Rules on lifejacket wearing

[Siochair]

I have just read an interesting thread on the ybw forum. The basics of it was a planned offshore cruise to an island for lunch was changed to a bit of an amble along the coast because one of the passengers refused to wear a life-jacket. What would you do in these circumstances? Personally I would find an alternate use for the paddles that all good ribs carry by lashing them together to form a makeshift plank and let the prat walk home.

[Nos4r2]

Got a link to the thread?

[chris123]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Got a link to the thread?

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.p...0/fpart/1/vc/1

Cheers,

Chris

[C2 RIBS]

Interesting! I would not have gone up Southampton Water, would not have left the dock side if someone would not wear a lifejacket, but then again my public liabilty insurance insists lifejackets are worn by everyone whilst on the boat but if I am right the MCA rules state that I must carry enough lifejackets for all on board and 10% more in numbers in case of one failure(think these are the rules) does not state have to be worn
If on a private boat there are no rules just recommendations to my knowledge. They were lucky to go out at all due to one fool especially as viz was down and fog horns being used by other craft

[Nos4r2]

Given that the guy who started the YBW thread's profile says he owns one of these:-


then I wouldn't have gone anywhere either unless the guy who wouldn't wear a lifejacket was confined to the cabin. It's unlikely you'd survive hitting the water from a flybridge at 20 knots+.

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

It's unlikely you'd survive hitting the water from a flybridge at 20 knots+.

I'm not sure I agree - but if it were the case are you not then just a dead guy with a life jacket on?

However with poor vis, in the evening in march - I would expect everyone was inside? And that makes a discussion here where most people have open boats a little different. That is not to say that I believe he was wrong to insist on life jackets.

I don't understand the purpose of the YBW thread? Was he the skipper?... its written in the 3rd person as though he was just another "passenger". Actually, IMHO, his error was not how he acted the other night, but how he acted on all the previous trips which has now created an expectation that this person could "opt out" of wearing a l/j if they wished. Its much harder to insist someone wears a l/j on your boat today when last week, and every other week it was OK.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Polwart

I'm not sure I agree - but if it were the case are you not then just a dead guy with a life jacket on?

However with poor vis, in the evening in march - I would expect everyone was inside? And that makes a discussion here where most people have open boats a little different. That is not to say that I believe he was wrong to insist on life jackets.

I don't understand the purpose of the YBW thread? Was he the skipper?... its written in the 3rd person as though he was just another "passenger". Actually, IMHO, his error was not how he acted the other night, but how he acted on all the previous trips which has now created an expectation that this person could "opt out" of wearing a l/j if they wished. Its much harder to insist someone wears a l/j on your boat today when last week, and every other week it was OK.

Sorry-me being unclear again-should have said It's unlikely you'd survive hitting the water from a flybridge at 20 knots+ without a lifejacket on. Dazed, disorientated , cold and without a lifejacket isn't a good recipe for survival.

[Siochair]

Sorry I forgot to add the link - thanks Chris.

There were comments about the skipper being part liable if anything was to happen to the passenger who refused to wear a pfd. Does anyone know if this is true? I know that in an open boat I would not consider taking someone on board who was so intransigent if, for no other reason, what else would they be a pain about?

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Sorry-me being unclear again-should have said It's unlikely you'd survive hitting the water from a flybridge at 20 knots+ without a lifejacket on. Dazed, disorientated , cold and without a lifejacket isn't a good recipe for survival.

I think thats a bit over the top; whilst its not an ideal situation to be in I don't think you'd die!

I personally think its all down to the situation you find your self in. I often go out on the water without a life jacket on. I have a dinghy I use to get around the harbour; I rarely wear one in this. Likewise the majority of people I know rarely wear life jackets on yachts unless the weather gets nasty. I know of a motor cruiser charter company that operate on the South Coast that doesn't make its punters wear life jackets whilst the boat is moving. I can see the argument for a "zero tolerance" on life jackets and I totally understand you have a responsibility to be responsible, but at the same time I think there is room for flexibility, in the same way as drink-boating. All depends on the circumstances.

[Andy Moore]

The wearing of a lifejacket should be left up to the individual. But the skipper should ensure a suitable lifejacket is provided for each person.

Andy