More accidents on the water

[J Francho]

When it comes to the SUP people, I think I kind of agree with allowing the person to decide whether to wear one or not.  We don't require surfers to wear one. 

[Choporoz]

I don't have much of a problem with state laws that dictate flotation be on board (certain) watercraft.  Sorta like fire extinguisher requirements or other safety gear.  But, I am all for relaxation of any laws requiring people to wear pfd's.  Especially on SUP's.  I have never been in my kayak without wearing my pfd, but I don't see any problem with folks that make a sober choice not to wear them in flat water situations without power traffic.  I spend too much time in rushing or rough water or around jet skis and big boats.  I think it's entirely possible that if and when I end up in the water it could be accompanied by head trauma that might knock me out.  But I fish on plenty of non-gas-powered motor lakes that I'd like to think I could make a reasonable choice to not wear it. 

    In WI, you don't have to wear a motorcycle helmet; why on earth would the same legislative body require a SUP'er to wear a pfd?

[J Francho]

14 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

In WI, you don't have to wear a motorcycle helmet; why on earth would the same legislative body require a SUP'er to wear a pfd?

 

Interesting question.

[Further North]

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

When it comes to the SUP people, I think I kind of agree with allowing the person to decide whether to wear one or not.  We don't require surfers to wear one. 

I agree with that...but to make the decision based on how "cool" you look...evolution in action.

 

I'm not a fan of any of the "for your own good" laws.  Seat belts, helmets, PFDs, etc...though I feel we should have them in place for kids who can't know better.

 

But I have a problem with people who don't use safety equipment and expect the rest of us to cover the costs when they screw up.

 

I'm all about personal responsibility.  Your choice, your problem...problem is...we're not set up that way...

[pondbassin101]

30 minutes ago, Further North said:

I'm all about personal responsibility.  Your choice, your problem...problem is...we're not set up that way...

 

X2

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, Further North said:

I agree with that...but to make the decision based on how "cool" you look...evolution in action.

 

I never said anything about that aspect - but it was stupidly worded.  I will say, I've NEVER worn a PFD when using SUP.  I'll assume the risk, though I don't think there was very much risk at all.  The places where you use them, there are no wakes, no power boats, very little current.  I mean, I don't wear a PFD when I go swimming.  So why, if I'm standing on a floaty board?

 

Now, if I were to venture out into mixed boating company, and bigger water?  Yeah, I'll put one on.  If it's below the temp threshold, I'd say wear one, too.  I don't think too many go out in these in cold, though.

[Further North]

23 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I never said anything about that aspect - but it was stupidly worded.

I wasn't trying to imply you were.  If it read that way, I wrote it poorly.

 

Sorry about that.

 

 

 

There's lots of acceptable reasons to not wear a PFD.  I was just commenting that someone thinking they didn't look "cool" would be about the worst reason.

[J Francho]

No sweat, and I meant the article was stupid....lol.

[TOXIC]

Touchy subject for me for a number of reasons.  First, I bought my current boat (Z21 Ranger) from the brother of a gentleman who drowned while kayaking in a calm bay on the Potomac River.  No PFD.  He inherited the boat from his deceased brother's estate.  Second, being a Guide and spending a lot of hours on the water, there are some very common problems that contribute to on the water accidents.  Inexperienced boaters/jetskis/paddleboards/yaks/etc..  Whether motorized or not, the USCG Rules of the road apply to all and should be read by anyone enjoying the water.  I could site numerous incidents where if I had not been fully alert and paying 100% attention, there could have been an incident.  I see children with no PFD's, Operators with no clue on boating regs regarding passing and safe operation.  Go to any popular body of water on a warm summer weekend and it's a free for all.  All in the name of fun and relaxation.  

 

And finally...alcohol.  Let me state upfront that I am not anti alcohol.  I can put them away just a good as I did in college but I never, never, never imbibe on the water.  Put me on-shore and it's game on (as long as I'm not driving).  Obviously there is -0- alcohol allowed while guiding and I guess I've just seen the results of sun and booze on too many people.  I am amazed that for a majority of people that it's part of their normal boating routine to drink.  I get it, boating is supposed to be fun but stop and think about it, you are going out where there, for the most part, is no speed limit in a watercraft with no brakes and where operators are required to have minimal training (if any at all). Add booze to deaden reaction time, cloud judgement and you have a recipe for disaster.   If accidents show an upward spike in the bodies of water that I frequent, I would assume there will be increased enforcement and that, to me, is a good thing.  Until then it's up to me to be an operator of safe equipment, educated on the operation of that equipment and USCG regulations and in full control of my faculties while on the water.  

[A-Jay]

42 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Touchy subject for me for a number of reasons.  First, I bought my current boat (Z21 Ranger) from the brother of a gentleman who drowned while kayaking in a calm bay on the Potomac River.  No PFD.  He inherited the boat from his deceased brother's estate.  Second, being a Guide and spending a lot of hours on the water, there are some very common problems that contribute to on the water accidents.  Inexperienced boaters/jetskis/paddleboards/yaks/etc..  Whether motorized or not, the USCG Rules of the road apply to all and should be read by anyone enjoying the water.  I could site numerous incidents where if I had not been fully alert and paying 100% attention, there could have been an incident.  I see children with no PFD's, Operators with no clue on boating regs regarding passing and safe operation.  Go to any popular body of water on a warm summer weekend and it's a free for all.  All in the name of fun and relaxation.  

 

And finally...alcohol.  Let me state upfront that I am not anti alcohol.  I can put them away just a good as I did in college but I never, never, never imbibe on the water.  Put me on-shore and it's game on (as long as I'm not driving).  Obviously there is -0- alcohol allowed while guiding and I guess I've just seen the results of sun and booze on too many people.  I am amazed that for a majority of people that it's part of their normal boating routine to drink.  I get it, boating is supposed to be fun but stop and think about it, you are going out where there, for the most part, is no speed limit in a watercraft with no brakes and where operators are required to have minimal training (if any at all). Add booze to deaden reaction time, cloud judgement and you have a recipe for disaster.   If accidents show an upward spike in the bodies of water that I frequent, I would assume there will be increased enforcement and that, to me, is a good thing.  Until then it's up to me to be an operator of safe equipment, educated on the operation of that equipment and USCG regulations and in full control of my faculties while on the water.  

 

Well Said @TOXIC

I'll only add that as a man who was charged with enforcing the rules mentioned above, as well as searching for, recovering and sadly, using body bags on,  some of the people mentioned above, I'm here to tell you that a fun day on the water can turn in to something very different, very fast.      Boats do not have seat belts and when the boat suddenly stops, the occupants do not - impact or ejection (or both) is immanent  and often fairly debilitating.   Just wear the Life Jacket & kill switch - don't become another statistic / obituary.

A-Jay

[12poundbass]

5 water related deaths in Michigan this past weekend. A couple swimmers, a yaker, and some boaters. One up in A-Jay's neck of the woods.

  I fished my entire life. As a kid mainly Saginaw bay and Bay de Nocs (big water that can turn on you in an instant). I always fished with my step dad, never once did we wear our pfd's even on 4+ mile runs. 

  It wasn't until I was on here and watched the video of the college anglers making a run and the steering cable breaking and they're ejected, that I thought "boy were we dumb". 

   Every Sunday my son and I go fishing in the morning. This past Sunday he wasn't paying attention to the rope and I ran it over and it broke. There went the boat! I used to be a great swimmer when I was a kid. I'm older, fatter, and out of shape. I made it to the boat ( approx. 30 yrd swim ) but if I had to swim or just stay afloat for a while I'd be on the other side of the grass. 

  When I get my boat and it's under power guess who's wearing their pfd? EVERYBODY in my boat. 

[Spankey]

I got clipped last year sort of broad side while bass fishing. Not under power minding my own business by some **** ran into me. Couldn't even react. Guy never had his boat planed. Gunnel took some hard damage. Didn't let it ruin my fishing season. Was still able to use it. Hard to get someone to make repair. Found a guy who hooked me up. Did the work over the winter. Looks great.  Granted I have an aluminum bass boat. But it's nice and cherry for as long as I've had it. It gets use. I'm lucky the accident happened  when It did. The week before I had my two adult daughters out fishing with me for Father's Day. Someone most likely would have gotten hurt. Don't want to think about the possibility of getting killed. Haven't seen that **** around since. I won't get into my plan for him. But things happen. And a lot of guys have no business on the water. Couldn't say more accidents are happening but do know what one is about. Had one of my best bass seasons with that damaged gunnel. I think those smallies felt bad for me. They knew I'd put them back. 

[pondbassin101]

3 hours ago, Spankey said:

I got clipped last year sort of broad side while bass fishing. Not under power minding my own business by some **** ran into me. Couldn't even react. Guy never had his boat planed. Gunnel took some hard damage. Didn't let it ruin my fishing season. Was still able to use it. Hard to get someone to make repair. Found a guy who hooked me up. Did the work over the winter. Looks great.  Granted I have an aluminum bass boat. But it's nice and cherry for as long as I've had it. It gets use. I'm lucky the accident happened  when It did. The week before I had my two adult daughters out fishing with me for Father's Day. Someone most likely would have gotten hurt. Don't want to think about the possibility of getting killed. Haven't seen that **** around since. I won't get into my plan for him. But things happen. And a lot of guys have no business on the water. Couldn't say more accidents are happening but do know what one is about. Had one of my best bass seasons with that damaged gunnel. I think those smallies felt bad for me. They knew I'd put them back. 

 

What type of watercraft was he operating?

[BassnChris]

Sorry.....but I say wear or don't wear what you want.

Helmet, seat belt or PFD.

But if you don't ......don't whine about the outcome.

 

My wife, son and I wear one 100% of the time on the water.

 

Guess the population needs to be culled somehow......self culling works for me.

[Further North]

2 hours ago, BassnChris said:

Guess the population needs to be culled somehow......self culling works for me.

Yup.  Evolution in action.

[Spankey]

On 6/13/2017 at 9:00 PM, pondbassin101 said:

 

What type of watercraft was he operating?

Sorry for the delay but he had like a 16 ft. Sea Nymph. If you can't plane your boat to see over the bow, stay home. In Pennsylvavia I guess they let you on the waterways with any *. But I guess the dude is just enjoy his time on the water also. Boat Commission sited him. They came to my house to check out damages. Went to him also. Just a hastle to get fixed. My insurance kicked in. I'm not having my stuff * by some lame *. But in all seriousness some one really could have gotten hurt or killed. But the ol Tracker is looking good now. 

[pondbassin101]

4 hours ago, Spankey said:

If you can't plane your boat to see over the bow, stay home

 

I'd say the guy is an idiot for trying to pass you that close to start with

[Spankey]

1 hour ago, pondbassin101 said:

 

I'd say the guy is an idiot for trying to pass you that close to start with

 

1 hour ago, pondbassin101 said:

 

I'd say the guy is an idiot for trying to pass you that close to start with

Well when all this was playing out I really thought this guy was coming toward me to ask me how the fishing was going. I certainly was not out in the middle of the river looking to get broadsided. I was just drift fishing a bank. Very odd incident. But this guy was a true ***. I'm sure we'll cross paths but you never know. 

Edited June 15, 2017 by J Francho
Please stop circumnavigating language filters

[Spankey]

Please accept my sincere apology for getting a bit colorful with my language in some of the above post. No one here was by any means targeted and please do not take any offense. Making the story a bit more colorful was my only intent. 

[J Francho]

It's all good.

[RPreeb]

I grew up in the '50s fishing and swimming from a 40+ year old Old Town mahogany canoe that my grandmother bought when she was 20.  I don't think we even owned a PFD.  Learned at a very young age to just stay with the unsinkable canoe.

 

I've been out on boats often with the PFD's stashed in a locker.  That was probably more risky than the canoe, as there was more likelihood of an accident involving injury and not being able to find the PFD's when needed... and the boat doesn't float like a swamped canoe does.  

 

I rafted and kayaked whitewater, mostly in Colorado, for several years and wouldn't have been caught dead without my PFD.  When I buy my fishing kayak this summer, I'll certain have a PFD, but my decision on when to wear it will depend on the circumstances of the outing - comfort balanced against risk based on where I'm paddling.

[Spankey]

A couple of spots I fish you have to be mindful of scullers. I have no problem with them. They don't have any effect on my fishing. You have to keep yourself wired pretty tight. In very early am and under low light and fog conditions coming off the water they are tough to see. I know I'd never want to hit one or wake one to put he/she in an issue. I do and have to run with a bow and stern light before sunrise. The law I guess but, they don't have any requirements in the same conditions. A few wear those small flashing beacon lights on their back and chest. They can be seen very easily. In early am or low light it should be mandatory for them but who am I to suggest something that makes sense. 

[pondbassin101]

32 minutes ago, Spankey said:

A couple of spots I fish you have to be mindful of scullers. I have no problem with them. They don't have any effect on my fishing. You have to keep yourself wired pretty tight. In very early am and under low light and fog conditions coming off the water they are tough to see. I know I'd never want to hit one or wake one to put he/she in an issue. I do and have to run with a bow and stern light before sunrise. The law I guess but, they don't have any requirements in the same conditions. A few wear those small flashing beacon lights on their back and chest. They can be seen very easily. In early am or low light it should be mandatory for them but who am I to suggest something that makes sense. 

 

In florida there's a bunch of laws to do with passing on water and light requirements during foggy and predawn/duck conditions 

[scatterbrains]

I always wear a pfd, i have a stohlquist and have been out on the water for over 6hrs and never has it been uncomfortable. it also doesent hinder anything i need to do bonus points for the extra storage i always have my keys and cell in the zippered pocket.