Coast Guard issues boating warnings
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – After two life threatening incidents in Massachusetts waters just within the last six days, the coast guard is warning boaters of the risk they’re taking when they fail to use a vessel’s “engine kill cord” properly.
A ‘kill cord’ is a lanyard similar to those found on treadmills.
It’s designed for one end to attach to the boat and the other end to attach to the operator.
That way if the person falls overboard, the engine will immediately stop.
Coast Guard officials say “it’s alarming” how many boaters skip this potentially lifesaving tip.
Despite the warning, some boaters locally think the “kill cord” is an “over kill” on certain vessels.
“I have one on my boat, yes, but I don’t use it. I think they’re for more or less the people who use ski-do’s and personal craft that would need a kill switch right away quickly, but on a bigger boat, I don’t think it’s necessary,” said Rick Nelson of Springfield.
(source)