Why no life jackets on rowers?

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12:02 PM Thursday, November 5, 2009

I have a question about the rowing team and I apologize, ahead of time, for being uneducated about the sport of rowing. Why do no members of the rowing team appear to be wearing life jackets?

A river is a dangerous body of water, and our river is made even more dangerous by the low-level dam. Not to say that a life jacket would save a person if he or she went over the dam, but I was always taught that in lakes and rivers, life jackets save lives. Can someone please fill me in? I would love to know that the rowers are safe.

Also, let me say that I am very glad to see so many people taking part in rowing in the Great Miami River. It is a very positive thing for Hamilton.

Sarah Siegle

Hamilton

Editor’s note — Frances Mennone, executive director of the Great Miami Rowing Center, responds:

“Safety is our number one concern, and it’s not a subject the center takes lightly. The Coast Guard does not require rowers in a racing shell to wear personal flotation devices. Both oars and racing shells are designed to float, regardless of their orientation. While the law is in place to allow the rowers to move freely during rowing stroke, the center goes above and beyond the law by following these safety policies:

“When you see crews out on the water, you will also see a coach in a motorized safety launch accompanying them. This safety launch also carries enough life jackets for every person on the water, as well as a tool box, anchor, flashlight, emergency rescue blankets, first aid kit, air horn, tow line and a cell phone. ...

“The rowers all verify their ability to swim and if they cannot swim, they are not allowed to participate. Each rower also watches the United States Rowing Association’s safety training video to learn what to do if an accident were to occur.

“The center’s safety manual details a strict set of guidelines, specific to the Great Miami River’s flow rate and height and regarding what types of conditions are safe for our rowers to go on the water. We do not hesitate to switch to land-based sessions when inclement weather conditions are present or approaching. Whether we are at home on our own water or away at a regatta, we closely monitor the water and we do not send our rowers out in unsafe conditions.”

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@ Jim "Moron" Peterson: if you read Sarah's question with a critical eye, you will notice that she neither uses the term "civil liberty" nor does she imply anything about it. Now, if you wish to discuss civil liberty, every law or rule technically infringes upon the individual's civil liberty because laws are restrictive by nature. One could argue that whenever you stop at a stop sign that your civil liberty has been violated. I suggest that you jump in a deep lake (without a life jacket on).

Jeremy Carmack
1:27 AM, 11/7/2009

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Sarah, gurl, who in da h*ll u thank u is? What I don't get is why you alls white people is always goin' off bout stuff that don't no one care about. Jesus take the wheel, cuz I'm bout to go off up in here...What you need to do is not worry about some old lifejackets. Why don't you worry about why that old river water smell like my little Shatiqua's diaper? Smell like dem old rowers been takin stanky old dumps in that dank old water to me..And what the heck is a civil liberty? You all is ignorant

Shaniqua Larissa Jones
12:39 AM, 11/7/2009

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I'm back. Enough with the civil liberties, that's getting old. I have to hand it to gary, the man is a genius. Fool Peterson once, shame on you... fool peterson twice, you'll be up sh*ts creek without a paddle.

turtle
5:27 PM, 11/6/2009

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A list of things you should worry about besides why the rowers don't have on life vests:
1) The national deficit
2) Starving children in Africa
3) Starving children in the US
4) Was the landing on the moon real?
5) Can anyone believe it's not butter?
Worry according to this list and then you won't have people jumping down your throat saying that you aren't worrying about the right thing.

Gary Delabante
5:12 PM, 11/6/2009

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Oh and if someone is "moronic" enough to ask a question concerning things such as life jackets, please belittle them as much as possible, especially if the question is one you don't feel belongs in a newspaper. Besides, you are God and already knew why the rowing team doesn't wear life jackets.

A favorite quote of mine, "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!"

ACLU
5:05 PM, 11/6/2009

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