S.P.I.N

"Kill Switches" are a must I think. We have the Marine Accident Investigation Board here and their site always features horror stories of people run down by their own boat. Sadly often rich kids playing in the tender to a big powerboat. Usually there's a lanyard fitted but they don't use it.

The switch it off rule is just common sense. I had that rule drummed into me before I ever went near any skis. Of the few prop accidents I've seen, I think they have all been caused by breaking the rule.

It's so easy to knock an idling boat into gear, often reverse to make it worse, when you turn round to see if the skier is back in the boat. Switch it off it's the only way.

"A series of events lead to all three of us being thrown from the boat that Saturday."

The ommision of this information says volumes about what may have happened here. While I have great sympathy for the victims here, I would have to believe that their behavior led to the accident.

The story in the link is very sad. No one could disagree with that, but how many of you really want to see a "manditory-prop-guard-on-all-boats" rule? That is what this message is advocating.

This is a quote from the link story:

"...a purpose ... To warn others of exposed propeller dangers, and to work to make it mandatory for all boats to have safety equipment installed and regulated for use. Such items are propeller guards..."

I for one would hate to see that. The prop guard in particular (if we're talking about the same thing) is going to rob performance characteristics as well as economy (already generally poor in boats).

Those guards, to my knowledge, are designed for lower HP fishing boats to keep weeds off the prop or protect the prop itself in shallows, not for human safety (feel free to correct if I'm wrong).

A lanyard may not be a bad idea, but I wouldn't even want that to be manditory.

Caution and a healthy respect for what it is you're doing while boating are going to be far more effective than manditory performance restricting gadgets.

I've always wondered why more states don't require some sort of boat driver's license and a test to obtain it whereby you prove that you're worthy and able to operate one in the first place.

Many (maybe all - I don't know?) states have manditory safety courses, but (speaking for MD) they don't really prepare you to drive or verify you've had adequate practice and developed the needed skills.

I believe efforts in boat safety would be better directed at making sure operators are knowledgeable in the first place.

I apologize if I sound unfeeling; I'm not. I just think that most accidents are probably due things I've mentioned and the prop guard solution is just way too impractical (with regard to performance) and will probably seldom aid in an accident like this anyway.

Accidents do happen unfortunately, but an accident like the one described would most times be avoided with responsible drivers and common sense.

As was stated earlier, if someone is nearby in the water, the engine is switched off (for example).

or arm chair?

Nautique2001 wrote: Is it easy to install an aftermarket kill-switch with the wrist lanyard? Are parts available for an aftermarket set-up? What's involved? Ken

Easy as pie. Just buy one like this and wire it like this:

boating 101 their never have the engine running with people around the boat in the water.

the season is come, have a visit to S.P.I.N.
http://www.spin-site.org/phyllis.htm
enjoy our self and let others safty!
if some people install prop.gard to their inboard?