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St Croix River tragedy


gimruis

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1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

 Maybe I am wrong, but I don't think any state actually requires you to wear a PFD. 

 

Can only speak for Florida.....passengers 6 years and under are required to wear a coast guard approved PFD in crafts 26ft and under while underway. 

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Just now, Zcoker said:

 

Can only speak for Florida.....passengers 6 years and under are required to wear a coast guard approved PFD in a crafts 26ft and under while underway. 

 

10 years and under here in MN.

 

I'm not aware of any universal state law that requires a PFD for everyone while underway in a watercraft.  Ours only says it has to be "accessible," not worn for adults.

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2 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

10 years and under here in MN.

 

I'm not aware of any universal state law that requires a PFD for everyone while underway in a watercraft.  Ours only says it has to be "accessible," not worn for adults.

 

I'm not aware of any universal laws, either. Goes to show it's an adult thing. Up to adults to pick and choose the armor for their battles. Too bad others might suffer the wrath, passengers, family and so forth. 

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Even if you have a killswitch, lifejacket, aren't drunk etc. The number one thing you can do to stay safe is to pay attention and be conservative. Go slow, don't go out in crazy weather, pay attention at all times (don't be on your phone, eating etc.), and be mindful of hazards. Boring, but prevention is the best medicine. 

 

I think a lot of mishaps come from simple inattention, which is easy to do. Anyone can get distracted for 5 seconds, which is all it takes. 

 

The more you do something and nothing bad happens, the more you let your guard down. 

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I have worked hundreds  of accidents on the water, I have never ever recovered a body in a life jacket. I know of two who died of hypothermia while in the  water wearing vests.

The number one cause of accidents is lack of knowledge/experience especially in Florida where any one with credit can buy the largest and most overpowered on the lot.  

The 2021 USCG stats I  last had  a copy of I believe put  alcohol at the fourth leading cause.  The majority of accidents we deal with are rental boats and share boats companies. 

I have worked countless strikes into markers, other boats and docks due to texting or being preoccupied with other things going on in the boat, the latest two serious ones were due to captains running too fast while following a track on the plotter in the back country, and not paying attention to whats coming around a blind corner in the mangroves.

Wearing a kill switch became a law in July of 22 in waters that have USCG jurisdiction on vessels made after I believe 2016. Its still in the education mode for the most part, meaning we write a warning for it.

I am surprised every time I see someone wearing one.  One of the first accidents I ever responded to was three members of a family of four were killed when a bolt broke on the steering control arm, boat did circles and hit one person each pass. I have worn one every time I turn on the ignition since then

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I have worked hundreds  of accidents on the water, I have never ever recovered a body in a life jacket.

 

I won't fish with anyone who won't wear a life jacket. 

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