawk, but could never ever have just forgot, that's where I can't relate.
But then boating for us is a pretty big deal of an outing, I guess if was more an everyday sorta thing I can see it, I'm far from being superdad and done my share of unecceptables too.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

I have to admit i've violated the spotter rule a couple of times before. Sometimes just too tempting!

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

This is what happens when the guys go out and leave the wives at home! No one to "remind" us of all the things we are supposed to do!

Haha, I'm the opposite. With the lady yapping in my ear constantly I'm lucky if I don't forget to put the boat in the water.

 

[JoLin]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

Lapses happen to all of us. I don't think you're a bad owner (or Dad) at all. Kudos for always making sure your daughter is protected. Far too many don't do that!

Look at the bright side- there's a smallish fine, but the LE officer filled in the missing brain parts ( ) for you, and you'll probably never forget it again.

Stay safe and have fun!

 

[pinellas50]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

I did this the first time two weekends ago. Same situation. We were anchored at a sand bar swimming and playing. My 6 year old took her vest off to dry while eating lunch. We pulled out and took off. Just as I got on plane I looked over and realized she didn't put her vest back on.

It wasn't intentional. But it happens to the best of us.......and the worst like me.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

Screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me....

Mistakes happen, the key is to learn how to not make the same mistake twice.

FWIW I hated wearing a life jacket as a kid, but I did it untill the law said I didn't have to.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

Great idea, I just bought her one for 50 - 90 pound range, I'll get her another. THANKS!!!

Not a requirement here for kids (but wish it was). We did the same thing having two. The other upside is by the time they hit teenage years, you'll have a truck load of varying sizes of spares to use when friends come along with their young ones.

 

[rbh]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

It happen's, next time you will remember, fines have a way of jogging you mind.

 

[roscoe]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

Won't that tattoo look nice when you are walking her down the aisle in 20 years.


Court costs? Just pay the $25 now, avoid going to court, and have no court costs to pay.

 

[JZammetti]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

Court costs? Just pay the $25 now, avoid going to court, and have no court costs to pay.

Not here in Delaware, if you agree to the ticket the court cost is an automatic charge.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

I made a mistake once. I bought an eraser.

 

[sasto]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

I don't know about you being a bad boater but it sure looks like you are a good father. Named your boat after her, make her a part of your day, and you are concerned enough to bring the subject up. To me being a good father is better than being a good boater anyday. Keep up he good work.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: I?m a Bad Bad Boat Owner

When I first started boating we forgot to put jackets on all 3 kids. Marina guy said you're looking at $300 in fines really quickly if they dont wear jackets. Second time, my wife was tubing and a pontoon that went by us said youre looking at $500 (thats the fine when out on the water) if she doesnt put on jacket. So, Ive forgotten a couple of times but fortunately wasnt caught. Now that I'm more experienced my first two thoughts when boating are plug and jackets

Dont beat yourself up. Two more hours in the office here and I'm hitting the water this afternoon!