A question for all tournament directors

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:10 pm

Actually a couple.
Because of a recent situation that came up at a tournament recently at Diamond Valley Lake. I have a couple of questions to ask.
First one is If one of your staff members are fishing your tournament and file a protest do you still hold them to the same rule of having a witness to there protest. Or do you trust them and hold up there protest without a witness. If you do this do you not consider this a conflict of interest.
I guess that was multiple questions just for the first part.
Now the second one.
We all have in our rules about zipped and clipped when the big motor is running. So my question is this and it is multiple as well.
When is it that the team partner or Am if this is a pro am should be able to take off his life vest when he is being dropped at the dock. Can he take it off when he gets up from his seat to step on the front deck of the boat to go on the dock or must he wear it until he steps off the boat and then throw it backon the boat.
Now the second part. What is your rule for when the boater can take off his vest . Is it when the boat is on the trailer? And only when the boat is on the trailer. He is checked in with a tournament official. Now mind you many keep there motor running when they are hooking up there boat to the trailer. Do you D.Q. the person for taking off there vest to hook up the boat while the motor is running.?
I have fished pro ams for years and have seen this as well. The pro drops off his am to pick up the trailer. The pro is in idle .... big motor running. He takes off his jacket and starts putting away rods in the rod locker. He also starts to clean up the deck a little. Motor running the whole time no vest on. In B.A.S.S. this is an automatic D.Q. In other pro ams it has never even been protested.
What do you as a tournament director say about this?
The reason I am asking is because of a recent event at a team tournament it is making me think I need to add a rule to my allready huge amount of rules for fishing a tournament.
We are all adults here but it is causeing me to have to think about it since this Grey area may be crossed in one or more of the tournaments I run.
I really would also prefer to here from tournament directors on this. I know that will not happen but I will just weed through all the junk that will be brought up in this matter.

hippie · Post by **hippie** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:46 pm

The real question is should you be wearing your life jacket as your idling in from the incenuator. I think you should get the facts before you draw a conclusion. Ray I think you have fished enough tournies, and ran enough to know how you should handle the life jacket situation. Maybe you should ask all the tournament directors on california fishing forum to respond to this question.

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:08 am

So you are now a tournament director. How did I know you would harp in on this and sound like an idiot.
Maybe you should talk to 1 of your team partners and he will tell you a response I gave to him.
Also if you did not know, these questions were asked to a tournament director over the weekend at a different lake. So I guess I am not the only one looking for answers from people. I am taking a pro active position on this and wanted feedback from other tournament directors not you. I plan on making some changes to some rules we have now F.Y.I. I am going to make them clear and not keep it in a grey area like they are now. Rules are rules for the tournaments.

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:35 am

Thanks Mike. Now a question for you. You have seen this many times I am sure. A boater trailers his boat. He has the big motor running and steps to the front and hooks his boat to the trailer then goes back and turns offthe motor. Is he protested?
Like I said I will be making rule changes in the middle of the season. I will be adding but am looking for help with the verbage. I like your verbage. Imay use part of it but add to it as well. A few things will be clarified to be sure.
Thanks Mike.

ash · Post by **ash** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:35 am

Mike, it would be hard to be clipped in when you are wrenching the boat to the trailer.

Ray, I dont envy a tournament director and hope that you recieve additional feedback from the TD. I know that as an angler there is a certain amount of habit, do I keep my jacket on while I am on the TM hovering for 30 minutes, no when I do see my partner I sit down and load the boat, sometimes I slide the jacket on some times I dont...never clipped though cause I need to be able to get to the bow with the engine running.

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:45 am

Ok thanks Mike for your input

Brian D. · Post by **Brian D.** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:04 am

Mike M wrote:Why not just have simple rule that reads "When the boat is in the water or even touching the water such as when it is on the trailer either being launched or removed from the water each person in the boat must be wearing an approved life jacket that is fully zipped and clipped. Failure to do so for any reason will be grounds for DQ for the day without any exceptions."

Okay... what about when a Co or Am gets picked up at the dock after launching the pro. Should that person have his life jacket on before stepping on the bote? If he is on T-moter, then it's not an issue.

2ndsuks · Post by **2ndsuks** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:06 am

In my opinion, anyone protesting another angler for not wearing their PFD is chicken ....

I'd like to see it where one of the tournament staff or director must witness this infraction and leave it to their own discretion. If it was a blatant violation (running without a pfd) then DQ is warranted, if he is loading the boat or the co-anglers is getting on the dock, leave it alone.

As far as general violations, if the staff member is fishing the event they should be held to the same rules as all anglers and need a witness.

my 02

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:18 am

I think when trailering the boat, At the least the kill switch would have to be removed to hook the latch. It's common sense Ray.

I dont think they need to keep the life jacket on when stepping to the dock, or while putting the boat on the trailer. Lets enforce the rule to what it's intent is.

You have a way bigger chance of falling in while on the trolling motor fishing than you do sitting in the drivers seat at idle coming into the ramp. Yet you dont have to wear it while fishing.

And the Staff is the Staff and why would they need a witness to enforce the rules of the org that they WORK for?

semipro · Post by **semipro** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:26 am

Ray -

These are my thoughts and what I would hold my teams to :

Boater has his PFD on and zipped when launching.
Boater must keep PFD on and zipped while idling and waiting for his partner to be picked up.
Non-Boater has his PFD on the seat waiting for him and puts it on asap after stepping unto the boat (This violates the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. I don't expect the non-boater to wear his vest while parking the rig and walking down the ramp.).
Non-boater removes his vest and steps off the boat to get the rig for pulling out (again, violates the letter of the law).
Boater removes his vest to hook the boat up after driving on the trailer (again, violates the letter of the law).

I would not uphold a protest in any of these situations.

Mike Phua · Post by **Mike Phua** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:15 am

obviously you know I'm not a tournament director as a matter of fact I'm a flat out "Joe Nobody".........but for years and I mean years I've never seen anyone enforce the life Jacket rule after check in. After a team or individual is checked in that has to be the most ridiculous deal in the world to get Dq'd at that point. At that point that is someone being ticky tack to try and improve their perspective standings if they can get someone dq'd. I can see Dq'ing someone for full on blatant rule breaking but in the Marina? less than 5 miles an hour and your trying to put all your stuff away and get your catch ready to be bagged. Common? and don't hit me with the whole it's for your safety crap.............Very few of us have our jackets on in the marina during practice if at all. My 2 cents from a non director. BTW you can't improve your catch after checking in. I can see having your life jacket on but, having your catch disqualified for the day for not being clipped when putting your boat on the trailer is probably the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. MP

mike goodwin · Post by **mike goodwin** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:28 am

Ray, my .02 as an angler.

All jackets on before your number is called or you go to the end.
Once you check in with the check in boat you are free to remove
jackets if you desire to. Enough of this protest BS. People die
with seat belts on every day.

Catch a big one.....MG

drew · Post by **drew** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:36 am

I have been concerned about this in the past, so here is my two cents even though I'm not a TD. It always seems that there are disgruntled individuals that will scrutinize other competitors out of jealously or anger. If you can't beat them, then try to tarnish their reputation or get them DQ'ed.

If the individual that is attempting to filing a protest does not have a witness, then the TD should issue a warning. Otherwise if there are witnesses, I believe it is up to the TD to make the ruling. The TD should reserve the right to make his/her decision based on the facts and what could have resulted from the competitors negligence.

As a non-boater I usually wear my PFD on and off the boat. Sometimes I will toss my PFD back into the boat after exiting so I don't have to carry it back to the tow rig.

When putting a boat on the trailer it would be in possible to keep the big motor running if you leave the helm. One would have to shut the big motor off and wear their PFD to the bow.

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:49 am

mike goodwin wrote:Ray, my .02 as an angler.

All jackets on before your number is called or you go to the end.
Once you check in with the check in boat you are free to remove
jackets if you desire to. Enough of this protest BS. People die
with seat belts on every day.

Catch a big one.....MG

I think Mike's verbage is simple and best. I like it that way. Here's what I, a former TD, might suggest:

All jackets on before your boat number is called or you go to the end of the line. All jackets on from that point, until you hit the check in boat, any time your big motor is in operation.

sTony

brambo0311 · Post by **brambo0311** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:04 am

I think a better ? would be, What happend to bass fisherman? I swear the last few years it's like a bunch of guys lay in bed flickin there bean, thinking about what to b1tch about next. I selling everything and takin up sewing (less drama).

Ringer · Post by **Ringer** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:44 am

Most of ours say you have to be wearing upon takeoff and can remove the pfd once you enter the no wake zone when returning.

Rick G · Post by **Rick G** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:55 am

hippie wrote:The real question is should you be wearing your life jacket as your idling in from the incenuator. I think you should get the facts before you draw a conclusion. Ray I think you have fished enough tournies, and ran enough to know how you should handle the life jacket situation. Maybe you should ask all the tournament directors on california fishing forum to respond to this question.

Jason, I think you should have yours on while weighing our fish in the parking lot in case you fall in the tank. In fact Guy should have his on while cookin in case the grease tub overflows. I am with Phua [the warden] on this one all the way! Lets not lose sight of the ball here folks. Isn't it hard enough to live in California already? How about fun for a change. Rick G.

huddleston · Post by **huddleston** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:00 am

I believe MP hits the nail

FLW Tour:
Each contestant is required to wear a fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is in operation during practice and from boat check until weigh-in each day of the tournament.

FLW Series:
Each contestant is required to wear a fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is in operation from boat check until weigh-in each day of the tournament.

When the big motors running

During Practice
From boat check-in
Until Weigh -in

This is exactly what I do and what I see most guys do

2ndsuks · Post by **2ndsuks** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:43 am

mike goodwin wrote: Enough of this protest BS.

+1

Vern · Post by **Vern** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 10:14 am

I usually do not get involved in post like this. But this time I will. As a tornament director hear is my ruling on the tournaments I run. The boater must have his life jacket on and kill switch connected when ever he starts the big motor. Non boater must put his on when he gets into the boat. They both must have their jackets on when ideling out to blast off and on when ideling in to weigh in. Once they have weighed their fish in and recieved their weigh slip. as long as they are in the marina it is their decesion. As for a non boater stepping out to weigh the fish that again his decesion.
As for protest everyone that fishes staff boat or not go by the same rules.

I agree with Phua KEEP IT SIMPLE. Vern

Slippy · Post by **Slippy** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 10:21 am

i like beer

hippie · Post by **hippie** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 10:45 am

well ray how many years have you been into tournament fishing? im going to say over 20. Its commen sense and there is no grey line. Until your boat is on the trailer your life jacket has to be on. There has never been an issue on this. Phua is straight up wrong on his view too.
He has fished big tournies you all know it has to be on at all times even in the marina.
You know what it takes to hook up your boat to the trailer so obviously once your boat on the trailer your not floating anymore so you should be able to take off your jacket and buckle your boat so your boat doesn't fall down your bunkers.
The crazy thing is there has never been a problem with these rules until one guy just wasn't wearing his jacket while driving his boat weather it be 5mph or 2mph. The guy knew he was wrong. I never in my right mind heard of you being aloweed to idle around the marina with your jacket off even putting your stuff away its not hard to turn off your boat and handle your stuff and then start it again.
Please stop with the bull Ray your killing me. As a tournament director and a fellow angler like you are you should have no problem making a ruling on the life jacket rules nor tournament rules.
Rick you make a good point I am a small guy maybe I should wear my pfd while doing weigh ins i usually wear one in the spa at home

huddleston · Post by **huddleston** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 10:46 am

I think FLW says and makes it pretty simple.
Just before you motor your boat through check-in your jacket shall be on, and up until you start to bag your fish for weigh -in.
So the way I see it, you do not have to have your jacket on during the launch, getting it on the trailer, picking up your partner at the dock, or idling back to drop your partner to get your truck and trailer. Plus, after your fish are weighed, your done, tournament complete, history, done. Heck sometimes my partner may have some fans or family that came down to weigh-in and give him a beer. So he may more times then not is having one as I operate the boat. But only after weigh-in

hippie · Post by **hippie** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:01 am

where did you find until check in its until weigh ins ?
7. Safety

Safe boating must be observed at all times.

Each contestant is required to wear a fastened U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device anytime the combustion engine is in operation from boat check until weigh-in each day of the tournament.

All boats must be equipped with an emergency ignition-shutoff device that must be securely attached to the driverâ€™s body whenever the combustion engine is in operation.

At the discretion of the tournament director, tournament days may be shortened, postponed or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions

DL · Post by DL » Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:12 am

[quote]Each boat entered in a *** **** event must be equipped with a working ignition â€œKillâ€

huddleston · Post by **huddleston** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:26 am

Good job hippie

My interpretation of that rule is exactly what it says, big motors on "at check-in , just prior to weigh-in , going from one spot to the next, etc.. life jackets on with kill switch attached. But the other times they don't require your jacket to be on or kill switched attached.

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:28 am

hippie · Post by **hippie** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:36 am

Hey Hudd where do you see check in? It says weigh ins weigh ins are different from check in. check in is on the water you usually have your big motor on weigh ins are when your on land. Dl your right on on topic I almost walked up to the truck with my pFD this weekend. I probably will from now on

DL · Post by DL » Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:49 am

Ray, if I were re-writing the rule book, I would spell it out.

A life vest must be used by all competitors whenever the outboard engine is engaged. Coast Guard compliance for said life vests is mandatory. Life jackets MUST be worn at all times the outboard combustion engine is operating, this includes picking up and dropping off your co-angler, idling in the marina waiting for your tow vehicle, driving your boat on the trailer until it is no longer floating(this allows you to hook up the bow.) Co Anglers that do not have an approved PFD on when they are picked up at the dock, must dawn said PFD as soon as he/she sets foot on the boat if the combustion motor is running.

Yes this is long winded, but it should leave no doubt what the rule means. It is unfortunate that we, as anglers, have gotten to this point...but here we are.

1biggbass · Post by **1biggbass** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 12:51 pm

UNREAL -
As the monetary awards at these tournaments go up it seems that it is leading to alot of crying and whinning , between the Clean and Dry Rule at DV, and now the Lifevest Fiasco its really getting old.Why not take off your vest after checkin( not weigh in)?
Its hot and I have a long wait.I have a pounding headache.
I Idle around stowing gear and thinking about what should have been. Why does anyone have a problem with that?
Oh thats right.As Grover said"Isnt it bad enough we live in California ?" or something like that.Its Sad - So Sad
Cant we all just get along ?

huddleston · Post by **huddleston** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 12:54 pm

Hippie:

I was looking at the check-in as boat check. The way FLW checks your boat/live-wells "the drive-by". So you would need your jacket on by that point, when you idle by the FLW patio boat or your local TD. FLW: "boat number live wells on, pull your kill switch, good luck guys , I love it, I cant wait until the next FLW tournament .

HUDD

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:07 pm

DL wrote:Ray, if I were re-writing the rule book, I would spell it out.

A life vest must be used by all competitors whenever the outboard engine is engaged. Coast Guard compliance for said life vests is mandatory. Life jackets MUST be worn at all times the outboard combustion engine is operating, this includes picking up and dropping off your co-angler, idling in the marina waiting for your tow vehicle, driving your boat on the trailer until it is no longer floating(this allows you to hook up the bow.) Co Anglers that do not have an approved PFD on when they are picked up at the dock, must dawn said PFD as soon as he/she sets foot on the boat if the combustion motor is running.

This is actually the way I was thinking of re writing it. I like this as it speels it flat out cut and dry.
Sorry if some of you are upset or whatever but I think this needs to be done at least in my rules anyway.
Also I will be clarifying the protest from my staff. If any staff member makes a protest he needs to abide by the same rules as everyone else. He needs a witness. I do thank you all for your opinions ..... well most of you. I think most of you understand why I asked this of other tournament directors.
Mike M.Thanks for your input as a former director.
Vern as allways
Steve thanks as well.... Long time no see by the way.
Tony glad you gave some input as well.

The rest of you thanks.... Oh except the 2 Mikes.... Goodwin and Phua....... You are both donkey dreamers.....
Thanks again.
I think this thread is done because some people may get on this just to say something stupid or cheap shots at others.
Oh wait I just did that. Ha

huddleston · Post by **huddleston** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:28 pm

No donkeys No dreamers, Read the the rules. Seems simple to me if and only if you follow FLW guidelines as I stated. Plus most tournaments just say all FLW RULES ARE INFORCED.

Phuas got it, throw it the live well

HUDD

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:51 pm

Ray,
This is what I posted on another forum in response to the same question:

"Until you've officially weighed in your fish, you're still governed by the tournament rules. So you need to keep the lifejacket on and clipped/zipped until the boat is on the trailer, and the motor is off.
I'm guessing the life jacket rule is for insurance purposes, so, as long as you're still under the tournament rules, and therefore are still part of their "exposure", the jacket rule still applies."

Think, for a minute, what would happen if someone fell in at the dock, hit their head, and almost drowned. The tournament would be liable because they weren't required to be wearing their PFD, and you can be sure some jackass would sue. Even though he fell because he was a dumb ***, clumsey, or not paying attention, it would still fall on your head.
I've personally seen several people fall off the dock when either getting onto or off of a tournament boat. Both the dock and the boat are hard, and it's pretty easy to hit your head when you're falling.
As a tournament director, you need to protect yourself, and your tournament organization, by making sure you enforce every safety rule, or some jerk will surely try and take advantage of your "lapse".
It may not really be your lapse, but there will be a line of lawyers a mile long ready to say it's your fault.
I'd suggest you enforce the "anytime the big motor is on" rule for both anglers, and the kill switch portion until the boat is on the trailer, at which time, if the boater wants to leave the motor on while he latches the boat, he may disconnect the kill switch from his PFD, but he must continue to wear the PFD until he turns the motor off. Period.
If a guy can't jump from the boat to the dock, or from the dock to the boat, while wearing a PFD, he doesn't belong on a boat. And the boater can surely hand him the PFD before they put the boat in the water, so he has it when he gets on.
It will become a habit if it's enforced, and, like seat belts, can and probably will save someone's life.
At the least, it will save you from a nasty law suit.

Noluk · Post by **Noluk** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:16 pm

I believe the PFD rules originates with Insurance and liabilty issues and are designed to protect both the anglers AND the tournament orginization. I hate to say this but you (and/or the org) are going to need to do the conference call with lawyers and your insurace company to safely modify the rules.

It is fairly clear to me that what the rule means is: Anytime you can be considered a competitor in an event sponsered by this orginization and could in any way shape of form attempt to blame this orginization for any possible injury to yourself or others you must wear every current safety device while operating your vessel.

Rules for the tournaments should be a black and white issue. Even the stupid one that make no sense. When we start interperting rules that we follow then we start to stretch them. No wake means.. no wake or 5 mph. Check-in means be at this location by this time. Enforcment may be selective depending on the resources of the org but our compliance with them should not be. The protest rule is designed to let anglers police anglers. Yes a lifejacket protest in the loading area is not something I would lodge with a director but it is also a rule I would not violate. Many orgs have a rule that states you must report all violations of the rules you witness.... If you see something and let it go you can end up being DQ'd. Anglers need to know and follow all the rules, not just the ones we think matter. (Try a test one day tournament directors... have your boaters drive by and show their clipped lifejackets at weigh in and check in.. if you don't check it I bet half the anglers don't do it)

These rules are like going 5 mph over the speed limit on the highway. We all speed by varying amounts but if the man pulls you over and writes the ticket the only thing that matters is if you were speeding or not. Not if traffic was going that fast. Not if you were only speeding to pass someone. Were you speeding at the time is all that matters.

All that said, yes I break the lifejacket rule every tournament picking up the partner at the dock or dropping them to get the truck. God knows I absolutely hate the lifejacket all night in night tournaments rule. But, as someone who has fallen into the stupid lake in February, I understand why those rules are in place.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 3:06 pm

mark poulson wrote:
Think, for a minute, what would happen if someone fell in at the dock, hit their head, and almost drowned. The tournament would be liable because they weren't required to be wearing their PFD, and you can be sure some jackass would sue.

What if he fell while fishing, on the TM, and hit his head on the way out and drowned? Is that same jackass going to sue because the rules said he could take the life jacket off while fishing with the big motor off?

I mean we have all seen KB fall out of a boat...............

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 3:31 pm

If wearing your vest till the boats out of the water is the rule you TD's better put that in big BOLD letters or your gonna have a whole lot of DQ'ing to do. I have seen guys take off there vest once their boat is checked in at every tourney I have ever fished. I never seen or heard of a guy flying outta his boat in a 5mph...

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 3:34 pm

I will be making a post later today or tuesday with a rules amendment to the Top Stick Joe's tournaments. I myself as a tournament director feel like I need to protect the organization and make it clear how we word the rule.
I hate to make a rules amendment in the middle of a season but I am forced to do so and feel it is necessary to do so at this point.
I will make sure that it is talked about at the morning meeting as well.

birdi23nls · Post by **birdi23nls** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:00 pm

This reminds me of the hooks being inside the mouth argument we have every month or so...only more ridiculous.

I don't fish tourney's so I have no idea...but I'm no rat...that stuff comes back to bite you.

Wearing a life jacket is a good idea, no it's a great idea, and it is good that TD make it mandatory, but all of this is too much thinking in my opinion. Also, I know that I could not even imagine myself going up to a TD or anyone and tattling on someone that took his or her vest off too early.

mike goodwin · Post by **mike goodwin** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:02 pm

Ray, some people don't have to dream. Get em MP....MG

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:08 pm

you do know I am the biggest fan of MP & MG

Hope to see you soon Mike. Be safe on the water.

one fish wonder · Post by **one fish wonder** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:45 pm

Who would protest a team for not wearing their jacket in the marina after they have checked in at the end of the day

They are in it for the wrong reason! Have some fun people and beat someone fair and square!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Todd

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:31 pm

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Team Pollard · Post by **Team Pollard** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:26 pm

I agree With G-Man- Every tournament I fished after the boats check in at the 5"s for weigh in people take there vest off, tournament directors would have to DQ 90% of the field

Brian D. · Post by **Brian D.** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:32 am

swank · Post by **swank** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:21 am

i think helmets should be required...

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:54 am

and wrist guards

lunker punker · Post by **lunker punker** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:17 am

Mabye a pair of mma gloves,some condoms ,and a ball gag.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 2:37 pm

Brian wrote:
mark poulson wrote:
Think, for a minute, what would happen if someone fell in at the dock, hit their head, and almost drowned. The tournament would be liable because they weren't required to be wearing their PFD, and you can be sure some jackass would sue.

What if he fell while fishing, on the TM, and hit his head on the way out and drowned? Is that same jackass going to sue because the rules said he could take the life jacket off while fishing with the big motor off?

I mean we have all seen KB fall out of a boat...............

Brian,
I can guarantee you that, if someone fell in and drowned during a tournament while they were on the TM fishing, or landing a fish, or relieving themselves off the back when the front guy hit the TM without warning, there would be a huge lawsuit, and the tournament organization would be dragged in big time.
There would be a line of personel injury lawyers a mile long outside the door of the family of the deceased, and someone would sue.
No tournament organization could survive that kind of suit. The bad publicity alone would cause their insurance carrier to cancel them immediately, and no other carrier would touch them with a ten foot pole.
It seems to me that people who are so upset about rules have never had to be the one responsible in case something goes wrong, or they would never be so selfrighteous in fighting against them.
I own and run my own business, pay thousands a year for insurance, and hate it. But I also know that I won't lose my business, my home, and everything I own because some moron decided to sue me and I wasn't covered. The insurance dompany has my back.
The other side of the equation is I do everything I can to limit their exposure by creating a safe work environment, making sure it stays safe, and doing things right.
Tournament trails all have insurance, and couldn't stay in business without it. The State requires certificates of insurance from any organization that wants to hold a tournament on a public lake. And if, in the eyes of their insurance carriers, these organizations aren't doing everything they can to provide a safe environment for their participants, they'll lose their insurance protection, and be out of business.
I'm not saying its right or wrong. It is just the way things are.

Jeff Jewell · Post by **Jeff Jewell** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:33 pm

Damn seems like alot of crying about vests, and anyone who protests a pfd rule inside the marina needs to learn how to fish....

90% of the guys I see including me...Launch boat and idle out of the way, get the vests out while waiting for partner, float around and BS with each other on TM till TD starts getting serious then but on vests and get ready to go,
come back in get on TM and remove vest, Partner weighs fish gets truck while I put stuff up including vests, and then I use the big motor to put boat on trailer... DQ the whole damn field and see your numbers next month..just because someone is acting like a Biatch

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