USCG Considers Mandatory PFD Use

[Morgan3820]

Originally Posted by rtbates

So who will save all your bitching asses when your vessel starts to sink????

Could it be the CG??????

IF they didn't have to rescue your ass they probably wouldn't care what you did on the water.

The CG is getting very tired of seeing folks drown all because they didn't wear a PFD..

Don't want any help and/or rules from the CG??? Start a campaign that lets anyone who wishes to opt out to sign a waiver stating that any and all CG rescue efforts will not be asked for...

If the CG truley cares about saving our bitching asses then why did they stand and watch the guy in San Francisco drown??? The CG said that it was too shallow, the SFFD said was too deep. The Goldilocks Brigade

Personally, I think that it is agreat Idea. I'll make a fortune selling t-shirts with pictures of life jackets printed on them.

The CG is the last organization that I would call. Tow/US will come and get me a lot quicker with a smile and no guns. And I don't get a ticket/lecture or other government nonsense.

[pjop]

How many citations need written in order to fund this Florida Wildlife Commission miniature destroyer based out of Carrabelle, FL? How many people are taxed into the poor house in relation the alleged approximate 500 people per year that mandatory life vest would prevent (assuming, of course, everyone followed the law). Regulations are a necessity of this complex society within which we live. Isn't all a cost-benefit analysis. It seems not to the folks drafting some of these regulations. But, hey the more regulation, the more funding, the more jobs, the more power, the more benefits, etc. ad nausem.

[mrohr]

Hi All : Sailors should be required to wear helnets too;who here has never been hit in the head with a boom?
Seriously, I'm impressed with the number of posters here who have had it with the nanny state. I just wish this sentiment would carry over into the general population. Maybe one of the appeals of boating is the feeling of freedom and independence that seperates us from the rest of the sheeple.

[Pblais]

Cripes! I sure didn't mean to open that can of worms!

Well there you go - it is all your fault now. You don't get to decide the outcome either. I'm more of a wear the PFD person mostly because you don't choose when you go over the the side all that often. Many small boat deaths close to shore would be prevented with a PFD. No one here cruises on an 17 ft boat. It is never been about that issue and trying to say it is ids just more BS than what ever you think of the regulation that isn't even law yet.

It's easy to argue the slippery slope but it's not on the radar now.

[coultereng]

When conditions warrent it, I wear a PFD. But its my decision. I am 100% against a mandatory requirement to wear a PFD.

[Ironhorse74]

Originally Posted by doug86

interesting contrast of two thread today in CF. This thread, which so far members seem to think that the government is overstepping in an attempt to save lives...

and another one Water Rescue Failure - SF - Page 2 - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
where most posts seem to think the government didn't do enough.

I'm not taking sides, merely pointing out that there seems to be some schizophrenia in our country about the role of government in our lives.

Interesting observation. I am not sure you can contrast government mandates with first responders not doing their jobs.

From what I can gather both of these come from the over reach of government. Mandatory PFD and California OSHA regulations.

Brad

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by michaeldsusa

the problem I see is where does it end?


will blowboaters be required to wear gybe helmets next?

when will meteor helmets be required?

Just before they require us all to wear helmets while asleep in our beds so we won't fall out and hit our heads...(sigh)

[fgd3]

Originally Posted by David M

The Coasties used to be under the Department of Commerce for a number of good reasons. Making them a branch of the DOD was a mistake and illegal under the Posse Comitatus Act.

The US Coast Guard is under the Department of Homeland Security, not the Department of Defense.

Fabbian

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by fgd3

The US Coast Guard is under the Department of Homeland Security, not the Department of Defense.

Fabbian

Damn... my knife's to blunt to split the hair....

[Boracay]

Here NSW Maritime has brought in a whole host of requirements as to when PFD's must be worn.

I'm going to have to buy and wear one on the dinghy now. Probably a good idea.

Looks like those who hate avoidable drownings have won.

[Khagan1227]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Damn... my knife's to blunt to split the hair....

Better sharpen that knife Boats.

The Coast Guard is under the Department of Homeland Security during times of peace. During times of war control reverts to... Department of Defense, specifically, the U.S. Navy. From the official U.S. Coast Guard website:

Is the Coast Guard a military service?
Yes. By law, the Coast Guard is an Armed Force of the United States. Its roughly40,000 regular and 8,000 reserve Coast Guard uniformed members comprise the smallest of the five military services and the only such service not a part of the Department of Defense. While part of the Department of Homeland security in peacetime, it becomes a part of the Navy in time of war.

USCG: Office of the Judge Advocate General?

[ausaviator]

In Victoria (Australia) it's been mandatory for a year or more to wear PFD's whilst under way on a vessel of less than 5.5 metres (I hope I've got the length correct) and it's mandatory for children up to a certain age. I can't see an issue with it, particularly with those small inflatable jackets you can get these days.

As for the open ocean when you're lounging around in your speedo's, yeah it might get a bit annoying with a PFD tan line across your back and front.

[James S]

Originally Posted by ausaviator

As for the open ocean when you're lounging around in your speedo's, yeah it might get a bit annoying with a PFD tan line across your back and front.

That's what I'm thinking...Bad idea.

[markpierce]

The Coasties have to wear PFDs, so maybe they figure we should have to also.

I presume once you fall overboard, it would be legal to remove the PFD because then you'd be swimming.

Maybe swimmers will be required to employ waterwings?!

.........

Bathrooms are very dangerous places. Next you know we'll have to wear helmets to use the john, shower/tub, or the sink.

[Ishmael]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Maybe swimmers will be required to employ waterwings?!

Swimmers will no longer be allowed to put their heads underwater. Did you know the vast majority of drownings occur when one's head is submerged? They'll be issuing citations to any swimmers with wet hair.