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The media is reporting that three of the victims at Strawberry grabbed life jackets, and one was clinging to a fuel can. Makes me wonder if there were only three jackets on board. And what about a throwable? Boat may have been overloaded, as well? Preservers may not have saved them in the cold water, but they sure would have helped if they were fastened.
Having said that:
I'm as guilty as anyone about WEARING my life jacket, even though I have 4 on-board, and several throwables at the ready. I've only actually put one on about 5 or 6 times on the Gorge in my 20' Lund, and that was crossing a large bay by myself in water I shouldn't have been on anyway. I do wear one in my pontoon on lakes and rivers. Although I've heard of countless boating-related drownings in my life, this latest one is an eye opener for me for some reason.
It seems really stupid of me not to wear one, especially since I'm on water over 200-250 days a year, and have been all of my adult life. And, I see a fair share of boaters each year, and very few are wearing preservers. I'm a firm believer in seat belts on the highway, so why not on the water?
Mechanical problems such as loss of steering, loss of control due to cavitation, or striking an underwater object at high speeds can also cause loss of control and capsizing. It doesn't need to be windy. That's why they call them "accidents."
My lame excuses are that they're hot in the summer, the water isn't that cold then, I'm a hell of a swimmer, and there's always other boats around. In the winter, I can't fit one over the 6 layers of clothes I have on. Besides, I've never had a boating wreck or accident! LAME EXCUSES I've been using all my life. When I was a kid though, my dad always MADE me wear one.
I don't know the exact numbers, but I bet there aren't many drownings when people are actually wearing their life jackets. Maybe its time we all wear the darn things when the boat is underway?
In Florida, there's already talk of a "life jacket law", requiring them to be worn by everyone anytime a boat is underway. Seat belts are required in every state. Maybe we can all just do it so lawmakers won't have to?
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One more thing to think about. They found the life jacket. Had it been on they would have found one of the people.
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Couldnt have said it better myself Jim. I totally agree with you as far as this incident being an "eye-opener" for me as well. I dont know why, but it just puts a chill down my spine thinking of what happened to those people. I guess it was because, just a few weeks ago I was on Strawberry and the wind picked up and I didnt think we were going to make it back myself. In situations like that you should AT LEAST put your PFD on (I didnt!!! What was I thinking??? That could have been me or the two in the boat with me) or at very least just take the boat up on shore and wait out the wind or storm. I guarantee I will be wearing my PFD whenever the boat is in motion from now on!!!
J A K
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So there I am, not 3 miles from these people in the water, buzzing along thinking to myself, "These are some big waves", and not wearing a jacket. I can tell you this, from this point on when my boat is underway my PFD is on.
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Has anyone tried putting on a lifejacket while they were in the water already? Especially one that is not well adjusted to fit the wearer? I have done this during the summer in water that was 75 degree's and while only wearing a swim suit. It was difficult even then. I can't imagine trying to get one on in water that is 42 degree's and wearing boots and jeans trying to sink you, and a big bulky coat and maybe even gloves. I doubt I would be able to do it. A floatation cushin seems more useful at that time until hypothermia kicks in and you go unconscious and let go. Under the circumstances that the "accident" happened yesterday the lifejackets laying in the boat were useless! In my boat the lifejackets stored under the seats and in the floor compartment are worthless as well!
I'm not sure that in my 19 foot boat I am ready to wear my jacket all the time but I never hesitate to put it on when the wind kicks up and the waves start rolling. I reallize that other accidents can happen even under calm water conditions and I should wear it while the boat is under way.
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I always throw on my inflatable when on the water. It is small, doesn't get too hot in the summer, and is there if I need it. No it isn't one of the automatic ones, but heck, if I'm konked out, drowning wouldn't be a bad way to go. A hard lesson to learn.
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I agree with what you say.I always wear my lifevest,but it's not allways buckled up,may have to start doing that after reading about those poor folks at Strawberry.DROWNING CUTS INTO YOUR FISHING TIME!
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WHAT YOU HAVE SHARE IS TRUE FOR ME AS WELL. I NEVER WAIR ONE. BUTT I MAKE MY SON CODY WAIR HIS. HE HATES THEM BUTT ALWAYS DOES WHAT I SAY. IF I WAS IN THE BOAT WITH THEM I WOULDNT HAVE HAD ONE ON EITHER, I KNOW ME AND THAT IS THE TRUTH. ITS AMAZING TO ME THE OTHER 2 SURVIVED WITH THE WATER TEMPS THEY SHOULDNT HAVE. HYPO SETS IN QUICK IN WATER THAT COLD MOST WOULD HAVE STARTED TO SHUT DOWN BEFORE REACHING SHORE AND SUCCUME TO THE COLD. IF AND IM GOING TO DIE ID RATHER DROWNED THAN DIE OF HYPO. SEE IVE HAD HYPOTHERMIA BEFORE TWICE, ONCE ON A SCOUT WINTER CAVE SLEEP OUT ANOTHER WHILE CAUGHT IN A AUG SNOW STORM DEEP IN THE HIGH UINTAS. IT IS VERY UNPLESSANT WHEN ONES LIMBS GO NUMB AND THE HART STARTS TO SLOW. ITS SOMETHING I NEVER WANT TO EXP AGAIN. SO I WOULD JUST SAY GOOD BY GO UNDER AND TAKE A BREATH OF WATER. 2 MINUITS OR SO AND ITS OVER. I KNOW MY LOVED ONES WOULD HATE IT AND HAVE SOME TUFF TIMES WITH OUT ME HERE BUT IT WOULD BE MY CHOISE AT THAT TIME. IHAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS MANY TIMES WHILE CROSSING FROM THE NAROWS TO THE MAIN MARINA AT THE BERRY IN MY OLD 14 FT SHALLOW V AND ALWAYS LEFT THE PFD ON THE FLOOR. JUST LUCKY OR MY JOB HERE IS INCOMPLETE CAULSE IM STILL HERE.
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[  ][ ] Hind site is always 20-20. I like the killerbees idea, I think I will spend the money and purchase a few of the inflatables to wear during the travel times and rough water/ winds come up. The couple hundred bucks is cheap insurance that could save me or whoever is with me. They appear to be not bulky, all you would need to do is pull the string to inflate them. Yea, might be unconcious if I was cruising along and something major happened, But, The good Lord put me here and he will take me home when he says my time is done here. Then I can go fish where all the fish are big!
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this is a good eye opener, I wrecked my company truck this week, let me tell you it happens just that fast, no second chance, One stupid move, one distraction, and you are in trouble, I think those inflatables maybe a good comfortable option? thanks Jim good info....
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Have been checking out the inflatables at cabelas on line this morning. They have a Guardian 2500 series that has a manual or manual auto inflation for 79 bucks. The auto says that it will automatically inflate once submerged in water. I think I will give this info to the wife for my christmas gift. She wont buy me any tackle or such, Might as well see if she will get this.
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[cool][#0000ff]Make sure that she knows the difference between an inflatable PFD and a buoyancy compensator vest (for diving). The latter is designed to provide additional weight to offset the bouyancy of neoprene wetsuits and other diving gear, to help the diver get down better.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Then again, it might not be a good idea to make her aware there are such things. Watch out if she wants you to increase your life insurance coverage when she hands you a package.[/#0000ff]
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Good idea Jim. We don't need any more tragedies like this.
One good reason to be WEARING your pfd instead of just have them on board is what happens if your boat capsizes - for whatever reason - and you hit your head on the gunwal or some other hard object?
Once you are unconscious or disoriented, you probably won't be putting that lifejacket on, or holding onto floating debris or a jacket.
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A few years ago I was on the water and we had to pull into shore as the water got real choppy from winds. We pulled in and went to the bathroom and waited about an hour till the wind died down enough to go back out. After we started out my steering had a mechanical problem and it came completely loose and steering was totally lost until I could reconnect the main rod that had some how worked it self loose. If this would have happened earlier when we were in choppy winds it would have been a disaster and we may not have made it. I think everyone should be aware as Jim pointed out strange things can happen when boating and we all should always be cautious at all times.
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Tarpon Jim said:In Florida, there's already talk of a "life jacket law", requiring them to be worn by everyone anytime a boat is underway. Seat belts are required in every state. Maybe we can all just do it so lawmakers won't have to?
Florida isn't the only state looking at this.The USCG is looking into making this a blanket policy for all boater's,regardless of boat size.While this accident at Strawberry was tragic,the last thing I want is the government telling i HAVE to wear a pfd on my boat.We need and have laws protecting us from other people's action's.I sure don't need a law protecting me from
me.
Where does it stop? If we have mandatory pfd laws whats next .? Is the government going to tell me how many big mac's I can eat or how many sodas i can consume at one time? Laws like a mandatory pfd law creates a slippery slope ,as to how much governing is to much.As Jim has said he is all for seat belts in boats.How does that work,when babies or small children are aboard.What happens when everyone is strapped in and the boat capsizes,and the seat belt wont release?Then think of the cost of a boat for it to be equipped with seat belts,boats are expensive enough as it is.I don't see the need for more rules to protect me from me. I would like to see every boat operator have to pass a safe boating course.This helps all of us to become safer and better boaters.Education is the way to help stop stupid needless accidents ,not more legislation.
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It always  dens me when a life is lost fishing. There are many lessons that can be learned from this tragedy. Not enough life jackets on board. Not wearing them especially when the wind comes up. I do not like the idea of 4 people in a 14 foot boat. It is over loaded. When they went in the water, trying to fight the wind instead of letting it help them. I know we all break most of the comensense rules. I know I do. But maybe now for a while I will put on my life jacket, at least when the wind comes up
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[reply]
[cool][#0000ff]Make sure that she knows the difference between an inflatable PFD and a buoyancy compensator vest (for diving). The latter is designed to provide additional weight to offset the bouyancy of neoprene wetsuits and other diving gear, to help the diver get down better.[/#0000ff]
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[/reply]
Divers wear lead to overcome their own positive buoyancy and that of their wet suit. The BC vest provides variable, positive buoyancy to compensate for the negative buoyancy of the lead. And since the buoyancy of neoprene varies with depth, neutral buoyancy changes as the diver's depth changes.
Not to mention you have to go to a dive shop to buy a BC.
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[left]I can't speak for Tarponjim, but as for seatbelts in boats, I think he was just making a comparison between seatbelts in cars and PFDs in boats, not literally installing seat belts in boats. Still, all of these points are valid and certainly gives food for thought. I think that I need to pony up the money for an inflatable. In saltwater its not such a problem, you see, being as fat as I am I am incredibly boyant--can barely dive--you could use me as a marker bouy--but in fresh, cold water, there is really not substitute for wearing a PFD and making the best decisions possible. This really was a tragedy that I hope will not repeat itself. Stay safe everybody![/left]
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Whoaaa Kokeking!!![laugh][laugh]
I do not, and would never, advocate wearing a seatbelt in a boat. It would serve no purpose, and be dangerous. Re-read my post. I NEVER said that! Lifejacket-yes, seat belt-crazy. I was using the seat belt law as an analagy.
What I did say is the point you were making. I hate government telling me what I can't and can do. I'm as big of anti-regulation, anti-government person as there is. If I could, I would abolish state and federal governments all together, there'd be no such thing.
The point is, if we all, including myself, don't start wearing them more often, pressure from insurance lobbists, rescue groups, and others who lose money and time from accidents will force government regulations requiring them. You think the government gives a rats a** how many people die in car wrecks? No! They don't care how many people drown in a lake either. But their supporters, lobbists, and other criminals who pay their way do. Coast Guard and other rescue personnel who put their own safety in danger to save our butts do. That's why we have seat belt laws. Injuries were, and still are, costing both taxpayers and private companies billions of dollars, and creating risk for emergency personnel. I'm saying life jackets could be next, and maybe we should all wear them for that reason, as well as possibly saving our own hide some day.
I'm as guilty as anyone, of not wearing one, and maybe more so since I'm on the water so often, but I'm vowing here and now to try to change my ways. Starting with my next trip out.
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The new hydro-static life vests are cool. As soon as they are submerged in water they automaticaly inflate and they are designed to right a person so you are facing skyward. The only setback is the price. The cheepest i have seen is around $200. Well worth the price though if you spend alot of time on the water.
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