Havasu_Dreamin
03-05-2004, 07:34 AM
From Todays Havasu News Herald
Calif. legislator targets CO poisonings
By Brian Wedemeyer
A California lawmaker has proposed a bill intended to prevent more deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning around boats.
Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, last month proposed legislation that, among other things, would make it a minor crime to have a boat engine running while someone is occupying the water within 20 feet of the rear of the vessel.
“In the last few years, there have been dozens of deaths around the country, of both children and adults, due to CO poisoning while they are swimming near or being dragged behind boats,” said Koretz in a prepared statement. “It’s a very scary phenomenon that everyone should know about.”
Carbon monoxide poisoning at the Bridgewater Channel in Lake Havasu City has become a major issue during the past year. The channel attracts hundreds of boaters and partygoers on busy summer weekends, including many from California.
The Arizona Department of Health Services, which participated in some air quality testing, determined that a public health hazard existed last Memorial Day weekend. That same weekend, Mark Tostado, drowned in the channel. An autopsy later identified carbon monoxide as a secondary cause of death. The victimÂ’s family later filed a $2 million wrongful death claim against the city, which rejected the claim.
Assembly Bill 2222 has been dubbed “Anthony and Stacy’s Law,” named after 11-year-old Anthony Farr and 15-year-old Stacy Beckett, who both died while bodysurfing behind a boat.
“Unfortunately, their families learned about this risk after it was too late — but they are now on a mission of love,” Koretz said. “They want to make sure others never suffer the kind of senseless tragedy they have had to endure.”
The bill also would require two warning stickers on any new or used boats, and calls on boat manufacturers to launch an extensive public awareness campaign until carbon monoxide emissions are dramatically reduced.
Last week, the Lake Havasu City Council received a report from a private consultant who conducted a summer-long air quality evaluation in the channel. City staff is currently analyzing a list of options presented by the consultant before making recommendations to the council at a future date. Mayor Bob Whelan said the city would take corrective action prior to Memorial Day weekend.
Commentary
While this obviously is an issue, to create more laws, at least from a criminal standpoint, is ridiculous! And it appears that the main reason for this due to the teak surfing. While I feel for the parents of these kids that were killed as a result of teak surfing the parents are the ones to blame, not the boat manufacturers! When are people going to stand up and start taking responsibility for thier own actions!?!?!?!?!?
Calif. legislator targets CO poisonings
By Brian Wedemeyer
A California lawmaker has proposed a bill intended to prevent more deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning around boats.
Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, last month proposed legislation that, among other things, would make it a minor crime to have a boat engine running while someone is occupying the water within 20 feet of the rear of the vessel.
“In the last few years, there have been dozens of deaths around the country, of both children and adults, due to CO poisoning while they are swimming near or being dragged behind boats,” said Koretz in a prepared statement. “It’s a very scary phenomenon that everyone should know about.”
Carbon monoxide poisoning at the Bridgewater Channel in Lake Havasu City has become a major issue during the past year. The channel attracts hundreds of boaters and partygoers on busy summer weekends, including many from California.
The Arizona Department of Health Services, which participated in some air quality testing, determined that a public health hazard existed last Memorial Day weekend. That same weekend, Mark Tostado, drowned in the channel. An autopsy later identified carbon monoxide as a secondary cause of death. The victimÂ’s family later filed a $2 million wrongful death claim against the city, which rejected the claim.
Assembly Bill 2222 has been dubbed “Anthony and Stacy’s Law,” named after 11-year-old Anthony Farr and 15-year-old Stacy Beckett, who both died while bodysurfing behind a boat.
“Unfortunately, their families learned about this risk after it was too late — but they are now on a mission of love,” Koretz said. “They want to make sure others never suffer the kind of senseless tragedy they have had to endure.”
The bill also would require two warning stickers on any new or used boats, and calls on boat manufacturers to launch an extensive public awareness campaign until carbon monoxide emissions are dramatically reduced.
Last week, the Lake Havasu City Council received a report from a private consultant who conducted a summer-long air quality evaluation in the channel. City staff is currently analyzing a list of options presented by the consultant before making recommendations to the council at a future date. Mayor Bob Whelan said the city would take corrective action prior to Memorial Day weekend.
Commentary
While this obviously is an issue, to create more laws, at least from a criminal standpoint, is ridiculous! And it appears that the main reason for this due to the teak surfing. While I feel for the parents of these kids that were killed as a result of teak surfing the parents are the ones to blame, not the boat manufacturers! When are people going to stand up and start taking responsibility for thier own actions!?!?!?!?!?