pretty vague, even for a bill. Define "supervision" as it pertains to how many people can the adult supervise at one time? An Opti fleet? 2 vessels?
And what proximity constitutes "supervision"? A coach boat? From shore?
So since the Steeplechase is not put on by a "school", my 17 year old can't sail it without me following?
I honestly didn't think this (minors sailing without supervision) was such a problem. The jet-ski group, on the other hand, seems relatively rife with minors doing dumb things... but my evidence is only anecdotal and possibly jaded a bit.
Agreed- vague and ripe for argument
Opti's are under 10' - they are not covered by this bill
your "proximity" question is ripe for argument. Yes i think you can supervise from land if your within eye sight? at least you could argue it in court.
Your example of your son is a tough one... you may need to be on board or on a chase boat in that case.
Jet ski's are not allowed to be operated by anyone under the age of 14 and can't be rented by anyone under 18 (not this changes anything with them)
http://myfwc.com/boating/regulations/ as much as a pita pwc can be at times, they stop and help boats in distress (ME) a whole lot more often than regular power boats in my experience (i.e. when i demasted 2 weeks ago, when i capsized by the spider buoy and couldn't self right my mystere a few years back - he jumped off and helped me - and a few other times)
So i try not to bitch about them too much
PS i learned the FL bill was in responce to the 2 teenagers who went missing a few years back .
Also the maryland bill doesn't sound like it pertains to catamaran's nor wearing a harness
"AN INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT OPERATE A VESSEL ON THE WATERS OF THE
STATE WHILE ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL IS RIDING ON OR SUSPENDED FROM THE
VESSEL’S
BOW, GUNWALE, OR TRANSOM IN A DANGEROUS MANNER."
again ripe for arguments: wearing a harness negates any "danger"
and define "riding on" ..
