Chris Sunkin

When sensitivity starts bringing people back from the dead, I'll be the first guy in line. Sometimes people have to be shocked into taking action. Many simply don't believe it could happen to them or don't even realize that a possibility exists and a solution that prevents it.

Life jackets? Do we even need to discuss the merits of wearing life jackets?

If a few more boaters install lanyards or start using the one's they have as a result of being confronted by the cold reality that it's dangerous and stupid to not have these crucial safety devices, then I'm perfectly willing to bear the burden of being the insensitive a$$hole that delivers the message.

pm203

I thought that was very harsh myself and out of character from Chris.

bouyhunter

Out of character??
A slap in the face reality check from Chris? I'm used to seeing that. It's hard to take sometimes, but it's pretty honest.
As far as the fellow boaters, at this point we can only hope for a recovery.
Unfortunately, that outcome looks unlikely at this point.

Chris Sunkin

Maybe I'm just feeling a little crusty this morning. Or maybe I'm growing weary at seeing someone else needlessly die in a sport that I'm pretty fond of. And I can't believe there's any shred of debate on the merits of using safety equipment, or that some (many) people still don't use it.

People talk about having sensitivity for those they left behind. I think the most insensitive thing a person can do is needlessly expose themselves to easily avoidable risks that ultimately lead to their demise. If their families are feeling pain today, I would submit to you that the majority of it comes from the fact that these people are gone. And, now they have to live with the thoughts that no one had to die and likely wouldn't have had there been proper use of safety equipment.

If you boat and don't wear vests and lanyards, or if you consume alcohol and operate your boat, think about these people's families this morning- then think about your own. Consider the pain and burden they'll bear if you're not there.

DollaBill

I have to say I agree. Boating is fun. Drinking and partying is fun. But the 2 are a deadly combination. Most of us do it, but the way to do it is to just idle back home. It's hard to get hurt at 5knts. If you are going to be that far away from home that you have to go fast to get home either don't drink or sleep on the boat 'til morning.

bob_t

One of my friends just told me that the boat was a 30' Scarab Panther sporting 1500hp.

Chris Sunkin

Found-
http://www.wcpo.com/mediacenter/loca...om&navCatId=23

Strip Poker 388

iTrader: (6)

Thats a shame,praying for there family's

blue thunder

The panther in that pic is almost identical to mine. Mine has stock kill switches. Never seen a panther without them. I've hooked hard in this boat and found jesus about wearing the lanyards.

For your sake Chris Sunkin I hope you didn't really mean what you said about not having sympathy for these dead powerboaters. That is just plain rotten. We have all errored and not been bit. I find those people who take the highest moral ground on topics are generally the biggest offenders and the least moral on the subject matter at hand..

Pesky Varmint

I miss the old days when somebody would invariably chime in with
something like: "I've been boating 25 years and a I've never seen
the need for a lanyard". What ever happened to these colorful
people?

Pesky Varmint