Re: High Speed Boat meets Large Wake - Video Link
That's some excellent information. I assumed he had little experience with the racing because he wasn't wearing any gear and didn't appear to have the kill-switch lanyard attached to him.
Either way, I'm glad they all survived and will likely be wearing safety equipment whenever participating in high speed runs and Poker Run activities.
I also agree on not making mandatory PFD's for adults, as it punishes the many for the mistakes of the few.
Definitely glad that all were able to walk out of that alive, that impact force was only a couple of percentage points short of causing fatalities. There's enough tragedies and accidents, don't need anymore.
Unfortunately, so many people find out the hard way the consequences of complacency, neglect, or recklessness on the water.
Even if the skipper and the adjacent passenger were able to safely sit up in a chair, he allowed the other passengers stand underway at +50mph speeds. On that boat, that's probably as safe as sitting/laying down a boat's stern swimdeck while underway.
I'll stay out of the PFD debate though, but I definitely recommend wearing a PFD in all situations, especially on high speed runs. I wear mine anytime I am driving my bowrider alone.
To sum it up, the buck stops with the skipper, that person is responsible for life and limb.
I always remember that right before I ever turn the ignition key.