Seriously, you should be conversant with and follow pfd rules, they make sense and save lives. This article is a semi-non serious look at the actual usage on board cruiser vessels.
First of all I'm not trying to make an argument but make a point of different thinking. (just for fun)
Here goes -
If, and I mean if only one life jacket is worn on board, most would say it should be worn by a clumsy non swimmer because they will most likely need it. In this intellectually challenged exercise I suggest that the one and only life jacket should be worn by the most capable person because no one else on board is likely to be able to save him.
The most capable person will have to save himself when no one else is able, hence he should wear the life jacket. Because >> When the most capable person is gone the rest may perish, when the most capable person needs help, who will help him. So with this way of thinking we must preserve the most capable so that the less capable may then be helped.
Was that clear? OK try this scenario -- The skipper gets knocked overboard (crazy crew screws up) and is unconscious in the water without a pfd. By the time the clueless crew can recover (if ever) him/her, its too late. Now the remaining persons on board are at greater risk without the numero uno.
Next scenario --The clumsy helpless crewman trips and goes in the drink without a pfd. The immensely capable skipper springs into action, rescues the klutz in minutes and saves the day.
My backwards conclusion is that in the first scenario the skipper may have survived had he been wearing the only pfd, but the klumsy klutz crew probably would have survived without a pfd due to the skill of the skipper.
What! What is he suggesting, that the skipper gets the only pfd? Outrageous! Blasphemy! What about the Master's responsibility to ship, crew and passengers - Keel haul the laggardly sot.
On a serious note:
Look around the docks where all the boats are coming and going and you invariably see the women and children (even pooches) bundled up in the latest good looking approved flotation apparel. Makes sense, right? - save the hapless and helpless from succumbing to a maritime accident lurking around the next slip or piling. Look closely and many times you see the person stepping (we never jump do we) from boat to dock or dock to boat, handling lines, pushing off, keeping track of passengers, other boats, etc, etc, is not wearing a pfd. All the passengers that are seated and doing nothing are properly belted in, but the one person really in harm's way, the one person all others depend on, the one person the others may not be able to save - is not wearing a pfd at all.
I need to end this tirade by saying that simply having pfd's on board may keep the regulators happy but won't help the unfortunate skipper over the side, while his helpless family watches him struggle.
There are certain times (docking-working on deck) when all crew and skipper should be wearing safety gear - and that is just good seamanship.
Sobering thought!
