Allow me one ranting tirade please

[Mrs. Crappie Stalker]

Lots of folks out on the water at Reelfoot over the past few days and the winds blew constantly, plus the water is up and folks are running faster than usual. If you've ever been there, you know that the waves get to rolling pretty quick when the wind is up. So, there are a lot of people renting boats and heading out, easily less than 1/4 of them even attempting to wear a pfd while navigating to their fishing spots. Two things made my blood boil yesterday . . . . two grown men and a boy no more than 12 head out in their rental boat yesterday and not a life jacket to be seen on this kid. Wind is blowing 12-14 mph with gusts in the 20's. Not 15 minutes after seeing this trio go by, here comes another boat with 5 young kids in it and two so-called adults. NO LIFE JACKETS and 3 of these kids were laying across the front deck. They were all younger than the first boy I saw. You know, it's one thing to be an adult and foolish, but it's something else entirely to endanger a child.

[EnonEye]

I'd bet if you followed those same people off the lake they'd also not strap their children in the car. They either don't care enough about them to protect them or there's just not enough lights on in the attic.

[bdorman]

You can't fix stupid. Actually, your state DNR can fix stupid. Write citations and get a little revenue for the state.

I sure hope the business that rented the boat to them provided lifejackets.

[VALES]

Lots of folks out on the water at Reelfoot over the past few days and the winds blew constantly, plus the water is up and folks are running faster than usual. If you've ever been there, you know that the waves get to rolling pretty quick when the wind is up. So, there are a lot of people renting boats and heading out, easily less than 1/4 of them even attempting to wear a pfd while navigating to their fishing spots. Two things made my blood boil yesterday . . . . two grown men and a boy no more than 12 head out in their rental boat yesterday and not a life jacket to be seen on this kid. Wind is blowing 12-14 mph with gusts in the 20's. Not 15 minutes after seeing this trio go by, here comes another boat with 5 young kids in it and two so-called adults. NO LIFE JACKETS and 3 of these kids were laying across the front deck. They were all younger than the first boy I saw. You know, it's one thing to be an adult and foolish, but it's something else entirely to endanger a child.

Wow...that is illegal here in Arkansas and they enforce it. Can't remember exactly how it is worded but i believe any child 12yrs and under has to wear their life jacket while boating and the whole time they are in the boat fishing. People never cease to amaze me.

[Eager Beaver]

The parents or adults probably feel that the kids can swim so don't need a life jacket on, if they fall into the water. It is the enevitable time that they are rendered unconsious is why you need to have a pfd on at least while moving in the water.
In my boat when the big motor is on everyone has a pfd on. My boat doesn't move without everyone having one on. In Ne. young adults have to have one on when they are in a boat. EB

[VALES]

The parents or adults probably feel that the kids can swim so don't need a life jacket on, if they fall into the water. It is the enevitable time that they are rendered unconsious is why you need to have a pfd on at least while moving in the water.
In my boat when the big motor is on everyone has a pfd on. My boat doesn't move without everyone having one on. In Ne. young adults have to have one on when they are in a boat. EB

Thumbs Up Same here.

[Blackhawk19]

Nothing good will come from people doing that, but you can't fix stupid.

[Legato]

The only reason we have to buckle up, is too keep insurance happy. What happened to freedom of choice? Now, Im not saying not to keep kids safe....but, thats up to the parent(s). Dont worry, soon you will have to feed your kids only "healthy" foods or they will write you a ticket and then take your kids away..... Anyway, shouldnt it kinda be your CHOICE to wear a pdf or not? (including those under your supervision). I am in favor of wearing one - for one thing, I cant swim for crap.... And its just a lot safer.

[shipahoy41]

stupid is as stupid does.

[Mrs. Crappie Stalker]

Here in Tennessee, all children 12 and under are required by law to wear a pfd at all times in the boat. I saw life jackets and throwables in all of the rental boats, but, obviously, they can't force everyone to wear them. A windy day, a capsized boat and no life jacket resulted in a man drowning at Reelfoot just a couple weeks ago.