When not to wear a lifejacket?

[petem]

He was mooring with the tide behind him, and it was also pushing him off the pontoon. Hence, I wanted the stern line first. But by being passed the brest line, the stern was forced out by the tide and the bow was forced into and hard against the pontoon. Has this explained it better?

Piers

Kind of. But if he moored on the other side of the pontoon and had the tide pushing the boat onto the pontoon (which I think you suggested would have been your preference) wouldn't that have been riskier for the MOB (i.e. potential for becoming trapped between the boat and pontoon)?

Instinctively I've always felt it safe to moor with the tide pushing me off the pontoon.

 

[Piers]

Kind of. But if he moored on the other side of the pontoon and had the tide pushing the boat onto the pontoon (which I think you suggested would have been your preference) wouldn't that have been riskier for the MOB (i.e. potential for becoming trapped between the boat and pontoon)?

Instinctively I've always felt it safe to moor with the tide pushing me off the pontoon.

If he'd have passed me the stern warp in the first place, there'd have been no probs. If he'd have been able to moor on the other side (we were there so he couldn't) there'd have been no panic, no running around on deck and potentially no MOB.

 

[Robin]

There are really three basic categories of jackets/PFD's as far as the Coast Guard is concerned,
Type I are for offshore environments and heavy seas. These jackets will turn you face up if you're unconscious, but are very bulky and not suited for any activity that requires lots of movement.

Type II jackets are slightly less bulky and can usually turn an unconscious person face up, but not always. They generally are less comfortable than a vest and so are not very well suited to sports activities.

Type III jackets are called "floatation aids" and are what you often see people using when water skiing, wakeboarding and doing other water sports. These vests are more comfortable than the first two types, and so I'll focus on this type.
Within the Type III category there were really three main options that I looked into. First there are what I refer to as the "recreational vests". These are generally very inexpensive and are popular with boaters and fishermen. They use a lighter foam compound which makes them very light, but due to their "blocky" construction they can be somewhat uncomfortable.

Here is an example of an inflatable life jacket, they can only be inflated automatically once per "charge". There is a compressed air cartridge that is included with the vest, but must be replaced if you inflate the vest. They also have a tube that allows you to manually inflate the vest if the vest won't fully inflate or needs additional air. Notice the signal whistle attached to the life jacket pouch, another Coast Guard regulation.
View attachment 48128

Ah the gospel according to the US coastguard! not disagreeing but despite the wishes of all US agencies for world domination, their jurisdiction ends somewhat closer to US dirt. There is a whole world outside that area which does not necessarily think the same hence poster sampeeter may be seeing some unexpected responses from where more open minds are congregated.

 

[Elessar]

Don't wear your life jacket when you're going to sleep........:disgust:
Boaters enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So it’s tempting to boat without wearing a life jacket – especially on nice days. But modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Many are thin and flexible. Some are built right into fishing vests or hunter coats. Others are inflatable — as compact as a scarf or fanny pack until they hit water, when they automatically fill with air.

oh not when you're sleeping. But you said you ALWAYS wear it on the boat. But you don't.
Nor do I, nor will I.

BTW inflatable LJ's have been around for years, everyone here knows that I'm sure, didn't need your patronising speech. I have 16 on board. All regularly tested and certified. They are worn infrequently, but that's my business.

 

[Cheery]

And thereby reinforcing the view we have over here (rightly or wrongly) that most Americans are afraid of their own shadows. If the terrorists don't get you, Ebola will, or a MOB or...

 

[Elessar]

An interesting thread, both for and against.

To add grist to the mill, here's an MOB incident that happened to us and which underlined the necessity to us of wearing an LJ. The incident involved a reasonably large yacht in calm and sunny conditions.

http://www.playdeau.com/man-overboard/

Piers and Lin
Play d'eau
Fleming 55

disagree with "necessity" Piers. A friend of mine fell down the stairs in her house and needed 16 stitches. That doesn't mean she'll wear a helmet round the house in future.

And she is more likely to fall down the stairs than someone is to fall off your boat in good conditions.

 

[DougH]

There are really three basic categories of jackets/PFD's as far as the Coast Guard is concerned,
Type I are for offshore environments and heavy seas. These jackets will turn you face up if you're unconscious, but are very bulky and not suited for any activity that requires lots of movement.

Type II jackets are slightly less bulky and can usually turn an unconscious person face up, but not always. They generally are less comfortable than a vest and so are not very well suited to sports activities.

Type III jackets are called "floatation aids" and are what you often see people using when water skiing, wakeboarding and doing other water sports. These vests are more comfortable than the first two types, and so I'll focus on this type.
Within the Type III category there were really three main options that I looked into. First there are what I refer to as the "recreational vests". These are generally very inexpensive and are popular with boaters and fishermen. They use a lighter foam compound which makes them very light, but due to their "blocky" construction they can be somewhat uncomfortable.

Here is an example of an inflatable life jacket, they can only be inflated automatically once per "charge". There is a compressed air cartridge that is included with the vest, but must be replaced if you inflate the vest. They also have a tube that allows you to manually inflate the vest if the vest won't fully inflate or needs additional air. Notice the signal whistle attached to the life jacket pouch, another Coast Guard regulation.
View attachment 48128

Did you take this info from a 1920s boating manual?

Take a good look at the web sites for Ocean Safety or Crewsaver (both UK companies) and see what first class modern products are that are light years ahead of those you list.

Not all things from the USA are the panacea for the rest of the world.

 

[Robin]

oh not when you're sleeping. But you said you ALWAYS wear it on the boat. But you don't.
Nor do I, nor will I.

BTW inflatable LJ's have been around for years, everyone here knows that I'm sure, didn't need your patronising speech. I have 16 on board. All regularly tested and certified. They are worn infrequently, but that's my business.

USCG apparently are deeply suspicious of inflatable PFDs and until very recently would not allow them to be included as part of the required on board inventory of safety gear 'UNLESS WORN' by the use, they could not be counted if hung in the locker. The fear was that the operating mechanism would fail as it was out of date, previously used, etc etc. Now they have new ones with visual indicators to show they are 'armed' and this type is accepted. if the PFD is not stamped 'USCG APPROVED' it is not acceptable either so topline European and Canadian ones are no good, including my Hydrostatic top of the range Crewsaver 275Newton one with a built in harness. PFDs with built in harnesses are also now accepted but not with the tether line attached as you might get trapped by them and be unable to free yourself. THERE is the really stupid situation whereby CE approved Crewsaver, Spinlock and Canadian MUstang PFDs are openly advertised and sold by West Marine USA but they are not USCG approved and therefore cannot be used! THe reason they are sold apparently is for people who might be going to Europe to work or on superyachts there where such SOLAS approved PFDs are required, OR for boats that might want to partake in ORC races like the Fastnet.

IMO you cannot 'buy' safety nor can you right a rulebook that defines it without creating some nonsensical anomalies. Education education Education, (voluntary not compulsory and not blind certification ) is surely a far better way to go.

 

[Bandit]

There are really three basic categories of jackets/PFD's as far as the Coast Guard is concerned,
Type I are for offshore environments and heavy seas. These jackets will turn you face up if you're unconscious, but are very bulky and not suited for any activity that requires lots of movement.

Type II jackets are slightly less bulky and can usually turn an unconscious person face up, but not always. They generally are less comfortable than a vest and so are not very well suited to sports activities.

Type III jackets are called "floatation aids" and are what you often see people using when water skiing, wakeboarding and doing other water sports. These vests are more comfortable than the first two types, and so I'll focus on this type.
Within the Type III category there were really three main options that I looked into. First there are what I refer to as the "recreational vests". These are generally very inexpensive and are popular with boaters and fishermen. They use a lighter foam compound which makes them very light, but due to their "blocky" construction they can be somewhat uncomfortable.

Here is an example of an inflatable life jacket, they can only be inflated automatically once per "charge". There is a compressed air cartridge that is included with the vest, but must be replaced if you inflate the vest. They also have a tube that allows you to manually inflate the vest if the vest won't fully inflate or needs additional air. Notice the signal whistle attached to the life jacket pouch, another Coast Guard regulation.
View attachment 48128

I assume that the lifejacket shown by sampeeter is what is colloquially known in the USA as a " Fanny Pack", If you fell in and banged your head or injured yourself it would be about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

My preference is the Crewsaver hydrostatic release, which we wear when I feel we need to.

 

[Robin]

I assume that the lifejacket shown by sampeeter is what is colloquially known in the USA as a " Fanny Pack", If you fell in and banged your head or injured yourself it would be about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

My preference is the Crewsaver hydrostatic release, which we wear when I feel we need to.

Mine too but My Crewsaver hydrostatic 275 Newton is over date and I cannot get a re-arm kit here nor shipped here. SWMBO has the 150 Newton version and we re-armed hers here wth a Canadian Mustang re-arm kit, but they do not offer the larger version. I have now bought a USCG approved West Marine hydrostatic PFD with a built in harness that I can attach my existing double ended Gibb elasticated tether to, the new West one has a hydrostatic operating mechanism with the now USCG approved visual indicator so I can keep it in a locker if I don't feel like using it 24/7 This new one is made for West Marine by Mustang in Canada.

 

[Uricanejack]

Never seen anyone wearing one on the Corran Ferry.

The crew on my local ferry wear life jackets when putting lines on when the ship docks. Health and safety reg's.

Depends where you are and what you are doing rather than sise of boat.

 

[Uricanejack]

So you'd wear one on a cruise ship?

If it had an Italian Capt.

 

[Cheery]

Given the USCGs enforcement of the rules, how would you go on sailing from BVI to USVI or Puerto Rico?

 

[Robin]

Given the USCGs enforcement of the rules, how would you go on sailing from BVI to USVI or Puerto Rico?

1) Are you on a US registered vessel or British or ANO?
2) Are you drug running?
3) Are you a redneck?

 

[petem]

Don't wear your life jacket when you're going to sleep........:disgust:
Boaters enjoy the feel of sun and spray. So it’s tempting to boat without wearing a life jacket – especially on nice days. But modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Many are thin and flexible. Some are built right into fishing vests or hunter coats. Others are inflatable — as compact as a scarf or fanny pack until they hit water, when they automatically fill with air.

When i am not on the boat is the time to not wear a life jacket. It doesn't matter what the boat size is. It's related to our safety and i always wear wneh i am on the boat.

I think both these posts are either auto generated spam (you can find the same text on the web) or a human has cut and pasted them. Probably in an attempt to get some credibility to the User accounts so that they can spam with ads later.

 

[Robin]

I think both these posts are either auto generated spam (you can find the same text on the web) or a human has cut and pasted them. Probably in an attempt to get some credibility to the User accounts so that they can spam with ads later.

Oh sh!t I hope I didn't add to their credibility by rising to the bait! :disgust:

 

[Cheery]

I think both these posts are either auto generated spam (you can find the same text on the web) or a human has cut and pasted them. Probably in an attempt to get some credibility to the User accounts so that they can spam with ads later.

Strange post here.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...e-UK-for-a-winter-refit&p=5098356#post5098356

 

[Uricanejack]

Given the USCGs enforcement of the rules, how would you go on sailing from BVI to USVI or Puerto Rico?

US rules apply to US boats.
As long as you comply with your flag state rules you are ok.

 

[Searush]

US rules apply to US boats.
As long as you comply with your flag state rules you are ok.

That's the theory anyway. Sometimes the local authorities don't believe in it though.

 

[sideslyder35063]

I always wear mine and it doesn’t come off until I’m back on land. Also because I’ve been on a boat that capsized and i wouldn’t be alive if i had it stowed.