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Post by boatman on Apr 5, 2016 12:41:43 GMT
Ok, who wears them and when? I don a jacket on tidal, and large rivers. A company I contracted for a couple of years ago on a work boat had a strick policy, wear a jacket within 2 metres of the waters edge, and obviously on the boat. Self inflating? The only jacket for me. Manual ones are naff all use if you bang your head on the way in. On the canals, I would have said never but after my recent accident, if the boat owner had not been there, I would have eventually fallen in with a broken leg. So working on my own, I'm not sure now. Thoughts? I not suggesting nanny state here, it is in my opinion a personnel choice.
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Post by Delta9 on Apr 5, 2016 13:03:22 GMT
The only time I wear one is on a jet ski. I used to go sea fishing in my rib and would take one with me but not wear it, it was there just in case I started sinking.
I know it's not very clever but I've never been good at following safety measures like helmets on motorbikes or goggles with angle grinders. The only excuse I have is laziness.
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Post by naughtyfox on Apr 5, 2016 14:35:47 GMT
Why would I or the Witch wear life jackets? Sensible, yes, we may slip and fall in. But they are bulky and another thing you have to put on, thus slowing down the whole process of 'getting out there and just doing it'. Also they are bright orange so the stone-throwers of Failsworth and Stoke-on-Trent can spot you easily and have a laugh before throwing bricks at you. Ordinary boaters get railway ballast stones thrown at them, life-jacket wearers get bricks. One day I want to be able to tell my grandchildren I did the Rochdale Canal between Todmorden and Sowerby Bridge - and I did not wear a lifejacket! And I want to look at the expression on their faces.
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Post by naughtyfox on Apr 5, 2016 14:38:08 GMT
We actually do wear life jackets when driving 'Emerald Fox' (yes, this boat exists and the name confuses Finns, haha!) on the sea out here. I mean, it's the sea. Not a 4-foot deep ditch.
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Post by macwolfelee on Apr 6, 2016 13:06:44 GMT
Why would I or the Witch wear life jackets? Sensible, yes, we may slip and fall in. But they are bulky and another thing you have to put on, thus slowing down the whole process of 'getting out there and just doing it'. Also they are bright orange so the stone-throwers of Failsworth and Stoke-on-Trent can spot you easily and have a laugh before throwing bricks at you. Ordinary boaters get railway ballast stones thrown at them, life-jacket wearers get bricks. One day I want to be able to tell my grandchildren I did the Rochdale Canal between Todmorden and Sowerby Bridge - and I did not wear a lifejacket! And I want to look at the expression on their faces. They don't have to be bright orange - mine is dark blue, but I believe the inflated version is brighter.
I used to only wear it on tidal rivers, but then realised that non-tidal can be just as deep. Who would have guessed it?
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Post by JohnV on Apr 6, 2016 13:22:11 GMT
I normally don't bother wearing one when on the canals unless the weather conditions are bad. However I do when at sea or on "proper" rivers (as opposed to the tamed canalized sections) also when working on tugs or workboats as it is a requirement of the work conditions
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Post by naughtyfox on Apr 6, 2016 13:30:00 GMT
Yes, I know it's sensible to wear a life jacket. But then, I drink whisky and eat chocolate, two other life-shortening luxuries.
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Post by NB Lola on Apr 6, 2016 14:29:59 GMT
Rivers n long tunnels
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2016 15:41:05 GMT
I am pretty relaxed about lifejackets when I boat with the girlfriend, but I always wear my lucky lime green Speedos because you never know
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Post by yamyam on Apr 6, 2016 18:39:44 GMT
We actually do wear life jackets when driving 'Emerald Fox' (yes, this boat exists and the name confuses Finns, haha!) on the sea out here. I mean, it's the sea. Not a 4-foot deep ditch. A 4ft deep ditch!. Luxury. Lucky to get away with 2ft around here :-)
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Post by Saltysplash on Apr 10, 2016 9:49:32 GMT
Never worn one on the Canals, used to wear one on my old MFV when popping out on deck for a quick cough and a drag, but even then, only if it was a bit lively.
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Post by loafer on Apr 11, 2016 19:55:15 GMT
We have them on board but only wear them on deep wide rivers. I have often wondered if a stroke or heart attack might happen one day - that would be a useful time to be wearing a self-inflater.
However, the sight of a bright orange lifejacket in the distance usually means noisy kids or new boaters! I have to avoid both, 'cos of my blood pressure problem!
I also don't like those high-vis yellow jackets. I can't explain it, I just don't like 'em. And camouflaged trousers.
I apologise in advance to those who like, and wear them!
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Post by JohnV on Apr 11, 2016 20:11:01 GMT
I wear a hi vis waistcoat when working on commercial boats on the river, it is surprisingly hard to spot someone in the water and if I do go in I want someone to get to me PDQ. Being old and decrepit, just being kept afloat isn't enough, I wouldn't last long in cold water. The current on the ebb means you would be out of sight of where you went in very quick........it's just horses for courses......the only other time I wear Hi Vis is when working in the Docks....they get very snotty if you don't wear hi vis and a hard hat.
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Post by Saltysplash on Apr 12, 2016 6:44:33 GMT
"Life Jackets! We dont need no stinking life jackets"
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Post by peterboat on Apr 12, 2016 11:14:48 GMT
We have them on board but only wear them on deep wide rivers. I have often wondered if a stroke or heart attack might happen one day - that would be a useful time to be wearing a self-inflater. However, the sight of a bright orange lifejacket in the distance usually means noisy kids or new boaters! I have to avoid both, 'cos of my blood pressure problem! I also don't like those high-vis yellow jackets. I can't explain it, I just don't like 'em. And camouflaged trousers. I apologise in advance to those who like, and wear them! A chap from our moorings had a heart attack on the trent trad stern boat fell in and drowned no lifejacket which in this case would have saved him
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