LOTO / Baja Accident

[fountain4play]

This is the second time in the span of two days where someone was tossed out without their safety lanyard on... Here's one from the day before when a fisherman fell out during a turn when his seat brackets broke... it 's not something that happens just at high speed and can have the same consequences...

http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/news/NRDe...2&ID=N07070115

[glassdave]

Originally Posted by bcschoe

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.

thanks for the info. i also use a wrist lanyard when running the batboats and come to think about it i have a better sense of security because i always am aware that i have it on. when im in my scarab i am aware that they are not on my wrist and get the feeling like i get when i dont have my seatbelt on in the car. i kill the engines far more in the scarab by pulling the lanyards out than i do in the donzi. i have not yet had the pleasure of taking your course but i am very impressed at the level you take the sport to. great info, lets be safe out there.

[cuda]

I don't like it on my wrist. When I run the Formula, I clip them to a loop on my shorts. When I run the Donzi, it's down low, so I loop it around my ankle. Sure, I've inadvertantly shut of the engine a couple times, but I've never shut off someone's life for not wearing one. I've been known to shuck the lifejacket in long idle zones, but not the lanyard. Even at idle, I can't outswim the boat.

[Mentalpause]

Originally Posted by omerta one

Runaway Baja ejects passengers, smashes into dock


By LakeExpo.com Staff
Monday, July 23, 2007 12:11 AM CDT



Four boaters were ejected from this 2005 Baja at the 14MM before it traveled a quarter mile and crashed into a Celebrity Cruiser Saturday evening at around 8:30 p.m.
(Photo courtesy Missouri Water Patrol)
LAKE OF THE OZARKS (14MM) - A Baja hit a wake ejecting everyone aboard and causing serious injuries Saturday evening. The boat continued with no one at the helm for a quarter mile before it veered right, hit a rock reef, changed direction, crashed into the walkway of a community dock and landed in a Celebrity Cruiser. The impact of the collision detached the dock and spun it 180 degrees.

"I'm surprised we're not looking for someone in the main channel today," District II Commander Capt. Matt Walz said Sunday. "We're also lucky no one was on the dock when the boat hit it. It was a destructive collision."

William Schumacher of De Pere, Wis., was one of four boaters ejected from the Baja. He sustained a compound fracture to his right leg and was rushed to Lake Regional Hospital for emergency surgery. Amber Schumacher reportedly had a compression fracture to her spine. Two other passengers, Gregg and Allison Schumacher of Green Bay, Wis., escaped the incident without injury, according to the Water Patrol report.

William Schumacher was allegedly operating the 2005 Baja at a rate of speed not conducive to evening conditions when the accident occurred, according to Walz.

http://lakeexpo.com/articles/2007/07...ke_news/07.txt
+

Did they hit that small community dock at the end of your cove?

[MZEZ]

Originally Posted by tonypo8

I just want to give an honest reply that might help some people. This weekend I did the Chicago Poker Run and wore my lanyard for the first time. It is a must I could not even tell that it was on. For anyone out there that thinks its uncool or not harda## to wear one get over your selves. These stupid accidents have to stop.

Ya know I've always thought the cool part was actually being smart enough to care about the safety of others! Real men (and women) know they should walk the fine line between scared sh()&*less and awestruck at the power under the hatches!!

Thanks to everyone who cares!!! (and wears their lanyard)

[txwatergypsy]

I am definately sold on wearing the lanyards. As an inexperienced rough water boater, what should i do when crossing the big wakes? is there a basic technique? or a recommended speed? should i try to land it flat or azz first? Im guessing it will come with experience, just wondering if you all might have any tips. Thanks

[Gizmo]

Lanyards have been the hot topic since early spring. I agree with Brian, Brad and the others, that it only takes a few seconds to attach your lanyards to you. Wear them....
I have had some folks snicker when they saw me with mine on, but after all the accidents that have happened in the past few years, I have come to realize that safety CANNOT be taken for granted. This is a dangerous hobby we enjoy and only we can keep it safe. I wear mine every time the boat in gear. I have also started wearing a life jacket most of the time. especially if I think there will be the chance of pushing the throttles. Just my .02 worth.....

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Von Bongo

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 really just heard the metal clips banging a lot on the gel coat under the dash. I had also seen you wearing them most of the day, so I figured you wanted them.

I can tell you that until recently, I used to rarely wear my lanyard due to its location on the Pantera. That has changed though and I now wear it almost all the time. Even my 6 year old reminds me, if I forget to put it on.

[Donman]

Originally Posted by bouyhunter

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.

She died from a head injury as she was thrown from boat. The boat did not hit anyone.

[Donman]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

I have had some folks snicker when they saw me with mine on

Why would someone snicker at you for being safe ? Lot of idiots out there . . .