Since tha article that started this posting was a call for papers from
interested parties, I guess I should write one and send it along.

According to Coasty friends: the vast majority of bodies recovered are
men and the fly is open (the presumption is that they were in the
process of whizzing over the side {legal most places} and got toppled
into the water).

It would seem this could be eliminated as a cause of drownding by either
requiring that all boats have a enclosed head (with holding tank - of
course) or requiring that clothing wore on board not have a fly.

Matt Colie



Scott McFadden wrote:
"Jeff Morris" wrote in message ...


You have a good point. Florida leads the country in boating fatalities (over
the last 5 years), but is lagging behind in drownings. However, you make up
the difference by having the largest number of non-drowning boating fatalities,
caused by leading the way (by a huge margin) in collisions with fixed objects.

Clearly, while Florida may deserve an exemption for PFD's, they should be
required to build all bridges out of foam rubber.


I believe a realistic first step would be to prohibit the consumption
of alcoholic beverages by the operator of a power boat. (It is legal
to do so in Fla)

Do that, see if it doesn't effect the accident stats, and get back to
me on this mandatory PFD wearing crap. (+-5yrs)

I was both a Red Cross and Ocean Rescue lifeguard and I didn't need no
freaking PFD for either of them.

So, it is real simple, people going out in boats should know how to
swim. Contact your local YMCA or Red Cross for lessons. There really
is no excuse for failing to do so as even little, teeny, tiny children
are taught.

Perhaps we should make that bit of common sense "mandatory".
--
SJM