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Sailors Shown Wearing PFD’s
I was really impressed by the photo which was the
subject of your editorial comment in the December 2009
issue. All the sailors in the photo had PFD’s (Personal
Floation Devices). I have always felt that photos, especially
cover photos, in sailing magazines should show all sailors
wearing some kind of life jacket. I have complained
numerous times to sailing publications that they should
be encouraging PFD use. In the October issue of Sail
Magazine, there was a letter to the editor regarding photos
on the magazine cover with sailors not wearing life jackets.
The editor wrote some idiotic response that the Coast
Guard does not require PFD’s except for kids. That was
enough for me not to renew my subscription.
As you know, I almost lost my best friend in a late
night storm in Maine and a well known racing and sailing
person in our LA area drowned while racing without a
PFD a few years ago. Keep up the good work. I really
enjoy your magazine. Happy New Year.
Best regards
Phil LeVine
Santa Monica, CA
ContactusforallofyourRiggingNeeds!
888-447-RIGG
The issue of sailors being required to wear PFDs while
racing comes up every couple years, usually after some tragic
orvisitourOnsiteRiggingLocationsin:
incident. As with any boat, you’re not required by the Coast
Guard to wear a PDF unless you’re under 12. Sailors have
Seattle,WA Alameda,CA SanDiego,CA
1275WestlakeAve.N 730BuenaVistaAve. 1250RosecransSt.
always been an independent lot, so no matter how obvious the
(206)926-0361 (510)521-4865 (619)255-8844
logic behind it, they’ve always resisted making it mandatory.
The picture you mention (above) was taken in some pretty
Annapolis,MD RockHill,SC Ft.Lauderdale,FL
tough conditions where the decision by a skipper and crew to
113HillsmereDr. 860MarineDr. 2300S.FederalHwy. don PFDs was obviously a good one. However, I can assure you
(410)268-0129 (803)909-6280 (954)527-5540 that, with milder conditions, you wouldn’t see all crews in our
area wearing PFDs. Should they be, of course. With the advent
westmarine.com/rigging
of lighter, more comfortable PFDs, at least the argument of them
being cumbersome and uncomfortable has gone away.
48° No r t h , Fe b r u a r y 2010 Pa g e 10
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