"N.H. among worst for boating accidents"

[VtSteve]

Originally Posted by Islander

This is the typical "let's pretend there is no problem" argument. Also known as "but I want to go fast".

However it all revolves around the premise that going fast is just as safe as going slow. An obvious lie!

The Coast Guard considers excessive speed as a major factor in boating accidents, but what do they know! Where's the Beef? Ask the USCG!

The oppositions inability to see the problem is the reason why we won!

"We" have always pointed out that on any lake, some problems exist. But just as the MP spokesman said once, "We" fail to see the carnage and catastrophes you alude to.

"We" have pointed out that the rules being broken are already in place, it's the Marine Patrol that is not in place. Skip pointed out that we shouldn't expect more funding for them, he's probably correct.

Not once in the above example, with the Facts being presented in raw form and summary form, did you address them. The Facts clearly point to the majority of problems being attributed to things other than what the speed limits address. I've not seen one report, EVER, anywhere, that points to the primary, or even a Significant portion of accidents being caused by speeding over 45mph.

The above data suggests something entirely different than what you suggest. Your failing to address enforcement of existing laws and regulations pretty much proves that you have only one agenda. The 2007 data will be out next year I suppose. What then?

Just for good, solid backup support.


"
Observations:
The major contributors to increased accidents in 2006 are capsizing, falls on PWCs, fires, and skier mishaps.
The number of collisions with other vessels and being struck by a boat or motor is declining significantly.
The best year for accidents, 2004, was because there were few (2) collisions with fixed objects (Was that the year they took all the rocks out of the lake and bubble wrapped the islands? I forget?), and only 1 skier mishap was reported (Can you believe that? 18 to 1 to 22?)

The fear of high speed boats is that they will HIT other boats. Boat collisions are half of what they were in 2002.

Capsizing is much more common for smaller boats and 2006 was one of the flood years when some "adventurers" unsuccessfully tried going into flood swollen rivers. It happened again this spring on the Merrimack.

Falls on PWCs might be speed related but it's not too hard to get banged up if you hit waves or wake wrong or turn too sharply.

I find it quite a reach to attribute fires and skier mishaps to high boat speed and if you want to limit skier speeds to "protect" them then we can start banning snow skiing, mountain hiking, ice climbing, and a bunch of other activities.

Where's the speed limit beef?

If we want fewer accidents lets ban water skiing, require outrigger pontoons on all canoes and kayaks, and bubble wrap all docks. That should cut the accident numbers in half. "