Scup

Randy,

I understand that you were coast guard, but try to think about what you had just said. Almost all small craft, when disabled, turn broadside to the wind. That is an extremely dangerous attitude for a small boat to be in, for which I sure you are well aware of. There are a few exceptions (I own one of them) but it is for the individual boat owner to know the characteristics of his craft, not the coast guard. How in the world is the coast guard going to know what would be the safest thing for me to do in foul weather when they do not have a clue as to my experience, what I intend to do with my boat, or the character of my craft. For me, and it is my decision, and should be only my decision that it is mandatory that I carry a sea anchor aboard my craft. I really do not care about whether or not the coast guard carries an eraser or not, I will put whatever safety gear on my craft that I deem necessary. I will appease the coast guard and carry what they want, but when when laws are passed that can jeopardize the safety of my boat and the personnel in it, then someone has to speak out. It would make far more sense to everyone if those who pass safety laws, would at least have the common sense to consult with naval architects before putting their pencil to paper. I am old, and getting very grumpy, and have had it when others pass laws, because as you have explained, idiots have gotten themselves into trouble. In passing regulations in trying to protect idiots from themselves, a terrible price now trickles down to the rest of us.
I did need the services of the coast guard once. My idiot son took off from Stonington without me knowing about it, in a 14 foot rowboat by himself, and did not return by dark. There was an extensive air/sea search that night, and the coast guard performed admirably. While my son had made it back to Stonington under his own oar power that evening, the Coast Guard busted their ass in doing what they do best. For that, I will always be grateful to them. That same evening, less than 1/2 mile from where they were searching for my son, another young man was involved in an unrelated boating accident and lost his life. The unfortunate young man died because he had done a very dumb thing, but so had my son. It could have very well been my son in the stokes basket that evening. I was pissed about the cushion because I had no less than four type IV flotation devices in my boat and in clear view at the time I was checked. Only one had a thin film of plastic on it and that was the one they had chosen. They had started it; they knew it, I lost my temper, and we both ended up acting like idiots. For what it is worth, I spent many a day at sea assisting the coast guard in at-sea evaluations of sonar gear. I do not have a problem in working with them and in general, they are a great bunch of officers and men. However, you know as well as I do, there are a few exceptions even in this service that simply do not measure up to what one would expect. Remember, this thread got started because Halfpoint thought a dumb and imposing law concerning life vests might be imposed on us. Apparently, he was wrong this time, however, there are many that would not be surprised if such nonsense would be passed. It becomes far easier to forget how much good an organization does and to only remember the foolish actions of a few.

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"Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go" by William Feather