I am not familiar with who owns what, but what is going on? Are these people wearing the proper equipment? Or, are these boats just going way to fast these days? Up until a few years ago, most accident didn't end in death.

Anybody have some input as to how to minimze these tragic events?

Actually from a compilation of accident claim this year according to information from boat US, this year as been one of the lowest casualty rate in boating in a while.

I've noticed that several of the vics in non-canopied offshores weren't wearing PFD's &/or were not tethered...

That's a start...

Divenstar

I was just thinking the other day we almost need a new category for these posts because it seemed like we had a new one every week to talk about.

You don't want to be "tethered" in an open cockpit boat.

I don't think anymore lives have been lost then in the past,it's just posted on OSO within 15 minutes. I think I have read that majority of people die falling off 18 ft boats drowning without life jackets and other non-sensational type of accidents,Smitty

And the majority of the are found with their fly open ...

Every holiday on Lake Lanier some dumbazz would fall in and drown. Then you hear that so-and-so couldn't swim.

Happened so often it became a non-story.

Our accidents happen and draw LOTS of attention. Plus, OSO aloows US to know quicker.

Ok, change of plans.

We're actually going to put this in the Safety Section, as well as most of the threads started regarding safety.

I think if there was a study to the number of boats vs. deaths the rate would be lower. Meaning I think many more people are getting into the sport then ever before. For instance you do not have to be a mechanic these days to run over 1000hp, where in the past constant tweeking weeded out the guys that weren't inclined.