Bill,
Sorry. Been a bit stressed lately - fighting quite a few issues within the VDGIF lately - mostly hunting stuff, but some fishing as well. I've never been one to be content with just accepting things the way they are, just "because". I've heard all the arguements on the issue, and not one of them makes any sense to me.
1) The time difference between getting my throwable cushion from the position it is in when I'm fishing (either on the seat, or under one of the two consoles to keep it out of the way) v/s where I used to stow it (front compartment, right under where I'm standing when I'm fishing) is a second or two - and I'm not really sure the current position is the quicker of the two, as I have to walk to the middle of the boat, get down into the sole, and reach under the console or on the seat for it - where before, I just reached down, opened the compartment, yanked it out - done.
2) The issue of it being "in the water" if I should get thrown overboard in a boat wreck doesn't wash either, because at the speeds most of us travel, that throw cushion won't be anywhere near the boat when everything comes to a stop.
3) As far as the law being written for the "lowest common denominator" - I understand what Scott is saying, but I've about had it with the "dumbing down" of society today. If we have to dumb things down that much, then those people shouldn't be driving boats.... or driving at all for that matter.
4) As for Game Wardens being reasonable about defining "on deck" - that's not always the case. That is my major gripe regarding this issue. One friend of mine has been checked several times - every time his is "readily accessable" ... in a compartment. And he gets let go without any question or lecture (older gentleman in an older boat). Now, the Game Warden who stopped me last drove over to me as I was coming off plane, right before a no-wake zone, and started the conversation with "Hey there Hot-Rod... how 'bout showing me your registration information?", and treated me like I was some snot-nosed kid... even though I'm 38 years old and about to retire from the military. The questioning continued "How fast does this thing run anyway?". I replied to his question with "70+". Then the "where is your Type IV?" As I start to pull it out of the front compartment, he is already shaking his head with this pissed off look on his face. He doesn't write me a ticket, but immediatly starts to chastise me on the importance of where it is SUPPOSED to be. I say "It won't stay on deck at 70+ mph". His response "Read what the regulation states. If you can't keep it on deck, then you don't need to be doing 70mph, now do you?". Like he was some jerk adult talking down to a small child that had just broke a window.
Now, I ask you - if you knew there was a HUGE grey area in this regulation, and you had been subjected to that, would you sit here with your mouth closed on this issue? Some can say yes. I can't. I have to call BS on this. It's a stupid law, and should be repealed. If you wish to keep yours on deck because you find it easier to get to, then that is fine. But we shouldn't have a law that it is mandatory, and then have the GW's interpret the law as they see fit, or in regards to the individual that they stopped.
You didn't tick me off Bill. I didn't care for Marty Klein's post - things that don't add any value to the post and only succeed in raising my blood pressure for no reason. But that is fine. There will come a day when he needs help. I 'll be the bigger man and actually help him with a smile on my face.
All the best,
Glenn
