Re: [Paddlewise] Canadian Coast Guard Regulations]

From: Richard Culpeper <culpeper_at_sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 14:08:11 -0400
John Winters wrote:
--snip--

> But aren't you assuming the regulations won't fit before they are written?

Yes, I am assuming that the regulations won't fit.  They never have fit in the
past, do not fit at the present, and there is no indication that they will in
the future.  Furthermore, waiting until they are written means risking being
stuck with bad regulations.  Specifically, I strongly oppose the insistence
upon Canadian approved pfds to the exclusion of superior non-Canadian approved
pfds.  I strongly oppose the closure of rivers to paddling for anything other
than ecological reasons.  I oppose the insistence upon heaving lines in ww
boats without first requiring instruction in their safe storage and use.  I
oppose the insistence upon ebuggerances such as bailing buckets for squirt
boats.  Note that all of these regulations already exist and are not being
repealed.

> If the regulations did fit, would you still oppose them?

No.  If the regulations did fit, then I would support them.  If the regulations
were simply neutral, then I would not oppose them.  I neither arbitrarily
oppose regulations, nor wish to have regulations for the sake of having
regulations.   I am very concerned that regulations are neither adequately
addressing what is by far the leading cause of death, alcohol, nor promoting
the most effective approach to safe paddling, instruction.

> It seems to me that one either should contribute to the process
> constructively and, failing that, complain bitterly if the regs are bad but
> support them if they are good. Opposing them out of hand sounds a trifle
> arbitrary.

My opposition is not arbitrary.  It is based on both being informed and having
contributed to the process for quite a few years.  I agree that constructive
participation is important.  I agree that jumping up and down prematurely is
not appropriate.

Richard Culpeper




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Received on Sun May 17 1998 - 12:47:06 PDT

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