Cell Phones May Be Banned On Boats

[Kevin]

Cell Phones May Be Banned On Boats

Just as mobile devices have finally reached the point where they can easily run useful apps for boaters, they are on the brink of being banned by the Coast Guard. If an iPhone or Droid is mounted on your console running a navigation application, that’s probably not going to get anybody into trouble. However, someone chatting on a cell phone or having a text conversation while at the helm is another story altogether. This could prove as dangerous as texting while driving a car, especially in a crowded river, lake or harbor.

What’s behind the story
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB – the same US agency that figures out how plane crashes happen) is currently investigating two collisions involving Coast Guard craft and civilian boats in which Coast Guard personnel were using cell phones. After determining that a Coast Guard crew member was using a cell phone, either for a conversation or texting, just before one of the collisions in which an 8-year old was killed, the NTSB called on the Coast Guard to adopt policies banning the use of cell phones and other devices. "The use of wireless communications devices while operating vehicles in any mode of transportation poses an unacceptable distraction," NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said. "State governments and federal regulators have been acting to combat these safety hazards and we urge the Coast Guard to do the same."

The current action
Ahead of the NTSB recommendation, the Coast Guard in July issued a ban on the use of cell phones and other wireless devices by the operators of Coast Guard vessels while underway. The Coast Guard has also agreed to take the NTSB’s recommendations seriously and to respond appropriately.

What’s next
If the NTSB recommendations are followed, the Coast Guard may extend their ban to all operators of commercial and recreational vessels. For now, the Coast Guard is just passing along a warning. Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Commander Chris O'Neil stated, "Just like when driving a vehicle on the road, when you are operating a boat, you must maintain situational awareness - and cell phone devices take away from that situational awareness."

[CaptHook]

Makes sense! Especially Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day weekends...LOL

[Bear Necessities]

So what’s next? No friends talking while under way, no radio playing at all that’s a distraction, don’t go out at night you cant see, oh better not go out during the day the sun might blind you, how about your ship to shore radio that’s a distraction also. Heck lets just out law boating all together in the name of safety!!! 

It’s your responsibility to be a safe driver and look out for others, their will always be idiots and unsafe boaters no matter how many laws are in place. This is just another ticket for the Coast Guard to give out so they can make money and make people feel like they are doing their job! 


It’s time we start standing up against more laws!!! With every new law we lose a little freedom! When do we say enough is enough? Maybe when we wake up and realize we are no longer a free people.

Boat safe, Boat fun, Boat a lot……

This has been the Bigmans two cents.