Nanny State
- Thread starter johndove
- Start date
alt
Well-Known Member
In Ireland the rules are:
ON A BOAT UNDER 7M LOA:
All people on-board must wear lifejackets, regardless of age
OB A BOAT GREATER THAN 7M LOA:
Lifejackets must be available for all persons on-board to wear at their choice, but all people under 16 must wear lifejackets regardless
Personally, law or not, I don't leave the pontoon without mine on - Not being a nanny, just force of habit... don't see why people don't wear lifejackets, they're only going to help you should the worst happen
ON A BOAT UNDER 7M LOA:
All people on-board must wear lifejackets, regardless of age
OB A BOAT GREATER THAN 7M LOA:
Lifejackets must be available for all persons on-board to wear at their choice, but all people under 16 must wear lifejackets regardless
Personally, law or not, I don't leave the pontoon without mine on - Not being a nanny, just force of habit... don't see why people don't wear lifejackets, they're only going to help you should the worst happen
jfm
Well-Known Member
I voted "up to us" and am glad to see majority agree. The question of whether wearing (as opposed to having available) an LJ gives enough saftely benefit to outweigh the downsides depends very much on local conditions. In cold waters, bad weather, night passages, etc, of course wearing one makes sense. In a warm Med afternoon when you're deliberately jumping into the water for fun, wearing one doesn't add much safety. That's all so obvious it isn't even worth debating.
Comparing with car seatbelts doesn't make much sense.
On the NZ thing, remember the boat population is VERY heavily skewed to smaller boats (as in, 6m traileralbe tinnies with outboards), and the sea is not cold but neither is it anything like the Med, say, so there is stronger case for encouraging general LJ wearing.
It would be interesting to see what counts as a LJ for the purposes of the proposed NZ law. If it has to be a £100 style upmarket job, serviced annually or whatever, there will be much widespread objection on cost grounds from a large number of NZ boaters, and will be v hard to enforce. Or perhaps the plan is that a £15 buoynacy aid (as we call 'em) is sufficient
Comparing with car seatbelts doesn't make much sense.
On the NZ thing, remember the boat population is VERY heavily skewed to smaller boats (as in, 6m traileralbe tinnies with outboards), and the sea is not cold but neither is it anything like the Med, say, so there is stronger case for encouraging general LJ wearing.
It would be interesting to see what counts as a LJ for the purposes of the proposed NZ law. If it has to be a £100 style upmarket job, serviced annually or whatever, there will be much widespread objection on cost grounds from a large number of NZ boaters, and will be v hard to enforce. Or perhaps the plan is that a £15 buoynacy aid (as we call 'em) is sufficient
jhr
Well-Known Member
I suspect the £15 buoyancy aid will be the preferred option. There will probably be some definition of "lifejacket" that will specify positive buoyancy of x Newtons and adherence to an ISO for fabric quality, without going into the question of design or purpose too much. This will apply both to rowing boats on your local lake and to small fishing boats going offshore, alike.
I'm with alt: I don't think it should be a matter of compulsion, but I put my lifejacket on before I get into the dinghy to go out to the boat, and it stays on at all times when I'm above decks. In fact, I'm much more conscientious now than when I was a kid, mucking about on the Hamble in my dad's dinghy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
I'm with alt: I don't think it should be a matter of compulsion, but I put my lifejacket on before I get into the dinghy to go out to the boat, and it stays on at all times when I'm above decks. In fact, I'm much more conscientious now than when I was a kid, mucking about on the Hamble in my dad's dinghy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Wiggo
Well-Known Member
I think 'should be available but worn at discretion' would be my preferred choice. I always wear mine in the tender, when moving around the decks underway (i.e. doing fenders and warps) and at night, but the rest of the time it's usually just close to hand.
planteater
Well-Known Member
I wear mine mostly out of laziness. I put it on for the trip out in the tender and can't be bothered to take it off.
epervier
Well-Known Member
I'm at a boat club where the rule is LJ's to be worn on the pontoon and on the slipway, once on board however, do as you like, but I think this is a condition of the insurance cover at the club, not some over zealous power crazed nut.
but my vote still goes to, "up to individuals"
but my vote still goes to, "up to individuals"
DownWest
Well-Known Member
I am very much in the `up to you´section. But putting one on in adverse circumstances might be V difficult. Just after tripping overboard it is not much use in the locker. I personally found out that blowing one up in choppy conditions is extremly difficult. So now have manual gas. The dinghy seems to be a high risk area, re. recent fatalities.
We sail because it stretches our skills and therefore our enjoyment. Best to keep well informed and make our own decisions.
I tend to the Blondie Hasler ethic. And he died in his bed.
Andrew
We sail because it stretches our skills and therefore our enjoyment. Best to keep well informed and make our own decisions.
I tend to the Blondie Hasler ethic. And he died in his bed.
Andrew
strakeryrius
Well-Known Member
I have a simple rule when on board, and explain as part of the safety briefing when new-to-boats guests are aboard.
All the time we are at anchor/moored up or on the pontoon, it is up to the individual to wear one or not.
In the dinghy, or aboard while underway I require everyone to wear one when on the fore or side decks or the bathing platform. If seated in the cockpit its up to the individual.
I get people to try on both a life-jacket and a buoyancy aid during my briefing and give them the choice of what they would prefer to wear.
I find this works very well, and everyone knows what is expected of them.
All the time we are at anchor/moored up or on the pontoon, it is up to the individual to wear one or not.
In the dinghy, or aboard while underway I require everyone to wear one when on the fore or side decks or the bathing platform. If seated in the cockpit its up to the individual.
I get people to try on both a life-jacket and a buoyancy aid during my briefing and give them the choice of what they would prefer to wear.
I find this works very well, and everyone knows what is expected of them.
