I didn't deny that operating a jet ski at night is illegal, I just said that it should not be. It is unfair to single out this specific type of machine to limit in this way, much like it would be to limit operation of motorcycles because people often get hurt riding them.
Jet skis can stop. Therefore jet skis can stop in half the visibility distance, they just have to go the speed necessary to do so, like the rest of us. As I said, I feel very confident a jet ski can stop quicker than Bandersnatch can. Actually, like many of the rest of us, a maximum effort U-turn is often more effective in halting forward progress toward a potential collision point than a full astern for a heavy, relatively lightly powered vessel such as an auxiliary sailboat. I believe that nighttime operation of jet skis has been made illegal not because of any failing of the jet ski, but because of the "toy" use of the machine by many operators and because they are often used simply for high-speed joy rides for short periods. Also, many are rentals operated by inexperienced people at high speeds occasionally resulting in accidents. I can see no characteristics of the jet ski that warrants such restrictions, only the characteristics of some operators resulting in a safety record less than average (if it really is). These same operators would be just as dangerous in a bass boat or other high speed skiff. Norm S/V Bandersnatch Lying Julington Creek 30 07.695N 081 38.484W > [Original Message] > From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Cc: <[email protected]> > Date: 10/15/2008 4:15:30 PM > Subject: Re: [Liveaboard] what tha? > > Norm wrote: > > > I have no idea what Arild is talking about when he says a jet ski cannot > > stop in compliance with the COLREGS requirement about stopping in half > the distance of visibility. > > > I see no reason to prohibit jet skis from running at night. > > > REPLY > PWC jet skis etc are prohibited from operating after sunset in all parts > of Canada because of the reasons I gave in the previous post. Prudent > seamanship dictate a reduction in speed with reduced vizibility. The Col > Regs are based on the exercise of prudent seamanship. > The copy of the Col regs I have say you must be able to stop a vessel in > half the visibible distance. > Yes I know Jet skis can be stopped quickly by competent operators who > really know what they are doing and assuming they have sufficient > vizibility to see far enough ahead. However, proceeding through an > anchorage at night requires slow speed. Slow speed makes it more > difficult to stop suddenly with a jet ski. I was told that the rules > governing small craft operation is now often guided by NASABLA suggested > regulations. These regulations were formulated by American states. Canada > has decided to adopt these NASBLA guideline in formulating the Canadian > regulations for operator competency certifications. Yes it is true that > as of 2009 ALL operators of motorized vessels in Canada MUST have proof > of competency and the certificate. And in Canada it is not legal to > operate a jet ski after sunset > Given that the prohibition against operating a jet ski after sunset was > based in large part on the NASBLA regulations I (perhaps erroneously) > concluded that states which are signatory to these NASBLA based rules > would also prohibit jet ski operation after dark. > > Arild > _______________________________________________ > Liveaboard mailing list > [email protected] > To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard > To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ > > To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html _______________________________________________ Liveaboard mailing list [email protected] To adjust your membership settings over the web http://www.liveaboardnow.org/mailman/listinfo/liveaboard To subscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The archives are at http://www.liveaboardnow.org/pipermail/liveaboard/ To search the archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] The Mailman Users Guide can be found here http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/mailman-member/index.html
