Boating Under Hwy 123 Bridge

[straw hat]

Vest Sospenders on at all time. Only way to go. Even during summer I don't even notice it is on.

[Martin]

I think the throw cushion is a law for any boat over _______ft in length....Can't remember if it's 16, 17, or 18 feet long boat.....Throw cushion is easy for us. Somebody always has it on their seat... And yes, life jackets (PFD's) cannot be in a compartment, locked or not. We just deal wityh this as best we can. It doesn't mean we are perfect, but....not too bad....Kids ALWAYS wear life jackets in my boat.....And most of our adult PFD's are within grabbing distance, and I'm talking about warm water, summertime conditions. It is NOT that warm right now.

[Flysmallie]

When the big motor is running it is on. When it's not running the jacket is laying in the seat so I don't forget to put it on (like I ever would) when I move.

Unfortunately, I have lost a friend that was not wearing a life jacket. He was by himself and fell out of the boat. Could not get back in and was less that 50 yards from the bank. Plus he was a good swimmer. You can go all macho and say you are not going to wear it, but if you have it in the boat anyway, put the darn thing on. You never know what might happen.

[Ranger Dave]

Rule books says the following about life jackets and throw cushions:

For all boats, life jackets must be "available" on the boat but not in a locked or closed compartment. It doesn't matter if the engine is running or not.

For boats 17' and larger, a Type 4 life preserver (typically a throw cushion) must be "immediately" available. (I don't know why boat length has any thing to do with it; probably more people around here drown in 16' or smaller boats because they aren't suited for our lakes)

My in-laws thought about getting the inflatable type of life jacket since they are not as bulky and more comfortable to wear. However, they were scared off by the instruction manual which stated there was "no way to check and make sure the inflation system was operational". It said the CO2 cartridge could leak and you would not know it until you needed it and it wouldn't work. They probably aren't that bad but the manufacturer's put that in the instruction manual for liability reasons. I guess you could replace the CO2 cartridge yearly but you still wouldn't know for sure the system was operational.

[Gilly]

My kids are more than willing to test our inflatable pfd's.......yupper, you got that right. The proof is in the inflation! I recharge every 2 seasons regardless. Never had one not inflate but there is that possibility, pretty low % I would think....hope.

There are visual tests you can do on the cylinder too.

[Fireflies]

Liberty; the condition in which human beings are able to govern themselves and behave according to their own free will, and take responsibility for their actions.

Coercion; the practice of forcing another to behave in an involuntary manner by use of threats, rewards, or intimidation or some other form of pressure or force.

Like many of you out there I’ve spent most of my life in the military. I’ve been overseas to wars and will for the rest of my life defend every Americans right to their Liberty.

Thank you Ranger Dave for your report on not being able to travel up river under the 123 bridge, I fish this area all the time.

[Gilly]

Common sense-

Plain ordinary good judgement; sound practical sense.

Self-preservation-

Preservation of oneself from danger or injury.

.....and thank you for your service.

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