http://cbs11tv.com/local/Texas.Boating.Fatalities.2.764057.html

"Campos noted that Texas' size and population could be one of the factors contributing to the number of fatalities, but authorities still report a jump in fatal accidents during big summer holidays, when more people are apt to be out partying."

NO JOKE!!!!

get out of the CITY

yes sir, it seems the idiots hit the water when it gets warm, or holidays hit

I almost went to Canada for the 4th to avoid the crowds, but didn't feel like driving that far.

Just got back from watching fireworks at Tower Bay - when the fireworks in the sky ended, the ones at the ramp began. I'm convinced that I shall not use that ramp during the summertime!

Was amazing to see the mass of green & red lights crisscrossing on the water & I don't see how there were no collisions (yet).

"Texas has about 4,900 square miles of inland water -- more than any of the 48 continental states, followed by Minnesota, Florida and Louisiana."

I was pulling a young child on a knee-board on Cooper Lake earlier in the week. I was possibly the only boat on the lake at the time, certainly the only boat within eyesight. I, along with everyone else in the boat, was watching this child closely. We were going about eleven to twelve MPH. Out of nowhere comes a jet-ski running wide open and passes across in front of us. I missed this kid by only a few yards.

He could have waited on us to pass, but chose to take the gamble that he would out run us and get across in front of us. If he had hit us or we had hit him it certainly would have been a disaster.

My only concern about what you've typed, DannyB, is why weren't you using a rear view mirror and allowing the others to 'spot' the child in question?

Because I thought that I really was the only boat within miles of the area, and because I was going very slow with a young child I didn't see any problem watching him as well.

However a sixty to seventy MPH jet-ski can come away from the bank in only seconds.

I have a rather large ski boat and there are normally 10 - 12 people on board when we're on the water...

I can understand the desire to watch the person you are pulling, however, please use a rear view mirror and allow someone else to spot them...Take a video camera with you and watch the show when you get home...

Unfortunately with today's idiots on the lakes, it is our responsibility to watch out for everyone...Most on the lake haven't had a moment in a Water Safety Course and don't pay attention to anyone but themselves...

When we pilot the water craft we have the lives of everyone on our boat in our hands...

I don't mean this to chastise, but hopefully you'll take the advice and help prevent an accident...I have had numerous idiots cross my path and I had to take corrective action immediately. If I had been watching the person I was pulling instead of what was going on around the boat, it could have been a very bad day....

youre actually suppose to have a mirror at least 4" wide while pulling a person.

Yes, but having one and using one are two totally different things.......I'll be putting ours to use on Sunday

I won't take it as chastising, but let me say this.....I am fifty-two years old and have been skiing since I was about ten. I barefooted on my fiftieth birthday. I have never had a skiing accident.

I am very safety conscience. We probably look like a bunch of goobers out in a 21 foot bay boat with everyone wearing life jackets. How many other boaters can you say that about?

I will also say this....unless you have the type of giant rear view mirror that comes on these professional tow boats such as Mastercrafts and Nautiques, you can't effectively see skiers in the smaller "legal" mirrors anyway, so I don't even try. It is up to me to keep my skier safe as well as my passengers, and I have done a pretty good job so far.

I can appreciate your time piloting a watercraft. I have a Chaparrel ski boat and the mirror that's on it is rather large.

Unfortunately, most boaters on the waters today, have either not had a Water Safety Course nor were taught how to properly operate a boat by someone with experience... I have spoken to numerous boaters and most have told me this is their first boat and it can't be any harder than driving a car

I am only 33, but have been on boats since I was a few months old and knowing my parents, I was probably conceived on one of their boats My parents taught all of their children about water safety and the controls of the boat by the age of 10. I also took a Water Safety Course as it was required by the church I ministered at before being able to take kids out on the boat...

It is sad and scarey to see how many people are hurt because of inexperience, ignorance and arrogance....

I applaud you for not having an accident and making your passengers wear their life jackets.

As a conservative person, I can't believe I'm about to type this, but I personally believe anyone in control of a water craft should have to take a test and be licensed before being able to launch...

I agree wholeheartedly about taking a boaters safety course.

I turn into a "sit on the bank and fish for catfish" guy during these times. I like to watch the bikini's go by.

note to self: don't forget binoculars.

no comment

Your shtick is becoming tiresome. Are you just trying to raise your post count?

(pssst...little hint - there really isn't a prize for the most posts)

Now

you

tell

me.

All this safety stuff is cancelling the positive effects of Natural Selection. The more safety programs / rules the greater % of the population that are idiots. Used to be they kept the herd thinned a little.

You aint kiddin.

But there are bragging rights.