Coast Guard Considers Mandating Adult Life Jacket Wear

[TeamAllen]

Luckily it appears to be for boats under 18 feet long, but what if they keep going?

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/2011/June/reports.asp

[NICKYPOO]

The stupification of America rears its ugly head once again."People can't be left to look after themselves if we are going to make our numbers look better."

[Timmy!]

As much as I hate people pushing new laws/requirements on us, it kind of needs to be done. There are always a few deaths in our area from smaller boats turning over or capsizing and the people weren't wearing life jackets. It does open the door for them to enforce it on other size boats though which I wouldn't like at all and don't think is necessary.

[4bw]

Article says 83 million participated in boating, 736 died, changing the law will save 71
So before the law boating has a death rate of .00089%
after the law boating has death rate of .000008%

These well intentioned laws usually do work out as intended. Just less freedom for us all.

[Timmy!]

LOL! Well when you put it in that perspective...

[Dan and Christy]

Silver lining - this would help keep me from burning my shoulders and back!

[Fiveflat]

We need 5-point harnesses and helmets in vehicles too.

That's the number one killer... the evil CARS!

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

At Pine Flat, that's not the rule. Here's the jist of it at PF:
If you are on ANY boat and under way, you must be wearing a PFD.
If you are swimming and are further than 100' from shore, PFD.
If you are in a canoe, kayak, small sail boat... etc... PFD.

Luckily it appears to be for boats under 18 feet long, but what if they keep going?

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/2011/June/reports.asp

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Oh... and let me add... IT's A BUNCH OF CRAP!!!
Damned big brother and all.

[Tanner]

It's all coming slowly but surely....

In Oklahoma we just lowered the BUI limit from .1 to .08 which is on par w/ the DUI limits. This I have absolutely 0 problem with.... it's what they snuck in with the law that's totally F'd up!

You can now receive a BUI even if anchored. So if your in a house boat, or a boat w/ a cabin and planning on staying the night you can receive a BUI. If your anchored up, and playing hanky panky w/ the misses down below, and your both liquored up.... yep BUI. In addition, your passengers can now receive one as well. The passenger stipulation was wrote to keep people from saying, well, I'm not driving, he is....then that guy saying no, he is. Etc. etc. But it's so open ended that if you get a prick lake patrol (and we all know that guy).... then even your passengers are screwed. It's just the start. The same person that authored this is now trying to introduce legislation to set a speed limit at 35 on bodies of water. WTF??? 35??? I know they are trying to slow down the 100+ mph boats, but those guys are actually some of the safest guys drivers I know. Just bend over boys.... cause it's all coming...and they aren't using any lube!!!!!

[embo]

As much as I hate people pushing new laws/requirements on us, it kind of needs to be done.

Are you seriouly saying this?

[Timmy!]

Are you seriouly saying this?

I was thinking the death rate was a LOT higher...then I read the article so I would like to retract my statement. Personally, I wouldn't ride in one of those small fishing boats without a jacket.

[embo]

I understand. That is a problem...having all the "real" numbers to evaluate the situation. I have that problem myself so I completely understand.

I am just completely and over-done with GOVERNMENT rules and regs. I live in a state where all they do is hug trees and save owls. I can't stand it. I do believe in being personally and socially resposible but enough is enough. If people would just take care of their own crap and keep out of others crap it would be way better.

I guess I might be a little pre-loaded when I hear people thinking more government regs are the answer. I'm sick of taking care of others stupidity through regs and the inevitable taxes to keep those regs enforced.

[mls6722]

I say outlaw boats - that will take care of the problem.

[boatwakes]

Of all life that's ever existed on earth, 99% has become extinct and there's an estimated 5 million different species living right now...as much as it sucks to say, if you die in a boating accident because you weren't wearing your life jacket you deserve it. But for the sake of those who needn't be in the gene pool any longer, please don't pass this law.