Propeller Incident

[Mr.X]

Why did it go out of control?
Didn't the driver have the dead man switch attached to himself?
Pulling on that would have stopped it dead.

No Tonio. The driver did not have the dead man's switch attached. There was beer on board the RIB + he was "borrowing" it from some irresponsible boat owner on Catalina Island. Dr. Bill's observations about Catalina boating are sadly - dead on.

The operators were middle-aged losers who should have known better. They exercised very, very poor judgement and injured and emotionally traumatized others. We called the authorities and that was the last I saw of them. Personally, I felt like kicking them in azz. Again, having seen poor seamanship all over the place I am ever so wary of anything spinning in the water.

X

 

[fisherdvm]

The sad part is, only 39 out of 50 states has some kind of law requiring boating safety course. Even of those 39, half require the course only of minors who are operating a motor boat.

Therefore, when you are out diving, there is a very good chance that who ever is operating that motor boat above you have no idea what a dive flag means, and they actually might be wanted to get closer to see what you are doing!!

 

[fisherdvm]

Laws concerning boat safety, whether you need boating safety.

Alabama
http://www.dcnr.state.al.us
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law requiring that some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft obtain a boating license. See the state's website for specific boat license and boat safety course requirements. Also, read Alabama: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Alaska
http://www.alaskaboatingsafety.org
No mandatory boat or water safety course educational requirements.

Arizona
http://www.azgfd.com
No mandatory boating safety course educational requirements. Read Arizona: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Arkansas
http://www.agfc.state.ar.us
Yes, state has mandatory boating safety education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course regulation. Also, read Arkansas: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

California
http://www.dbw.ca.gov
No mandatory boating safety course educational requirements. Read California: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Colorado
http://parks.state.co.us/boating
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating regulation and safety class regulation. Also, read Colorado: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Connecticut
http://dep.state.ct.us
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific safe boating course requirements. Also, read Connecticut: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Delaware
http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/dnrec2000
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boat safety course requirements. Also, read Delaware: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Florida
http://www.myfwc.com
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety class regulation. Also, read Florida: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Georgia
http://www.gadnr.org
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating course requirements. Also, read Georgia: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Hawaii
http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dbor/dbor.htm
No mandatory boat or water safety course educational requirements.

Idaho
http://www.idahoparks.org
No mandatory boater safety class educational requirements. However, state has boating law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific information. Also, read Idaho: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Illinois
http://dnr.state.il.us
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course regulation. Also, read Illinois: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Indiana
http://www.state.in.us/dnr
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boat safety class requirements. Also, read Indiana: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Iowa
http://www.iowadnr.com
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boat safety course regulation. Also, read Iowa: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Kansas
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course requirements. Also, read Kansas: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Kentucky
http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boat safety course regulation. Also, read Kentucky: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Louisiana
http://www.wlf.state.la.us
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety course requirements. Also, read Louisiana: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Maine
Maine (Inland) http://www.mefishwildlife.com
Maine (Marine) http://www.maine.gov/dmr
No mandatory boating or water safety course educational requirements.

Maryland
http://www.dnr.state.md.us
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course regulation. Also, read Maryland: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Massachusetts
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boat safety class requirements. Also, read Massachusetts: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Michigan
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety course requirements. Also, read Michigan: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Minnesota
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course regulation. Also, read Minnesota: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Mississippi
http://www.mdwfp.com
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boat safety class requirements. Also, read Mississippi: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Missouri
http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety course regulation. Also, read Missouri: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Montana
http://www.fwp.state.mt.us
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course requirements.

Nebraska
http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/boating
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course requirements. Also, read Nebraska: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Nevada
http://www.ndow.org
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety class regulation. Also, read Nevada: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

New Hampshire
http://www.state.nh.us
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course requirements. Also, read New Hampshire: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

 

[fisherdvm]

Continued:


New Jersey
http://www.state.nj.us
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boat safety course regulation. Also, read New Jersey: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

New Mexico
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/nmparks
No mandatory boating safety educational requirements.

New York
http://www.nysparks.com/boats
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety course requirements. Also, read New York: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

North Carolina
http://www.ncwildlife.org
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course requirements. Also, read North Carolina: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

North Dakota
http://www.state.nd.us/gnf
No mandatory boating safety course educational requirements.

Ohio
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boat safety course regulation. Also, read Ohio: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Oklahoma
http://www.dps.state.ok.us/ohp/aboutlp.htm
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety course requirements. Also, read Oklahoma: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Oregon
http://www.boatoregon.com
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course requirements. Also, read Oregon: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Pennsylvania
http://www.fish.state.pa.us
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boat safety class regulation. Also, read Pennsylvania: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Rhode Island
http://www.state.ri.us/dem
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety course requirements. Also, read Rhode Island: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

South Carolina
http://www.dnr.state.sc.us
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety course requirements. Also, read South Carolina: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

South Dakota
http://www.sdgfp.info/Index.htm
No mandatory boating safety class educational requirements.

Tennessee
http://www.state.tn.us/twra
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boat safety course regulation. Also, read Tennessee: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Texas
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety course requirements. Also, read Texas: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Utah
http://www.stateparks.utah.gov
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course requirements. Also, read Utah: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Vermont
http://www.dps.state.vt.us
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boating safety course regulation. Also, read Vermont: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Virginia
http://www.dgif.state.va.us
Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific safe boating course requirements. Also, read Virginia: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Washington
http://www.parks.wa.gov
No mandatory boater safety class educational requirements. However, state has boating law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific information. Also, read Washington: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

West Virginia
http://www.wvdnr.gov
Yes, state has mandatory boat education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific safe boater class regulation.

Wisconsin
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/enforcement/safety/boatsaf.htm
Yes, state has mandatory boating education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. See the state's website for specific boater safety course requirements. Also, read Wisconsin: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

Wyoming
http://gf.state.wy.us
No mandatory boating safety course educational requirements.

Puerto Rico
No mandatory boating safety course educational requirements.

Virgin Islands
No mandatory boating safety course educational requirements. Read Virgin Islands: The Legal Requirements of Boating in PDF format.

 

[Shasta_man]

Just like driving, they have to care to follow the instruction, otherwise classtime is useless.

 

[aquaagua]

not to mention jetskis. I have seen at least two jet ski incidents involving young clueless drivers hitting swimmers or other jetskiiers. Adults need to realize that jetskiis are watercraft too and not allow little kids to ride them unattended. Most often it was becauses there is no brake so they let off on the throttle and then can't stear.