NYCkayaker kayaks and the coast guard/p34

[mike]

P34 is an safety item I didn't know about 


But by far, the best rule to follow is-never swim in, or around, a marina.
It's simply not worth the risk.
Most marinas prohibit swimming because of the hidden electrical
dangers, but such rules are certainly not mandated. Boaters should be leery
of marinas that permit swimming around their docks because such facilities
are not following widely accepted safety practices.

These accidents are not limited to marinas and shore power; they can also
occur when people are swimming near any boat that is using an electrical
generator or DC-AC inverter, if a fault exists in the electrical system.
Snip/////////////
We need to inform recreational boaters that, as an owner or operator, they
are responsible for the safety of themselves and their passengers. As with
other boating safety issues, the most effective thing we can do is create
awareness of the dangers of marina electrocution.
We have to work together to plant the seeds that will one day spread and
grow into common knowledge. Repetition is the key to behavior change, but
the tone and content of a message is just as important as its frequency.
Instead of using scare tactics that have an uncanny ability to go in one ear
and out the other, transmit to boaters the following key tactics on which
they must focus to avoid electricity-related accidents:
. Never allow passengers to swim in, or around, a marina. Boat captains
should make this one of their core rules and clearly communicate
the very real dangers of underwater
electrocution.
. Get a Vessel Safety Check (VSC), which could uncover dangerous electrical
problems. Section B of Item 15 on the VSC Checklist states: "The electrical
system
must be protected by fuses or manual
reset circuit breakers. Switches and fuse panels must be protected from rain
or water spray. Wiring must be in good condition, properly installed and
with no exposed areas or deteriorated insulation."
While this does not completely eliminate the danger, it reduces the risk of.
Citations will not be given. Upon completion, boaters will receive a copy of
the "safety check" for recommendation purposes only.)
. Encourage marinas to post and maintain signs warning against swimming. The
signs should specifically address underwater
electrical dangers; otherwise, potential swimmers may not realize what lies
beneath the surface and choose to disregard the signs as "safety overkill."