RAY SCOTT OUTDOORS
NEWS RELEASE

Mandatory Life Vest Rule

Will Save Countless Lives

B.A.S.S. Founder Urges Boating Safety Measure

PINTLALA, AL  – This year more than 800 people will die in boating-related accidents.  Eighty percent (8 out of 10 victims) will choose not to wear a life vest.

 “Like seat belts in an automobile on the highway, boaters should buckle up a life vest on the water,” says Ray Scott, the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.).

Scott pioneered the wearing of life vests in professional bass fishing tournaments, as early as 1968, “and to date there’s not been a loss of life due to drowning in a B.A.S.S. tournament,” he notes with pride.

 The Coast Guard’s loss-of-life statistics speak for themselves, but Scott says “the message is falling on too many deaf ears in the boating public.  There’s only one sure-fired way to turn the tide.  Make it mandatory to wear a personal flotation device (life vest) when on the water.”

 To make his point, Scott says, “The United States Coast Guard is working to save lives and would act to make it mandatory to wear life vest if the public stands up and supports the campaign.”

 Recently The U. S. Coast Guard has asked for public comment on the proposed mandatory wearing of life vests “for all occupants of vessels less than 20 feet in length.”   According to Terry Cross, Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard, “Most people who die in recreational boating accidents drown.”

 Coast Guard figures report 588 such drowning deaths in 1997, of which 523 were not wearing a lifejacket.  Although, 65 victims also drowned while wearing a life vest” information in the accident report suggest other factors contributed to or were the primary cause of death.”

 “Many of the 588 might have survived if they had worn lifejackets,” states the    U. S. Coast Guard report.

 Several states have imposed various requirements for wearing lifejackets, including mandatory wear for children.  The Coast Guard seeks comments on continuing to allow states to set standards or propose federal rules.  Also, under study are various guidelines as to boater’s age, boat length, type of vessel, persons being towed behind watercraft, single operator in a recreational vessel, or occupants of a recreational vessel in prevailing weather and water conditions.  Proposed federal regulations are being considered as to requiring the wearing of lifejackets in these situations.

“I’ve long been an advocate of boating safety,” said Scott, “and I’m urging others to get involved in saving lives and support the requirement to wear a life vest—not just have an approved PFD on board the craft as currently enforced.”

 Scott says he fears a backlash from opposing viewpoints will scuttle the boating safety measure:

 “In 1997, the Coast Guard asked for similar comments on wearing PFDs and received over 600 replies.  According to the report, the majority objected to the mandatory wearing of PFDs on all vessels.”

 As Scott notes, the ongoing debate centers on the safety-minded, who believe that life vest should be worn at all times on the water, and “those who view the safe operation of a recreational boat precludes the need for wearing PFDs, as long as, they are available for use in an emergency.”

 “When we made the requirement, in 1968, that all contestants in our B.A.S.S. tournaments be wearing a Coast Guard approved life vest – anytime the big engine was cranked – nobody objected.  It was the rule.  Besides, it just made common sense to wear it, not store it,” asserted Scott, who served on the National Boating Safety Advisory Council in the late-1970s.

 During the period, Scott and B.A.S.S., also, led the movement to require automatic shut-off devices (kill switches) on bass boats, if the driver is thrown from the console.  Scott worked with the Coast Guard and bass boat manufacturers to require upright, level flotation for safety.  Without adequate foam-type flotation, early-day boats did capsize and sink.

 “Wearing the typical foam vest (Type III) PFD in the summer heat is uncomfortable,” agrees Scott, “but life vest manufacturers are coming out with inflatable, Coast Guard approved vests that you can wear all the time on the water and be cool and comfortable.  Besides the fact, you’re prepared in the event of an unexpected mishap or fall overboard.”

 Fishermen and boaters, who wish to comment to the U. S. Coast Guard, should make their views known by writing or logging onto www.uscgboating.org.  The web site includes the full text of the proposal and directions for registering comments.

 The Coast Guard Infoline at (800) 368-5647, as well, details the entire text of the proposal contained in the Federal Register 64-FR53971, 33 CFR Part 175, USCG-6219 – Recreational Boating Safety-Federal Requirements for Wearing Personal Floatation Devices.

 “It’s a fact people take the attitude that there’s too much governmental regulation in our lives,” opines Scott, “and will speak out against this issue.  But, the fact is that wearing a life vest will save more lives.”

 Scott is not without supporters.  “Boat Smart from the Start.  Wear Your Life Jacket” is the theme for National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26, 2000.

 “Thousands of people would be alive today had they taken the simple step of wearing a life jacket when they went out on the water,” declares Virgil Chambers, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council.

 The NSBC in partnership with the U. S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is conducting the campaign to reach the 80 million boaters around North America.

 More than 20,000 safe boating kits will be distributed to local “Boat Smart From the Start.  Wear Your Life Jacket” coordinators to further safe boating.  The campaign is made possible, in part, through a grant from the Aquatic-Resources (Wallop/Breaux) Trust Fund administered by the U. S. Coast Guard and coordinated by the National Safe Boating Council.

 “We’re definitely on the right course,” opines Ray Scott, “but we need to do more than put out bumper stickers.  Educate, first, but legislate is the only way to insure saving more lives by requiring life vests be worn on the water.

 “Write (contact) Terry Cross, Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard, 2100 2^nd Street, S. W.  Washington, DC 20593-0001, and express your support for the mandatory requirement to wear a life jacket on the water,” urges Scott.

 Refer to USCG-1999-6219 when making comments on “Federal Requirements for Wearing Personal Flotation Devices.”  By mail, write:  Docket Management Facility, U. S. Dept. of Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street S. W., Washington DC  20590-0001.  To fax, send comments to Docket Management at 202-493-2251.