Re: [Paddlewise] Victoria fatality and accidents in general

From: <Rcgibbert_at_aol.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 21:32:58 EDT
In a message dated 4/16/2002 5:41:21 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
SCANSPORT_at_CONNRIVER.NET writes:


> I know that my suggestion would add a level of regulation that we do not 
> like very much, but such rules are in place and seem to work well for other 
> 
> craft. Why should paddle craft be exempt? One could make the argument that 
> adding built-in flotation would add a lot of cost for the manufacturers and 
> 
> in turn make boats more expensive. But we would save the cost of adding 
> flotation after purchasing the boat - and would not the added safety be 
> worth some expense?
> 
> Alv Elvestad
> Pakboats
> 

So, if my kayak is filled with drybags and camping gear and no *government 
approved* float bags am I going to get a ticket from whichever 51 agencies 
that could conceivably give me a ticket? (By the way, who exactly is going to 
do the regulatin'?) Or is the *law* going to be written so as to include dry 
bags? I can just see it now: *sorry sir, tell the judge that. Bags with dirty 
laundry aren't on my list as class 3 flotation bags.* How about SOF, plywood 
and strip builders? 

Ultimately, the noble quest for safety has to be enforced by somebody. As 
sympathetic as I am to the injured and the families and friends of the 
deceased I also sympathize with those who are saddled by the *regulation 
reaction* to every tragedy.

Dos Centavos,
Rob G 

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Received on Tue Apr 16 2002 - 18:33:26 PDT

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