"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
.. .
Mr. Townsend,

In all honesty, I don't feel this is a federal issue at all. I can't
speak for California or the rest of the United States, but I can tell
you that here in Wisconsin, at least the waters I frequent the State and
Counties do a superb job of monitoring watercraft safety. I think the
last thing we need is one more level of government leaning on us. Like
you said "the last frontier of unregulated personal activity", should
remain just that. You want to put together an awareness group that is
voluntary to help with safety, hey, I am all for it. I don't personally
want another government organization reiterating what my local
governments already have in place.

If I see someone being unsafe on the water, I will either confront them,
or call the local authorities, and they do a good job of responding. So
what is my "watercraft" doesn't meet "SAFER" standards? What happens
then? The acronym itself bothers me. Flexible and Efficient imply
restrictions , and who determines how flexible and efficient?
Accountability is part of personally responsibility on the water. Leave
it to the boaters and local authorities to deal with problems.

Could you give us a breakdown of cost to the taxpayers to get this
started? Could you give me a benefit to having this that isn't already
provided by Wisconsin programs? Why duplicate efforts???

I will tell you this, one of the main attractions of fishing to me is
the freedom I am allowed out on the water. It is up to me to be safe,
and keep the people around me safe. I know the consequences of my
actions with a ton of fiberglass beneath me, just as I do when I get in
my car if I have been drinking. I know what it is like to have someone
you care for injured in a boating accident, I had 2 friends run right
over by a larger boat. The kids in the bigger boat were drinking and
not paying attention in the evening. T-Boned my buddies boat, both my
friends survived, and the kids were punished according to Wisconsin law.

If I am completely missing the boat........please show me more
information on how this is a benefit to the people who use the water to
escape the red tape of everyday life. Escape should not imply
irresponsibility, it should imply peacefulness, fun, nature, etc etc.

Chris

I'm with you Chris. We need to stop adding "agencies" to do things that
should already being done under current laws. Better enforcement and not new
bureaucracies are what we really need. If anything, we need to look at some
sort of boater safety courses for boat operators younger than a certain age
(like many states require gun/hunter safety courses before they can gain
hunting licenses), or everyone that intends to operate a watercraft
regardless of age if you find the other method somehow prejudicial. And we
need to set a minimum age for PWC operators too IMO. Every person I saw
pulled out of local lakes last year as a result of a PWC-involved accidents,
wasn't even old enough to drive themselves to the lake where they got hurt.

I don't think any of those above would require some new organization though.
Especially not some new country wide organization. I think it should be
handled at the state level, personally. And therefore funded by the people
that will ultimately be affected. I'm not fond of pouring money into a
federal-level warchest that may or may not ever help my own state.


RT wrote:
Group,

I am new to this group and wanted to intro at the beginning of this
boating season. There are many hidden water hazards out there so this
is just a note to remind you to be careful, keep the "recreational
mind set" under control.

I have recently formed the group that is known by it's acronym, SAFER
BOATING. That said, the organization is properly named Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Recreational (SAFER) Boating. The
purpose of this organization is to establish appropriate, economical
but much needed higher standards for all Recreational Watercraft. In
short, eventually if the watercraft has not been inspected and
certified by SAFER, we will not consider it a safe vessel. This
organization will not be a "front" group for boating and boat
accessory or after market boating products.

The web site is under construction, accessible by the end of fall. In
the interim we invite you to participate in our newly established
discussion group on goggle, under the groups heading under this
organizations name in the recreational category. We are currently
focused on "Propeller Strikes" but we will pursue other areas of
SAFER BOATING in the near future. The only other injury we have ever
seen that is as grotesque and disfiguring as well as life altering,
almost always ending in death, is a full body burn or war injury.
Propeller Strike injuries are so easily preventable for a minimum
amount of money.

I lobby for the reform of recreational boating when I am in my
Washington DC office each month. I need additional information about
any tragic boating event. Thus if you see one, know of one or are
involved in one, please let me know. Better yet, if you happen to have
caught the incident on film or video, please forward and with your
permission I will post on the web site after it comes up. We are also
interested in capturing film or video of boaters that are operating
or allowing unsafe activities happen within their zone of operation.
Even Recreational Boating, the last frontier of unregulated personal
activity (or so it is claimed) should remain fun....but safe as well. I
know many will disagree, but you can be safe and still have fun
boating...and that is what this is all about...SAFER BOATING!

The information provided would assist greatly when continuing efforts
are made to convince the federal regulatory agency and the congress
that something must be done to prevent exposed propeller strikes as
well as other necessary reforms in boating.

I am also a Legal Investigator with operations out of Dana Point, Ca
92629 as well. As an investigator I have witnessed the tragic
consequences and detailed the evidence in boating accidents. The
carnage, if unable to be eliminated must be dramatically mitigated in
the next few years.

If you have already become involved in a tragic boating accident and If
legal counsel represents you, please advise him/her of this contact. If
litigation is planned or in fact proceeding, we will welcome his/her
contact; indeed we might have information that will be helpful to the
litigation. They are welcome to contact me via email or through my web
site as indicated, rhtownsend.com. Please advise if counsel does not
represent you as well. I hope that you will feel free to contact me. I
will be available to answer any of your questions as directly and
honestly as I can.

Very truly yours,


RobertTownsend,CLI