My condolences as well.
I understand the CG is not enforcing this particular rule, and letting the
skipper decide.

The problem: If the skipper declares a possible hazardous bar and orders the
jackets be donned, the passengers will wonder why they are spending good
money to put themselves at risk . The other option is to turn back, but the
skipper has a financial incentive to not make that call. It would be best to
take the decision away from the skipper and let the authorities declare when
conditions warrant their use.

"Curtis CCR" wrote in message
om...
Sorry to hear about your dad and the others that died in that
incident.

But the regulation does not appear to be too ambiguous. It says that
master of the vessel *shall* require passengers to don life jackets...
To say that lifejackets should be worn when crossing ANY bar or inlet
is overkill as not all are hazardous.


Sec. 185.508 Wearing of life jackets.

(a) The master of a vessel shall require passengers to don
life
jackets when possible hazardous conditions exist, including, but not
limited to:
(1) When transiting hazardous bars and inlets;
(2) During severe weather;
(3) In event of flooding, fire, or other events that may possibly
call for evacuation; and
(4) When the vessel is being towed, except a non-self-propelled
vessel under normal operating conditions.
(b) The master or crew shall assist each passenger in obtaining a
life jacket and donning it, as necessary.



(Carl) wrote in message
. com...
Change the law! My dad was killed on that boat. Chapter 46, Code of
Federal Regulation, part 185.508 needs to be changed to take the
decision to make the passengers wear PFD's out of the hands of the
master of a vessel. Make it a requirement to wear PFD's when crossing
any inlet or bar. To bulky, or cumbersome? Got to be macho? Then
you're stupid, and selfish. Wearing a PFD for 10 (ten) minutes while
crossing an inlet or bar will not ruin your trip. Not wearing a PFD
could end up costing you your life, and those that love you a large
chunk of theirs. I ask that you contact your senators and congressmen
and ask them to change this ambiguous law to be more specific. If not
every time when crossing a bar or inlet, then at a minimum when the
Coast Guard has issued a small craft advisory. Great to be
macho...DUMB to be dead.