Flytrade
Active Member
While boating recently in a no wake zone, a deck boat was coming toward me with 3 children - about 5 - 9 years old - sitting on the bow, without life jackets, with their feet dangling just above the water.
While still some distance away, I turned in front of his boat and made a large X, crossing both my arms, in a message for him to stop. I told the captain that even in a no wake zone the boat could hit small waves which could dislodge the children, causing them to fall in the water in front of the boat, and they would be swept under the boat and into the prop.
I don't know what the legality is of having such children in front of the boat, but I have seen this several times before. I'm sure these are new boaters and are not aware of the dangers of having children in such a position.
If I did not stop this boat, and anything were to happen to any of those children, I don't know how I would be able to live with myself.
I would hope all of us, seeing a dangerous situation, would make every effort to promote boating safety.
While still some distance away, I turned in front of his boat and made a large X, crossing both my arms, in a message for him to stop. I told the captain that even in a no wake zone the boat could hit small waves which could dislodge the children, causing them to fall in the water in front of the boat, and they would be swept under the boat and into the prop.
I don't know what the legality is of having such children in front of the boat, but I have seen this several times before. I'm sure these are new boaters and are not aware of the dangers of having children in such a position.
If I did not stop this boat, and anything were to happen to any of those children, I don't know how I would be able to live with myself.
I would hope all of us, seeing a dangerous situation, would make every effort to promote boating safety.