ALWAYS wear your Safety Lanyards!

[Woodsy]

Just a reminder...

Always wear your Safety Lanyards.... a runaway boat like this could be deadly on Lake Winni! (There was an accident 5 or so years ago where a mechanic got killed by a runaway boat)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSxK9...layer_embedded

Woodsy

[Dave R]

That was really stupid of the people in the other boat to drive their boat in front of that boat, and then to swim! in front of that boat. The engine was still running at speed and it could have easily slid off the rocks with a single decent sized wake or wave. Assuming there were still some portions of blades left on the prop, it could have easily hit them.

[Woodsy]

Dave...

I suspect climbing up the slippery rocks and onto the boat while the motor was still in gear and running would be far more dangerous....

Woodsy

[Lakepilot]

Did you notice that the boat looked none the worse for wear. I thought for sure it was going to be totally trashed. Good ad for that brand.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Just a reminder...a runaway boat like this could be deadly on Lake Winni! (There was an accident 5 or so years ago where a mechanic got killed by a runaway boat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSxK9...layer_embedded

1) The Winnipesaukee tragedy occurred over ten years ago off Parker Island. The victim was a Wolfeboro resident employed as a Donzi mechanic. Five years ago, the civil case wasn't yet settled by the courts.

2) A closer, more recent, and more relevent case would be at Long Lake (Maine). A driverless runaway boat imperiled—not other night-time boaters so much, but Long Lake's shoreline residents!

3) According to BoaterEd, this is the second video this week of a runaway boat.

Originally Posted by Woodsy

"...Always wear your Safety Lanyards..."

If you have one, this should be an ingrained action—like wearing your seatbelt.

Hmmm. Maybe it's time for a new law. I'd expect offenders would be deterred with both the civil and criminal penalties that would result by non-compliance. A lanyard law would benefit boaters and lakeside residents, while carrying still-greater penalties for a 2nd offense.

Originally Posted by Lakepilot

Did you notice that the boat looked none the worse for wear. I thought for sure it was going to be totally trashed. Good ad for that brand.

I think that Woodsy would agree that it's a better ad for having your next boat surveyed!

This month's Soundings magazine even recommends that even a new boat should get a survey!

...

[JDeere]

Originally Posted by Dave R

That was really stupid of the people in the other boat to drive their boat in front of that boat, and then to swim! in front of that boat. The engine was still running at speed and it could have easily slid off the rocks with a single decent sized wake or wave. Assuming there were still some portions of blades left on the prop, it could have easily hit them.

Yeah right. Instead of thanking them for making sure the boat did not slip into the St. Lucie River and resume it course and maybe kill someone you call them idiots! They did the right thing and should be applauded.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by JDeere

Yeah right. Instead of thanking them for making sure the boat did not slip into the St. Lucie River and resume it course and maybe kill someone you call them idiots! They did the right thing and should be applauded.

They could have accomplished the same heroic task, without crossing in front of the boat.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Dave R

They could have accomplished the same heroic task, without crossing in front of the boat.

1) I noted that nobody with gray hair dove to the rescue.

2) In yesterday's rough waters, a similar boat cruised by with six people on board. ALL were standing.

For certain, remaining seated means there's less chance of a wake ejecting the occupants. (In investigations of boat misadventures, the absense of hand-holds at the helm are decried).

Seasoned helmsmen insist on standing to stay alert, yet the NHMP has warned against standing as printed in the NHMP guidebook. Yet you'll sometimes see four heads peering above a windscreen!

(Not so much above a windshield).

I've mixed feelings about standing while in a boat...AND the need for a lanyard in the first place.

[VtSteve]

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

1) I noted that nobody with gray hair dove to the rescue.

2) In yesterday's rough waters, a similar boat cruised by with six people on board. ALL were standing.

For certain, remaining seated means there's less chance of a wake ejecting the occupants. (In investigations of boat misadventures, the absense of hand-holds at the helm are decried).

Seasoned helmsmen insist on standing to stay alert, yet the NHMP has warned against standing as printed in the NHMP guidebook. Yet you'll sometimes see four heads peering above a windscreen!

(Not so much above a windshield).

I've mixed feelings about standing while in a boat...AND the need for a lanyard in the first place.

Everyone is told to sit down in my boat, except me (I'm usually standing partly and on the bolster. It bears mentioning that boats have different seats. My helm seat is a flip up bolster, which means my feet can be on the floor, as I sit/lean on the bolster.

The lanyard is one of the most important safety features in a boat, next to the captain. If you were to assume the lanyard is only needed at certain speeds, you'd be wrong. At any planing speed, the captain can be thrown around by an unforeseen wave or wake. I read one story when a seated captain was knocked unconscious when he hit a wave, and his head hit the side window hard. Whether alone or with passengers, it's never good to have a boat keep running after the skipper is out cold, or ejected.

It also bears mentioning that most skippers will stand for better visibility. That's why many marine patrol boaters stand, why Coast Guard people will often stand up in their larger Ribs. The skipper has a throttle and steering wheel, most passengers do not have handles. My boat has a grab handle on the front passenger side.

Lanyards should be worn, the more often the better.

I think one of the best safety additions for new boat designs would be a return to flat, and lower dashes. Many of the curved ones are just too high to get great visibility.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

"...I think one of the best safety additions for new boat designs would be a return to flat, and lower dashes. Many of the curved ones are just too high to get great visibility..."

Add to those sculpted curved dashes, inadequate hand-holds in the cockpit area, and reverse-sheer deck designs to "bulk-up" small boats, too many boats have wind protection that won't permit a captain to remain seated and still see ahead adequately.

Originally Posted by VtSteve

"...The lanyard is one of the most important safety features...If you were to assume the lanyard is only needed at certain speeds, you'd be wrong. At any planing speed, the captain can be thrown around by an unforeseen wave or wake..."

1) To read it here at this forum, a "planing speed" can be attained at between 18-MPH to 32-MPH—which are "certain speeds".

2) I've seen certain powerboat designs where the captain and passengers are thrown around by normal wave action. One, a Donzi, "bounced" past me on Tuesday, which was not a windy day.

3) Except for a wake from behind, I don't know what an "unforeseen wake" is. .....I see them all!

[upthesaukee]

I know what you mean.

I know what you mean.

[fatlazyless]

Ya know....if I was to be a juror deciding in the trial of Erika's unfortunate collision.....and I heard that she was attached to the safety lanyard....that would probably effect my thinking in determining if that was a tragic accident or a homicide. Turning the steering wheel just a little bit would have made a big difference I think because the boat could have safely passed by the rocks.....maybe?

She could have been driv'n along all snapped up with the lanyard, thinking all was cool and soon they'd be on home....like it was a familar route, driven many times before.

Wearing the lanyard shows that safety was on her mind......and who hasn't had a beer or two while boating.


"If that lanyard was done snapped, then she must do no time." ..............quote......... The late Johnny Cochran

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Ya know....if I was to be a juror deciding in the trial of Erika's unfortunate collision.....and I heard that she was attached to the safety lanyard....that would probably effect my thinking in determining if that was a tragic accident or a homicide. Turning the steering wheel just a little bit would have made a big difference I think because the boat could have safely passed by the rocks.....maybe?

She could have been driv'n along all snapped up with the lanyard, thinking all was cool and soon they'd be on home....like it was a familar route, driven many times before.

Wearing the lanyard shows that safety was on her mind......and who hasn't had a beer or two while boating.


"If that lanyard was done snapped, then she must do no time." ..............quote......... The late Johnny Cochran

You know F.L.L. You make a good point...

Dan

[Gavia immer]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

The lanyard is one of the most important safety features in a boat, next to the captain. If you were to assume the lanyard is only needed at certain speeds, you'd be wrong. At any planing speed, the captain can be thrown around by an unforeseen wave or wake. I read one story when a seated captain was knocked unconscious when he hit a wave, and his head hit the side window hard. Whether alone or with passengers, it's never good to have a boat keep running after the skipper is out cold, or ejected.

.

The wearing of a lanyard should be required by law when a boat is equipped with one, shouldn't it? Who needs an unaimed missile on the water?

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by Gavia immer

The wearing of a lanyard should be required by law when a boat is equipped with one, shouldn't it? Who needs an unaimed missile on the water?

Do we really need another "feel good" law?

I almost always wear my safety lanyard, but if laws are written to solve a problem, I am not aware of "unaimed missiles" causing any problem on our lake.

R2B

[OCDACTIVE]

You can buy unaimed missles? I think national security would have an issue with that.

[Gavia immer]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

Do we really need another "feel good" law?

I almost always wear my safety lanyard, but if laws are written to solve a problem, I am not aware of "unaimed missiles" causing any problem on our lake.

R2B

VtSteve says "the lanyard is one of the most important safety gadgets on a boat, next to the captain." Think he's onto something?

This lake has already had at least one unaimed missile. That Donzi mechanic "almost always" wore his safety lanyard and now he's deceased.

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by Gavia immer

VtSteve says "the lanyard is one of the most important safety gadgets on a boat, next to the captain." Think he's onto something?

This lake has already had at least one unaimed missile. That Donzi mechanic "almost always" wore his safety lanyard and now he's deceased.

Would a law to wear it have helped?

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Gavia immer

The wearing of a lanyard should be required by law when a boat is equipped with one, shouldn't it? Who needs an unaimed missile on the water?

Ok Wait a friggin minute.... I have been monitoring this thread just wondering if someone would say something foolish like this....

This is something that I like to call liberal feel good legislation. (Givia, I am not trying to single you out, you just happen to have the example)......

The idea here isn't aweful.... but how do you enforce it.... the truth of the matter is this is something that would be an unenforcable after the damage is done kinda of law. Anyboday that wears thier laynard is going to continue to wear it. anyone that doesn't will not. And the only way to get caught is to wreck your boat and be unconscious when the authorities get there to see that you don't have it attached. So what did the law really do....

NOT A DAM THING

Not everything can be legislated.... legislation is not how we make the world safe. Education, on the other hand......

well I will step off my soap box.....

[NoRegrets]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Ok Wait a friggin minute....

Not everything can be legislated.... legislation is not how we make the world safe. Education, on the other hand......

well I will step off my soap box.....

Givia, Your statement was totally innocent and you do not deserve to have any retibution but LIforrelaxin is absolutely right! We already have to many laws that can not be enforced that turn law abiding citezens into criminals!
There is a level of darwinism that will always occur.

It is almost time to leave work, go to Avery's for supper and a cocktail, then boating for the weekend! I hope the weather is not as bad as being forcasted!

[VtSteve]

Yet another law for something else is not a good thing. How many things do you want the MP's do be able to stop you for?

I maintain that the most important piece of equipment in any boat is The Captain. The lanyard, as far as I'm concerned, should be a part of the Captain.

Show people what can happen, do public service announcements. But don't give me more laws

[Gavia immer]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

Would a law to wear it have helped?

MPs won't have to stop anyone to observe lanyard compliance. Woodsy's example is a runaway boat that's too late to call back. Sorry, but LIf is wrong. Without a law, every, single, runaway boat is due to a freak accident. There is no legal "hook".

"Amilia's Law" is only enforced by the individual and enforcement is not just invisible, but blind! Should that new law be struck off the books though it can reasonably be expected to save the lives of innocents???

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Gavia immer

MPs won't have to stop anyone to observe lanyard compliance. Woodsy's example is a runaway boat that's too late to call back. Sorry, but LIf is wrong. Without a law, every, single, runaway boat is due to a freak accident. There is no legal "hook".

"Amilia's Law" is only enforced by the individual and enforcement is not just invisible, but blind! Should that new law be struck off the books though it can reasonably be expected to save the lives of innocents???

Givia,

There are plenty of legal hooks without a new lanyard law.....negligent operation to start with....

I am not going to go deeply into this.... but just like with the SL.... the issue is not that we need any more law.... the laws in place just need to be enforced....

and once again we can comeback to the Coast Guard regulation about Safe and Prudent......

Anyways... now more laws please...

[OCDACTIVE]

Givia,

While I agree that we should have laws that should protect the public I am against repetition of laws. Where one law isn't needed if already covered by another. Hence the safe and prudent coast guard law.

You can not control common sense.

For example how more obvious do you need to make it for someone to wear their lanyard? It is this Long red thing hanging next to the key. If that isn't a big enough flag then certainly a law will not make that person put it on.

Same thing for the seat belt laws. While I believe in wearing mine all the time and feel there should be a law for children for they may need adults to exercise common sense for them, a person who does not want to wear it won't whether there is a law or not.

Now we have to ask ourselves do we want time, effort, and resources going towards laws that are not enforceable (like the lanyards) or going to major issues like BUI's?

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

Givia,

While I agree that we should have laws that should protect the public I am against repetition of laws. Where one law isn't needed if already covered by another. Hence the safe and prudent coast guard law.

You can not control common sense.

For example how more obvious do you need to make it for someone to wear their lanyard? It is this Long red thing hanging next to the key. If that isn't a big enough flag then certainly a law will not make that person put it on.

Same thing for the seat belt laws. While I believe in wearing mine all the time and feel there should be a law for children for they may need adults to exercise common sense for them, a person who does not want to wear it won't whether there is a law or not.

Now we have to ask ourselves do we want time, effort, and resources going towards laws that are not enforceable (like the lanyards) or going to major issues like BUI's?

Just like Seat Belts in the car. I have friends who Will Not put on the belt. I ask them "whats up with that"....and I have Never gotten an answer. They just wander over to some other subject. I don't press it. NB

[OCDACTIVE]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Just like Seat Belts in the car. I have friends who Will Not put on the belt. I ask them "whats up with that"....and I have Never gotten an answer. They just wander over to some other subject. I don't press it. NB

I hear ya. I have one of those friends who are in the very small % where he was in an accident and they told him if he had it on during this particular accident he would have been dead, so now he doesn't wear it.

I tell him straight out I think he is stupid but it's his call. So no "Law" is going to work.

[VtSteve]

Originally Posted by OCDACTIVE

I hear ya. I have one of those friends who are in the very small % where he was in an accident and they told him if he had it on during this particular accident he would have been dead, so now he doesn't wear it.

I tell him straight out I think he is stupid but it's his call. So no "Law" is going to work.

And there are cases where that has happened. The odds are not with you w/o seat belts. Imagine being in a slow mover headed for water, you don't want to be buckled in at all.

I was a late user of seat belts, as I saw the 1st and 2nd incarnations were pretty bad. The manufacturers finally listened, even though they could never push through the three point harness system.

At least they got them for kids, although most of us Boomers survived without even a lap belt.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Just like Seat Belts in the car. I have friends who Will Not put on the belt. I ask them "whats up with that"....and I have Never gotten an answer. They just wander over to some other subject. I don't press it. NB

My wife will NOT put on her seatbelt. I don't care to bring it up anymore, I have been begging her for years, and she just won't do it.

[fatlazyless]

...and the rest of the story....as Paul Harvey would say......

Did ya know that the young girl Amelia and her dad never would have been struck if NH had a motorcycle helmet law.

Dad and daughter Amelia on a motorcycle driving from Massachusetts to New Hampshire on Route 93, stopped in the breakdown lane, some time about 1990, to remove his helmet because they were now in New Hampshire. While Massachusetts had a mandatory motorcycle helmet law, New Hampshire did not. If NH had had a mandatory motorcycle helmet law then Dad most likely would not have been stopping to remove his helmet and daughter Amelia would not get struck by a car.

Something for Republican house minority leader, and American Motorcyclist cover boy, Sherm Packard, (state rep, R-Epping) to think about next time he screams "This is simply a solution look'n for a problem!"

[Woodsy]

FLL...

You need to brush up on your facts! Not that ever got in the way of you telling a good story!

Amilia's Law pertains to the licensing of contractors working with propane and natural gas lines in the home...

http://www.governor.nh.gov/news/2006/053106amilia.htm

Melanie's Law pertains is a Mass law that requires convicted OUI/DWI offenders to install an ignition interlock device in thier vehicle the law also increased penalties for DWI. NH has a similar law. This law has nothing to do with Route 93 or helmet laws... Melanie was struck and killed by a a drunk driver while crossing Rte 139 in Mass...

You are thinking of Lacey Packer who was struck & killed on Rt 93 by a drunk driver.

Woodsy

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

...and the rest of the story....as Paul Harvey would say......
Did ya know that the young girl Amelia and her dad never would have been struck if NH had a motorcycle helmet law.

What?That's a stretch. I could turn that around and say this accident would not have happened if Massachusetts did not have a helmet law.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by chipj29

My wife will NOT put on her seatbelt. I don't care to bring it up anymore, I have been begging her for years, and she just won't do it.

Well I was a seat belt late comer. Like your wife there was a time where I would not put mine one. I saw a family burned to a crisp because they where wearing their seat belts in Seattle when I was about 12. Sure they all survived but spent months recovering from burns because they could not be easily removed from the car, and had to wait for firefighters.

I also stopped at an accident scene when I was older with a car on fire, and once again although the door was open the heat was to much to get close enough to pull the person from the car. And again the person had to wait for firefighters

In short a seat belt does trap you and make you hard to extract in extreme circumstances.

So what got me to where my seat belt religiously you may ask..... well I started wearing mine off and on, while living in Vermont... it was the law after all.... and then one winter day, while wearing my seatbelt the black ice took me for a ride, down into gully and on my side. Well I know how much I got thrown around with the seat belt on, and had a bruise or two to show for it. However I realized at that moment, I probably would have been tossed around a lot more had I not had that belt on, and probably been knock unconscious.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Just a reminder...

Always wear your Safety Lanyards.... a runaway boat like this could be deadly on Lake Winni! (There was an accident 5 or so years ago where a mechanic got killed by a runaway boat)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSxK9...layer_embedded

Woodsy

Woodsy, you will remind us to "always" wear our lanyards, but you previously wrote that you won't wear your seatbelt. Shouldn't one always be held securely behind the steering wheel?

Others here are offering the option of lanyard use, so what is your "take" on an apparent conflict on safety device issues?

Originally Posted by VtSteve

"...At least they got them for kids, although most of us Boomers survived without even a lap belt..."

Any Boomers who didn't survive (?) please speak up now.

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

"...legislation is not how we make the world safe. Education, on the other hand...well I will step off my soap box..."

One of our Forum members once wrote:

"...Do you really believe that the Boating Safety Certificate Law has helped tame inexperienced boaters?? Gimme a break! Any monkey with a laptop and a credit card can take the test anonymously over the internet (even for someone else other than themselves) and look up the answers while taking it. One might claim that at least at that point the material was read but was it really...?"

I'll acknowledge that such "workarounds" are readily available all around us, so what "Education" can trump a law?

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

...if I was to be a juror deciding in the trial of Erika's unfortunate collision...She could have been driv'n along all snapped up with the lanyard, thinking all was cool and soon they'd be on home...like it was a familar route, driven many times before..."

The chances of being thrown out of a heavy cruiser are nil. Was her boat equipped with a lanyard?

Originally Posted by VtSteve

"...Lanyards should be worn, the more often the better...

None of my boats came equipped with a lanyard: should I just "drive" more safely?

ETA:
I stumbled upon this (excerpted) post from two years ago:

"...I never connect mine to me on the lake, but I have a very deep cockpit, and a good sized boat for Winnipesaukee conditions. I do connect it on the ocean..."

As I regard this poster's knowledge of boats highly, I'd like to see a defense made in this particular thread—by this poster.