Sad story - with a reminder

[Texas Transplant]

Got the paper out on Sunday morning, and the first real bad boating story was there.



Three young adults (20-21) took a ride on a jetski early Sunday morning. No lights, party atmosphere, and alcohol. No real estimates on how fast they were going when they ran almost head-on into a bass boat with two fishermen on board.



Two died immediately, the other is in critical care. The two boaters had their lights on, running about 30mph. Fortunately for them, their stupidity didn't cost them also. No life preservers on and no kill switch attachment. Both men were able to get back in the boat, after shutting it down (not sure how).



Everyone please remember to use those kill switches, and put on those life preservers.



Really a very sad story on all fronts.

 

[Mark Hofman]

I got kidded by a couple of guys about two big, red vinyl labels I installed that say "LANYARD!" I put those there because I kept forgetting to hook up the kill switch lanyard to my PFD. I'm getting better at it, but Tex's reminder is right on the money.



As far as wearing PFD's goes, try putting one on AFTER you're in the water! It's almost impossible. Even if it doesn't end up preserving your life, it will make recovering your body a whole lot easier for others.

 

[Jeffry Patterson]

I think calling the two boaters that got hit even though they had their lights on stupid because they did not have their vests or their kill switch on is a bit extreme. All the blame looks like it lies with the jet skiers. What if they hit a swimmer. would that somehow be partly the swimmers fault cuz they happened to be in the water?

I know it is a sad story but lets keep the blame where it belongs, the jet skiers not the law abiding fishermen

 

[Ken Howell]

Personally-



Running your boat at 30 mph WITHOUT Pfd's or kill switch attached is not only stupid-it's dangerous. Just because the accident wasn't their fault doesn't relieve them of their responsibility. What if the boat had struck someone else? The driver of the boat should've insisted. Think man, think!

 

[Mike Levesque]

Wow, sad and tragic, my heart goes out to the families of all involved. personally, this post gave me a strong reminder about the lanyard AND pfd's, even though we've only had our boat a few months, I've already gotten lazy about it, but no more, from now on, instead of the back of my seat wearing the vest, I'll be wearing it, WITH the safety killswitch lanyard attached, anytime we're going over no wake speed, if my guests or passenger thinks it foolish, then I hope they have a nice time "shore fishing". p.s.- At least my kids wear theirs always, from the time they get on board, till the time we're off the water... sorry about the sad news, and thanks for the reminder