More deaths here! PFD'S, why won't people wear them?

[jay_merrill]

Re: More deaths here! PFD'S, why won't people wear them?

Whether the "do-gooders" want rules that are more strict or not, doesn't matter. They are not the ones who will drive legislation to pass more laws in regard to boating.

It is the legislators who do the bidding, and more and more, these folks want to be seen as doing something. They want to make laws because that's what they think they are supposed to do - they are, afterall, lawmakers. Add to this reality, a bunch of accidents/incidents in which someone could make a case that they they wouldn't have happened, or people wouldn't have been injred or killed, if there had been boat speed limits, licensing requirements, mandatory PFD use, etc., and you have laws being passed.

Add to this, the current cost of performing search and rescue operations. Skyrocketing fuels costs, along with an increase in other costs, has made looking for and/or saving people a very expensive business. As governmental agencies have to budget more and more money for SAR activities, there will be more and pressure to reduce the need for the ops. Enter, once again, the lawmakers - they will be further incented to pass laws that they think will make things safer.

We can throw stats around all we want, or insist that boating is safer than "X," or make arguments about personal freedoms. None of them will matter if we don't police ourselves.

 

[45Auto]

Re: More deaths here! PFD'S, why won't people wear them?

The "do-gooders" passing the laws I was referring to are the same legislators you're referring to, Jay.

I assume by "policing ourselves" you're referring to the boating community. Unfortunately the vast majority are afraid to get involved when they see someone doing something stupid. It would be interesting to know if anyone saw the man going out with the kids without PFDs and did anything to try to stop him. My guess would be that nobody would say anything to him. Wouldn't be surprised if he ignored them even if they did.

I've had 2 incidences when I was launching my boat and informed people at the ramp that they needed PFDs on their kids. First one was a new boater, thanked me, told me they were'nt aware of the law. He said it was a good idea anyway whether it was a law or not and put the PFDs on the kids. Second one told me they would be OK without them - 3 kids about 10-12 years old. Showed him my badge (St. Tammany sheriff since 2000) and told him I was just about to write him a citation ($178 each at the time) for each kid. He grumbled and bi***ed but had them put the PFDs on. Wouldn't have been much a regular citizen could do but call the cops and hope they did something.

I don't think there's much chance of "policing ourselves". As you said, the additional laws are probably going to get passed regardless. Doesn't mean I have to like it though!!

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: More deaths here! PFD'S, why won't people wear them?

In a perfect situation none of us would have to remind others of the law and the importance of using safety gear. Since the world isn't perfect and never will be, however, having to "badge" someone to get them to protect their kids is just reality. Sad but true.

I had a similar situation some months ago with a jet ski operator. He was doing donuts in the launch area, a few feet off of the end of one of the docks. On the jet ski with him was a toddler of maybe 3 years old and during all of this, his wife was sitting in a lawnchair watching him. It was after dark (against the law in La), he was violating the no wake zone, operating recklessly and endangering a child. I yelled at him (I was mostly concerned about the kid - one slip and they could have crashed into the dock) but he ignored me for the most part. He did move away from the dock but continued doing the donuts. I then left and went to the state park office to request that a Ranger be dispatched. That did happen and I suspect that the guy received a few citations.

I don't like "over-regulation" either. One of my pet peeves is the seatbelt law. It annoys me to no end, that someone can fine me over what I think is a personal choice. But .... I always wear my seat belt and that is because I know that, in the vast majorty of cases, it will save my life in an accident. I also happened to have tested that theory in practice - I was once in a car accident that almost certainly would have either injured me extremely seriously or killed me, if I hadn't had the belt on.

I'm glad that you took the initiative to protect those kids. I like to think that it is the job of every adult to protect every kid, and what you did is a fine example of protecting a kid just because its the right thing to do.

 

[Gazza1]

Re: More deaths here! PFD'S, why won't people wear them?

Jay Merril.
That photo of the boat that you took, where is it now?

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: More deaths here! PFD'S, why won't people wear them?

... It would be interesting to know if anyone saw the man going out with the kids without PFDs and did anything to try to stop him. My guess would be that nobody would say anything to him. ...

The parents were there when the boat was launched, and there were enough PFD's for everyone in the boat, in the car they drove to the river. Which is why I questioned just what were the people thinking, they brought the PFD's with them, and then didn't put them on the kids.

People won't get involved when it is a child in this country, please don't ask me to explain why, or to comment further on this point. When it is a pet all hell breaks loose, but with children, they just look the other way.

We all know how the news is, and we are in the city, if there are no more body bags to be shown, you will not hear any more about it, so I can't provide any more information than I already have. They never even reported, if they had found the grand fathers body or not. They will look for a couple of hours or so and then give up. Sooner or later it will show up at one of the locks.

Half the time when a drowning victim is found here, it is by a boater who did not even know anyone was even missing.

I suspect these people are like most people here, and just buy PFD's because it is a law & they might be checked. Wearing them though is a different story. Their just like the people who have the child safety seats in the trunk, and the kids jumping around in the car.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: More deaths here! PFD'S, why won't people wear them?

Jay Merril.
That photo of the boat that you took, where is it now?

I don't know. I was asked to find it, attempt to identify it by name or registration number, and photograph it.

I managed to find it and take the photos but wasn't able to identify it. I did look over the port side with a submersible flashlight to try to find registration numbers, but didn't see any. Since the boat is large enough to be a documented vessel, that doesn't surprise me. There was a bit of tidal flow in the canal and I was alone, so I decided not to go in the water. That being the case, I was not able to see a name/port on the stern, or attempt to find any kind of paperwork in the cabin.

I was on the phone with USCG about something else yesterday and asked what had been discovered about the boat, but the Lt. that I spoke with didn't know. If you are interested in the boat for salvage value, I could send an email to the USCG contact that I was originally in touch with - he might know the status. If so, PM me and I'll look into it. Also, for all I know (I haven't been back to the location), the boat might still be there in the canal. It is not a frequently used waterway so there might not be a lot of urgency to remove it.