Question....would you?

dwna1a

dwna1a

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Apr 23, 2012
5,981
James River
Boat Info
88 Weekender 300 "Seahorse"
Engines
Twins 350
We had a great boating day on Saturday here in VA. New boaters were out enforce. One of the last boats to come into the marina was a guy, his wife, and his two preteen kids. The two kids were hanging over the bow dragging their hands in the water.
After the wife and kids got off the boat we casually called him over to the wall and advised him of the life saftey issue of anyone hanging over the front of any boat.

was it right of us to warn him of the dangers to his kids as he allowed this? His logic was he was in the marina so he felt it was safe.
 
Kudos for you for reaching out to try to educate someone on the proper boating behavior and safety. Too many people on my lake would give you the middle finger salute if you mentioned anything to them.


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IMHO, yes, you did the right thing. What if you had not said something and god forbid, something did happen? At least this is how I look at it...you have said something...now if he allows the practice to continue and does not heed your advice, it is all on him-you did what you could.

Bennett
 
I think you did the right thing too.:thumbsup: Even in the perceived safety of the mooring basin, if one of them DID happen to fall in there is the possibility of electrocution too. However, even YOU should know that spinning props can't harm anyone in the water if they're close to a marina.:smt021
Good job.
 
You did right if it was done in a respectful way. I'm convinced most don't do these kind of stupid acts for any other reason than being oblivious. Darwin would have kept his mouth shut. Perhaps you're a better man...
 
Yes. Too many are afraid to speak up about safety issues. For too many stupid reasons. I witnessed a professional USN sailor wearing a PFD get tossed over the side of a tug in a legit accident end up as a closed casket funeral in a matter of seconds. Spinning props have no conscience.

Yeah Captain. You done good. Shame on you if you did any differently. Keep up the good work.
 
To be honest, I don't know if I would have, I definetly would have thought that someone should. I would have pointed out to my kids how dangerous it is. Now, after reading this thread, I would. I will.
Thanks.
 
I know what I would have done, because I've done it many times. I'll let a lot of things go in regards to a captain and his vessel. but, when it comes to kids hanging over the bow I feel compelled to speak up. I've seen very young kids hardly big enough to reach up and grab a bow rail with their feet hanging over with the dad (presuming dad) texting at the helm...

I've discussed the issue with USCG and DNR and both confirmed my thoughts on the regs and the seriousness.

I think you did the right thing. How did they respond? Safe in a marina with lots of other boats and things he could hit? Hmmmm....
 
I am with everyone here in saying you did the right thing even if it was taken wrongly by the captain. Easier to let a nasty response pass than to have to re-live the moment one of his children slipped and was injured or killed by overlooking the danger of doing what they were doing.
 
After you brought it to his attention he defended his actions but I bet he will think about it and see the risk in letting his kids do that again.
 
He took the advice without really saying much more. We didn't jump him or anything we just called him over and explained the dangers to him after he had unloaded the family. Explained to him it was a life safty issue which is when he said he thought it would be safe in the marina. We kinda just let that one go.
 
I think this is interesting both in the situation, the response by most people in the thread, and the response by the negligent captain. First I'll say this I agree completely he was in the wrong, it was dangerous, stupid, and could have gotten his kids killed.

That said, I wonder how may folks would feel compelled to speak up at the dozens of other things we see in daily life that are dangerous, stupid, and could get someone killed? Would you say something to a parent that is letting their kid ride a bike without a helmet? How about a parent that is driving in their car with a cell phone and kid in the back seat? How about the ones that let their kids play out of sight (at a park, at the marina, etc.)?

I'm not saying that the OP was wrong in speaking up, I'm just trying to see where the "line" is drawn in parenting and telling others how to do it.
 
Sous said:
I think this is interesting both in the situation, the response by most people in the thread, and the response by the negligent captain. First I'll say this I agree completely he was in the wrong, it was dangerous, stupid, and could have gotten his kids killed.

That said, I wonder how may folks would feel compelled to speak up at the dozens of other things we see in daily life that are dangerous, stupid, and could get someone killed? Would you say something to a parent that is letting their kid ride a bike without a helmet? How about a parent that is driving in their car with a cell phone and kid in the back seat? How about the ones that let their kids play out of sight (at a park, at the marina, etc.)?

I'm not saying that the OP was wrong in speaking up, I'm just trying to see where the "line" is drawn in parenting and telling others how to do it.
Click to expand...
Totally agree. Dad should know the potential risk, and not allow it. If he does allow it, it's really none of my business as it has no impact on my life. Like you said, where do you draw the line?

What if he drives a car with a 4 star crash rating instead of a 5 star rating?
What if he has cheap tires instead of top quality tires?
What if his car only has 8 air bags, but the newest model has 10?
What if his house has 4 smoke detectors instead of 5/6/other arbitrary number
What if he uses some cheap generator instead of a Honda genny on his swim platform?

Okay, just kidding on the last one, but all of those things I mention technically put you at higher risk of injury/death and nobody seems to care. But when a kid leans over a rail, peoples' heads explode. Makes no sense to me. Live and let live.
 
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Down here in FL you'd have a full time job as "safety police":) You really see stupid stuff nearly every time you go out:)
 
Folks remember something here.... I work Fire & Rescue. Some members hate seeing pets get hurt or killed.....I hate seeing kids put in danger.

Life is a risk, but when you know better then you are on your own! I just don't think this owner knew any better. Now maybe he does
 
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