[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 81 (Monday, April 28, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 22991-22992] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-10678] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Coast Guard [CGD 95-041] Propeller Injury Prevention Involving Rented Boats AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments on the effectiveness of specific devices and interventions which have been suggested for reducing the number of recreational boating accidents involving rented power boats in which individuals are injured by the propeller. Comments are also solicited on the extent to which such devices or interventions may reduce the severity of injuries to individuals involved in propeller-strike accidents. DATES: Comments must be received July 28, 1997. ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Executive Secretary, Marine Safety Council (G-LRA/3406) (CGD 95-041), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001, or deliver them to room 3406 at the same address between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-267-1477. The Executive Secretary maintains the public docket. Comments, and documents as indicated in this preamble will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at room 3406, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randolph Doubt, Project Manager, Recreational Boating Product Assurance Division, (202) 267-6810. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Request for Comments The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to submit written data, views, or arguments. Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify this docket (CGD 95-041) and the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should enclose stamped, self- addressed postcards or envelopes. Background Information In a request for comments published in the Federal Register on May 11, 1995 60 FR 25191, the Coast Guard solicited comments from all segments of the marine community and other interested persons on various aspects of propeller accident avoidance. In an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the Federal Register on March 26, 1996 [59 FR 13123], the Coast Guard solicited information to supplement what had been received in response to the original request for comments in order to determine the appropriate Federal and State roles in reducing propeller-strike incidents; whether governmental intervention is appropriate; and if so, whether it should be directed at the vessels, their manufacturers, their operators, their owners, or the companies leasing such vessels. Based on comments received, other research efforts and after consultation with the National Boating Safety Advisory Council in November 1996, several potential devices and interventions have been suggested to aid in this endeavor. Persons submitting [[Page 22992]] comments should do as directed under request for comments above, and reply to the following specific suggested devices and interventions. Form letters simply citing anecdotal evidence or stating support for or opposition to regulations, without providing substantive data or arguments do not supply support for regulations. 1. Swimming Ladders (a) Location: Several serious propeller-strike accidents have occurred when individuals were swimming near the stern of a rented boat and someone on board the boat engaged the engine. Prohibiting the location of boarding ladders or swim platforms adjacent to or over a propeller would reduce the potential for such accidents, especially on larger boats when visibility in the water area about the boat is impaired or restricted. (b) Interlocks: Another suggested device is to require the installation of an interlock to prevent engagement of the propeller(s) when a swimming ladder is in the deployed position. For swimming ladders which are always in the deployed position, a guard preventing use of the ladder would be coupled with an interlock. 2. Large Warning Notices People swimming near the stern of boats with the engine(s) running may not be aware of the danger of being struck by the propeller(s) if the engine(s) are deliberately or accidentally put into gear. The operators of propeller-driven rental boats may lack sufficient boating safety education to conscientiously determine the whereabouts of passengers on board before putting the engine(s) in gear. Requiring the display of large warning notices at the helm and on the transom or engine would warn both vessel operators, passengers and swimmers of the location of the propeller(s) and danger. 3. Clear Vision Aft The location of the helm on rental houseboats and other boats with a large amount of freeboard aft, severely limits the visibility of individuals who may be in the water near the transom area. On rental boats with poor visibility aft, requiring TV monitoring of the area aft of the boat would alert vessel operators to the presence of swimmers in the water near the transom area. 4. Propeller Shaft Engagement Alarm Warning signals which sound when trucks and other commercial vehicles are put in reverse are useful in warning pedestrians. Requiring the installation of a similar alarm or other signal on propeller-driven rental boats when the shaft is engaged in either direction, would alert swimmers to the danger of a rotating propeller. 5. Kill Switch/Auto Throttle and Neutral Return In some boating accidents involving rented houseboats, the helm was left unattended even though the engine was at idle with the propeller engaged, while passengers were either in the water or diving overboard. In other accidents, the helm was vacated due to an accidental fall or ejection overboard which allowed the boat to begin turning in a circle and to run down the former occupant(s). Requiring installation of automatic devices (no preliminary operator action necessary) to stop the engine or return the throttle to idle and the transmission to neutral, if the helm is vacated, might reduce the number of such accidents. 6. Education One of the leading causes of all recreational boating accidents is operator inattention or carelessness. A lack of boating education or boating experience is a frequent cause of accidents involving rental boats. Requiring a safety and operational checkout for rental craft operators and their passengers consisting of education specifically directed to the location and dangers of propellers, might reduce the numbers of accidents in which individuals renting boats are struck by propellers. Comments and information regarding propeller guards, pump jets (jet drives), alternatives to propeller guards, and any other devices that might reduce the likelihood of an accident or the severity of an injury are also solicited. Technical information received will be forwarded to the Marine Technology Society (MTS) which is currently conducting an availability search for off-the-shelf propeller guards, pump jets, alternatives to guards, prototypes, devices with potential for reducing accidents, and related literature. This will be followed by a period of testing and analysis, under a Coast Guard grant. The Coast Guard will consider all relevant comments in detering what action may be necessary to address propeller accidents involving rented propeller-driven vessels. Dated: April 17, 1997. T.J. Meyers, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Director, Operations Policy. [FR Doc. 97-10678 Filed 4-25-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-14-M