Hb 216

HB 216 (BR 204) - J. Stewart III
AN ACT relating to boating safety.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 235 to require the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to design a flag to be raised by boaters in the event of an onboard medical emergency; require the flag to be available for immediate purchase or for order and later delivery at each place where a fishing license is sold; allow the department to charge an amount reasonably calculated to recover the costs it incurs in producing and providing the flag; specify that the department shall not require use of the flag but shall encourage its use; allow the design of the flag to be the same as an existing nationally or internationally recognized flag that is only flown in the event of an onboard medical emergency.

Jan 15-introduced in House
Jan 16-to Transportation

I like it. Sounds like good common sense.

I don't agree. Why get the government any more involved in our recreation than they already are? I've spent my entire life on the lakes and have never seen or had a medical emergency. If I had the flag in my boat, it would take an hour to find it anyway. That's what cell phones are for.

Yeah, but "dux" ..... not everyone has a cellphone, and not all cellphones work "everywhere" you go.

I'd prefer a "flag" over the "Need Help" boat cushions, air horns, or flare guns ... but, wondering about how someone (alone) would be able to raise the flag, and "on what", to get the attention of anyone in the immediate area.

Seeing as how it's not a mandatory requirement piece of equipment, but just a "suggested" & available one, I see no intrusion by gov'mnt.

... cp :kewl

Cell phone service (for my trac-phone) is hit or miss on Green River, so any means of getting help when needed adds a sense of well being. And, it's optional not mandatory.

I believe that due to a lack of education 99% of the people wouldn't even recognize the flag for what it is. I've seen boaters totally disregard diver flags. I guess there could be that 1 out of 100 that might recognize it and render assistance. I carry a cell phone and a VHF radio.

As long as It is NOT a requirement I guess I don't have a problem with it.

Sounds silly.

Where I boat most of the time I am the only one on the water. What good would it do?

If I see someone yelling and waving their arms at me, I will, and have, gone to their aid. If I'm in trouble and yell and wave and no one sees me, a flag won't make any difference. I agree with Mrdux, they shouldn't trespass into my boat.

Being a Paramedic, anything that would help when time is a factor could save a life.

On not having cell phone service, most cell phones are able to dial 911 when you cannot call a standard number by bumping off another service providers tower.

My little Ranger doesn't have a flag pole. :dono Oh ... I mean mast.

I agree about the diver flags. Seen it myself where people had no clue what the flag meant. I also agree that 911 will bounce off of other cell phone towers and that's what I would do. I have also stopped to help peole who waved me down. Actually twice I have had people fill my boat with fuel for simply pulling them in when they ran out. I was just trying to be nice but a full tank of gas was pretty nice. Almost everyone will help someone waving them down and the arms waving will probably be more visible. My final comment, I work for the government and we infringe to much already. I personally don't support it.

If people are worried about safety why worry about a flag when they are drunks and morons running up and down the lake seeing how close they can get to you. Water patrol could careless about those people all they are worried about is tring to give a fisherman a ticket for something.... I have never in my life seen them check those people.........why is that??????

Amen!!!!

slabeye has a point.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slabeye

If people are worried about safety why worry about a flag when they are drunks and morons running up and down the lake seeing how close they can get to you. Water patrol could careless about those people all they are worried about is tring to give a fisherman a ticket for something.... I have never in my life seen them check those people.........why is that??????

---

Actually, I've seen the CO's stop, check, AND TICKET more of the "rip & jerk" crowd, than anglers ... on Herrington, Cave Run, & Taylorsville. Don't know about Green River Lake, as I've only been checked once, there ... and that was just for license & fish (but, there weren't any non-fishing boats in the area, at that time, either).

... cp :kewl

If I put up a mast to fly a flag on I'm going to put a crows nest on it. That way I'll have something to stand on so I can check out the scenery at the rock quarry.

It might help a rescue boat that had been called with a cell phone a quicker and easier way of locating the boat which has the emergency.

A far as flying it, I guess I would use my light pole as a flag pole in an emergency.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slow Retrieve

It might help a rescue boat that had been called with a cell phone a quicker and easier way of locating the boat which has the emergency.

A far as flying it, I guess I would use my light pole as a flag pole in an emergency.

---

Good point.