LOTO / Baja Accident

[Donman]

I actually think it`s kinda cool to wear my lanyard. I simply wrap it around my thigh and I forget it`s there. When my passengers see me do this, they know that I am a safety-minded driver.

[Donman]

Originally Posted by CigDaze

Chaulk up another one to no lanyard.....what's this about a half dozen this year alone?

I`ve read / heard about more "no lanyard" related accidents this season than any other.
Are there really more accidents or just more exposure ?

[CigDaze]

Originally Posted by sommerfliesby

Your point being.....?

Just ironic, that's all.

High performance boat accident + High performance boat flying along staking claims to "all the parties," = really bad publicity for performance boaters. Our demise will be our own doing, that's my point.

[glassdave]

Originally Posted by bcschoe

Training, education, and the human behavioral element. I just ran a trip engine boat and when I arrived they had no lanyards. The owner stated the dealer had told him he didn't really need them and therefore removed them from the console.

Manufacturers also need to think about the ergonomics and the human element as well. All too often the ignition interrupt switch is located hidden out of the way or in a place where wearing of the lanyard interferes with other vital operational systems. Steering for example.

We have also found new owners being told to put your tabs at four and forget about them. Why bother understanding how to leverage your boat properly for a comfortable safe boating experience. Why bother about water flow and hydrodynamics.

Why bother learning about safe speed because with all of these accidents government will impose speed limits and we can all take the big power out and start using bio diesel.

Speed was not the root cause of any of these incidents. They are caused by a sequence of events leading up to the actual incident.

Beginning with Training, education, terminal performance skill set application, with Performance, Condition, and Standards. Application of skill sets, acknowledgement of human behavioral standards, and finally the ability to maintain situational awareness.

However the legislators will simply conclude speed must be regulated to solve the problem.

Again I am very glad to hear noone was killed and wish the boat operator a healty recovery.

Please BESAFE.

Remember this is performane PLEASURE boating so lets not let anyone take it away.

very well put. you know i hadnt really thought about the ergonomics of placement of the switches. that alone is probably the leading cause of lack of use. on my 34 scarab they are mounted to the left and just below the steering wheel and aren't to easy to use (i got use to it though) i also have a 38 Donzi ZX that has them mounted on the side panel just below the shifters. Very easy to use and are not in the way of anything at all when in use. on that boat i normally put the tether around my wrist, would that be proper as apposed to cliping to a belt loop or something?

[dlgibson11]

Its so easy to wear these things. No they don't get in the way of steering. I have seen a few people thrown out of boats and luckily they didn't kill anybody. I have also seen a death because of a guy driving way too fast on the river and hit a log under the water and ejected him from the boat. C'mon people is wearing a lanyard really too much to ask. If you want to be unsafe and kill yourself thats up to you but don't endanger anybody else in the process!

[bouyhunter]

Originally Posted by CigDaze

High performance boat accident + High performance boat flying allong staking claims to "all the parties," = really bad publicity for performance boaters. Our demise will be our own doing, that's my point.

Nick, I agree it's an issue with HI-PO boats, but I really think this should apply to all boats.
Lanyards are cheap cut-out switches.
A boat is different than any other powered vehicle (aside from planes) that I can think of. Any other vehicle, you must constantly hold the "throttle" - not in a boat (or a plane), you set the throttle, bump it occaisnally, and you've got plenty else to do by steering, trimming the drives, trimming the tabs, and reading the terrain (wakes/waves).
Doesn't cost a whole lot to add a lanyard - sure costs a lot when you wind up in the drink, and your boat takes out another boat and dock - and let's not even think about how many accidents this year alone that have caused a death due to no lanyard.

The guy that lost his 8 yr old daughter a few weeks ago has to be going through a mental state that I would never wish on anyone. I couldn't imagine having to watch my boat circle, and then hit my daughter. I know it wasn't necessarily negligence on his part, but a lanyard would have made the difference.
It's simple and it's cheap.
I know I sound like a hypocrite, because I rarely wear a seatbelt in my truck - but that is only going to hurt me - not anybody else.
Maybe I need to work on that myself.

[bcschoe]

Originally Posted by glassdave

. on that boat i normally put the tether around my wrist, would that be proper as apposed to cliping to a belt loop or something?

Tres and I will always tell you to put it around your wrist. Here’s why. The all too common reason for not wearing the lanyards are the unintentional shutdowns. (I have done it) . Clipped into my life jacket and my water temps high so I raise the hatch and quickly jump to the back of the boat, now disabling my good engine.

Wearing a wrist bands enables the brain to register the lanyard is in place. Put the ignition interrupt switches below or near the throttles and the wrist band on the throttle hand away from the helm.

If you have to leave the helm area (of course DIW or CA) the brain registers and you remove the lanyard. Like trying to get out of a car with your seat belt in place.

This is also why we only recommend the use of an actual tethered lanyard. Until such time as a completely passive system is engineered the basic lanyard is the best thing to use.

Remember lanyards and most safety equipment is a response mechanism. Primary to everything is to work on prevention. Learn to drive so you don’t get thrown out of the boat. Learn to understand so the boat does not get upset and learn what to do if it does so you don’t go sideways.

If a diver pops up in front t of you or a PWC crosses your path, you can get out, you just have to learn how.

In about four weeks we will have our own wrist band available in a few different colors. Of course as soon as they arrive I post a new thread.

[handfulz28]

Originally Posted by bcschoe

In about four weeks we will have our own wrist band available in a few different colors. Of course as soon as they arrive I post a new thread.

I want to be at the top of the list for notification I keep "testing" my kill switches...at least I know they work

[Von Bongo]

Originally Posted by CigDaze

Just ironic, that's all.

High performance boat accident + High performance boat flying along staking claims to "all the parties," = really bad publicity for performance boaters. Our demise will be our own doing, that's my point.

And your tag is "it's 5 o'clock somewhere" and your signature line is "cheers"

Hello pot...this is the kettle...you're black

I'm sure you don't condone drinking and then boating but it could be implied, just like the the ad for MWBP.com

Still amazing that no one was hurt. Hopefully more and more people will wear lanyard. I forgot to put mine on at the start of a poker run and thanks to Griff for reminding me.

I clip it to the throttle or shifter when I take it off so I won't forget, know what with all the boat traffic and tight quarters leaving the dock...I forgot.

[bouyhunter]

Originally Posted by Von Bongo

And your tag is "it's 5 o'clock somewhere" and your signature line is "cheers"

Wow, that seems like a cheap shot.
Lighten up.
We all like to have a good time, we just need to choose to do it in the right time and place