Contact a State Representative
The Firestone tires on Ford Explorers killed 200 people in rollovers between 1993 and 2002. During that same period, canoes and kayaks took a thousand US victims.**
|
|
|
Contact a State Representative |
State Representative Shirley Gomes (Republican), Harwich and State Representative William M. Straus (Democrat), Mattapoisett have filed a joint bill to require that life jackets be worn by kayakers year round and includes training measures for kayak professionals. The bill is House H-4456. This amendnent was heard by the Joint Committee on Public Safety February 26th and awaits the decision of that committee when and how it will move forward. This bi-partisan bill is being sponsored by Senator Robert O'Leary (Democrat) in the State Senate. Now would be a good time to contact your representatives, etc. if you want them to know your opinion on this bill.
You may also write a letter of support for H-4456 to:
Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, Chairman
Joint Committee on Public Safety
State House
Boston, MA 02133
 |
 |
| Sarah Aronoff | Mary Jagoda |
By JOHN LEANING
CC Times STAFF WRITER
HARWICH - (November 1, 2003) The idea was so simple and made so much sense, Harbor Master Tom Leach called state Rep. Shirley Gomes on his cell phone from his work boat earlier this week.
He was pulling out channel markers for the winter, talking with a co-worker. Both had spent time searching for two young women in kayaks who lost their lives last month.
The two had departed Oct. 12 for a brief jaunt in two borrowed kayaks from a private beach in Harwich Port. After being gone almost an hour, friends notified police that they were missing, and a massive, three-day air, sea and land search was launched.
Only the body of Mary Jagoda, 20, of Huntington, N.Y. was recovered. She was not wearing a life jacket. The body of her companion, 19-year-old Sarah Aronoff, of Bethesda, Md., remains missing.
If the two had been wearing life jackets, the outcome might have been much different.
The families of the two missing young women, reached yesterday by Coast Guard Capt. Judith Keene, commander of Coast Guard Group Woods Hole, both said they would support the idea of having their daughters' names attached to the bill, which would become an amendment to current law. "Both fathers answered the calls, and both thought it would be a good idea to do whatever they could to ensure that what happened to their daughters does not happen to someone else," Keene said. "I think it makes sense," Gomes said. "Enforcement may still be a problem, and education is still key. Support is good."
O'Leary, himself a kayaker, said he enthusiastically supports the proposal.
 |
| Harbormaster Tom Leach onboard COMMANDER in thick fog. Fog is dangerous! It can play tricks on your ears and without a premonition of direction (from wind or waves) you become readily disoriented. Something as simple as a hand bearing compass can make all the difference in finding the nearest shore. |
Chatham Harbor Master Stuart Smith encouraged Leach to push the idea, adding that he didn't know why the state didn't require year-round life jacket use long ago. "It would go a long way to making the water a little safer," he said. The proposal also got the thumbs up from the head of the Massachusetts Environmental Police, Col. Richard Murray, who said the mandatory life jacket requirement should be expanded to all paddle craft, including canoes and kayaks.
(Published: November 1, 2003)
Copyright © Cape Cod Times.
 |
| Harbormasters testify at the State House for Kayak Safety. (l to r) Jay Wilbur (Vineyard Haven), Paul Milone (Weymouth), State Rep. Shirley Gomes, Tom Leach (Harwich), Stuart Smith (Chatham). Photo credit Mark Molloy. |
Also speaking in support of the bill at the hearing were four harbormasters, Stuart Smith (Chatham), Tom Leach (Harwich), Jay Wilbur (Vineyard Haven), Paul Milone (Weymouth). The bill if passed would amend state law which currently allows kayakers to not have to wear a personal flotation device between May 15 and September 15. The bill is named after two drowning victims at Harwich Port in October.
Gomes and the harbormasters made some key points about the proposal and kayaking:
**"The Ford Explorer with Firestone tires was America's best-selling SUV. But it killed around 200 people in rollovers between 1993 and 2002.
However, in million use hours, canoes and kayaks are over 15 times more deadly! One thousand (1000) dead US victims 1993-2002! ", Tim Ingram - Canoe and Kayak Scam Kills 1000 Americans
Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, Chairman
Critical Judgement - Understanding Canoe and Kayak Fatalities (an ACA 32 page report)
(ed.note. Officer Paul Nichols was a veteran with 15 years on the Tisbury Police force, a great family man and husband with two kids. Reports say that he was the kind of police officer who emulated the good of man. Nichols reportedly would anonymously leave christmas presents for the children of needy families of Martha's Vineyard.)
Representative Shirley Gomes Dear Representative Gomes,
We, the parents of Mary Jagoda, are extremely grateful for the search efforts made to find our daughter and Sarah Aronoff. We knew the entire community joined with our prayers for success.
We agree with you that if some good can come from something so horrible, we should attempt to do it. Therefore we join with you in supporting changes in the law to improve kayak safety. We believe that if Mary and Sarah had a life jacket, compass, and whistle, the search would have had a happy conclusion.
Thank you for proposing these changes that can save other families from this heartbreak.
Yours truly,
Louis and Anna May Jagoda
c. State Senator R. O'Leary, Massachusetts Senate
State Representative Shirley Gomes State Senator Robert O'Leary Dear Representative Gomes and Senator O'Leary: I understand that you are co-sponsoring legislation in the Massachusetts legislature relating to kayak safety. I am in full support of this legislation and fully supportive of the bill carrying the names of Mary Jagoda and my daughter, Sarah Aronoff. If the requirements for a personal flotation device, compass, and whistle save even one life in the future, the legislation could give some positive meaning to the tragedy that has befallen both of our families.
Thank you. Sincerely, Arthur Aronoff
cc: Tom Leach
11/3/03
Richard Hiscock Tom,
I saw this article this morning and it was dé·jà vu. I had the about the same reaction 25-years ago with the CAPT COSMO went missing: "There should be a law" that requires modern emergency rescue equipment on commercial fishing vessels.'
I hope it doesn't take you ten years to get a year-round PFD law for kayaks in Mass.
Let me know if there is anything that I can do to help ... even from Vermont.
Regards,
William A. Mason, Chief of Police, Harwich, Massachusetts (11/20/03)
The consencous was the Bill should be kept intact in its current form with the following changes:
Further:
The warrant officer Galvin said it was very important to get the message about these requirements including sticker/placard if they become law out to kayakers visiting the State.
Jack Mason said there is another kayak bill in the legislature currently to require kayakers to display a flag while kayaking. The sponsor is unkown and who the proponents are we are not sure, however, it did not come from tyhe kayak community.
Al Johnson indicated that this working group would do well to invite industry representatives included when we meet again.
Bob Sweet said the General Court needs to be made aware of the huge disperity in sea safety knowledgeable between sea-kayak group and the low-end recreational kayak comunity.
To: Tom
Leach Nov.28, 2003 ( Heinz said he could not open my first E-mail , via
Microsoft Works) Subject:
The Mary Jagoda / Sara Aronoff Kayak Safety Amendment. Mandate:
Compass, Whistle and Life Jacket. House
Bill Docket #4610 Many will
argue that the proposed regulation will take away more freedom from the
individual. This maybe true, however, I would like to look at the regulation
from a strictly business point of view. If this regulation was enforced at the
time of this unfortunate incident the following may have occurred. #1)If the
girls were wearing life jackets they may have been rescued alive or their
bodies would have been located in a reasonable period of time. #2) If
they had a compass they would have been able to paddle in the right direction,
north, and landed at a Harwich beach. #3 Using
a whistle in the fog would have given rescue people an even chance to locate
them. Not
having any of the above inexpensive items cost not only the girls their lives
but both local , state and federal taxpayers hundreds of thousand of dollars to
try and locate them both alive and or deceased. The above
scenario is not unlike the motorcycle helmet law. The motorcycle people will
argue that they want the freedom of choice to wear or not wear a helmet. I
think that’s admirable provided they assume total financial responsibility for
their long term care if they become brain damaged or paraplegics from an
accident and not require taxpayers to pay for their medical expenses. So I
agree that freedom of choice is a desired goal, however ,with that freedom
comes financial responsibility that should not be placed on the backs of the
taxpayers. J.F.
Coyle, According to USCG sources preliminary data 1/3 of boating fatalities in the first district are in paddleboats and for the first time in 2002 the deaths at the hands of kayaks (7) exceeded canoes (6).
Dan McPherson, President Dated : December 11, 2003 at 09:53:54 This is a great idea you are
lighting a fire under. I'm sure it would mean a lot to the families to see this bill become a law. I see three key words: SAFETY - EDUCATION - ENFORCEMENT.
Mike Cienava
From: Lawrence Oswald [mailto://///@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2004 4:51 PM Subject: Mandates? I vote NO. The proposal to make the wearing of PFD mandatory is an example of
oppressive government. I encourage you to educate the public to
whatever extent you want. For many years and thousands of times I have
kayaked on lakes and rivers, flatwater and calm. I have never
come close to getting wet. For these situations wearing a PFD
is NOT
necessary. When I venture out in Long Island Sound I wear my
PFD
and usually install the skirt. Please recognize that not all
situations call
for wearing the PFD.
Furthermore there is an issue of freedom here. Is it the role of
government to protect citizens FROM THEMSELVES. I think not. Of course
there is an issue of safety also. Perhaps you could legislate
that all
kayaks must have flotation. You could require that all kayaks
sold provide safety manuals. You could have a website where
people could
take a safety quiz and be issued a safety certificate. Educate
me all you want but please do not MANDATE.
Lawrence Oswald
========================== thread
Tom Leach Larry,
Thank you for your constructive criticism. Some folks don't wear their
seat belts here in Massachusetts even if that is not their choice.
I don't think you would ever see a Harbormaster or Massachusetts Environmental
police officer giving more than a warning for someone kayaking in what
you propose
as a safe "shallow" area. Open water, lakes and deep rivers
however are
another matter and a constant threat even to experience
kayakers.
Regards, Tom Leach
========================== thread
From: Lawrence Oswald
Dear Tom
The public should send comments of support to:
Joint Committee on Public Safety
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Or you can
Send a letter to the Editor
using free Mass Library Association Service about the
Jagoda-Aronoff Kayak Safety Bill
LETTERS, etc.
Life jacket mandate should apply to all
I wholeheartedly agree with the proposed amendment to the boating safety law requiring all paddle boaters to wear life jackets all year and to carry a whistle and a compass on board.
I would like to see the law further amended so adults who have children aboard boats of all kinds would also be required to wear life jackets at all times.
As a frequent kayaker, I cannot tell you how many times my husband and I have seen adults and children go out in boats, the children wearing life jackets and the adults not. This sends a terrible message to the children aboard (when I grow up, I won't have to wear a life jacket). Furthermore, if there is an accident, without life jackets on, the adults may not survive to help their children to safety.
I would like to see all boaters required to wear life jackets at all times, but I guess that will never happen.
JOYCE I. KEAY (11/10/03 CCT)
East Falmouth
Critical Judgement Report available on-line
Tom,
Take a look at this publication. It's called Critical Judgement. It's a report on canoe
and kayak fatalities. The association has the print copy(Dave F has currently) It should have
some good quotes/reference for the press release.
Regards, Joe
Police Chiefs Vote to not take a Vote
(11/18/03)Harwich Police Chief Bill Mason met with the Cape & Islands Police Chiefs Association yesterday and reported that their group voted not to take a stand on the bill. This comes as a dissapointment to Mason, however, as it was explained the CIPCA has many irons in the political fire of their own (about 8 bills, I checked the website) and the feeling was that they had their own battles. However, they were not against kayak safety in any form. The fact that one of their own, Tisbury police officer Paul J. Nichols was a kayak drowning vistim in 2000 did not enter the conversation. Tom Leach
EMS On-Board
(11/19/03) I received a phone call this evening at home from Roger Poore CEO of Eastern Montain Sports. The EMS organizatioon is in full support of the Mass Kayak amendment we are pushing and has offered its services in anyway possible to assist us in convincing te legislature that kayak safety must be taken most seriously. They have the footage we need showing how difficult self rescue is in sport kayaks. He also wants me to contact Luke Foley at EMS in Canton (781-401-9316) who he has appointed for assisting us in this cause. Tom leach
Mass Environmental Police On-Board
(11/19/03) Captain Richard Murray Environmental Police contacted me this afternoon. He said from his point of view the Environamental Police are onboard for the Kayak Safety Amendment in any form. He is glad that this is coming as a grass-roots push and believes it will be very effective in passing. We spoke about the possibilities of tying canoes into the bill. I think that that issue pales against the huge numbers of kayaks we see in local waters. Muray has agreed to have his team meet with me next week. Tom Leach
Massachusetts Fire Chief Association votes to Endorse Safety Amendment
(11/20/03) Chief William Schwertfeger of Chatham reports that today the Massachusetts Fire Chief Association voted to endorse Jagoda-Aronoff Kayak Safety Amendment at there regular monthly meeting.
The Chatham Fire Chief said that it was an easy sell and went unanimously. Kayak Safety and prevention of drowning is always on the minds of our Emergency Medical leaders.
Tom Leach
Letter of Authorization Jagoda Family
Huntington, New York 11743
November 4, 2003
District Office
2 Oracle Square
Orleans, MA 02653
c. Harbormaster Tom Leach, Harwich Port
Letter of Authorization Aronoff Family
Bethesda, Maryland 20816
November 3, 2003
State House
Room 542
Boston, MA 02133
email: Rep.ShirleyGomes@hou.state.ma.us
State House
Room 416-A
Boston, MA 02133
email: ROleary@senate.state.ma.us
Will it take ten years?!
Vermont
Richard
Harbormasters Association(s) - Support Kayak Safety Bill
(Bourne, MA) - The Massachusetts Harbormasters Association and the Cape Cod & Islands Harbormasters Association at their regular meeting (11/13/03) at the Bridge Restaurant in Bourne voted to support the safety aspect of AN ACT RELATIVE TO KAYAKS to require kayak operators to wear an approved life jacket carry a whistle and have a compass. A press release will be prepared.
Kayak Outfitter Supports Safety Legislation
As an outfitter and retail kayak/canoe store owner and Board member of P.P.A., the Professional Paddlesports Association, I strongly suggest that people in the business of paddlesports be involved in any legislation or amendments to existing laws.
Anonymous (11/24/03)
Police Chief Supports Kayak Safety
"On behalf of the Harwich Police Department I would like to provide my full support regarding the pending Act "Relative to Kayaks" ". "The cost of not having this basic safety equipment was clearly evident when two kayakers out of Harwich Port recently lost their lives." "Upon passage, it will be imperative that the public is well informed about the law and educated regarding its purpose. I t would be couter productive if citizens in any way develop an opinion that the law is designed for revenue enhancement or to promote intrusive intervention".
Sub-Group Meeting on Kayak Safety held at Bourne (11/25/03)
In a recent meeting envolving the Harbormasters Association subcomittee on this topic and officials held in Bourne,
several strategies were considered about amending the bill to create more impact.
The discussion group consisted of Jack Mason, State Env. Police Boating Safety Education Officer; Alfred Johnson, 1st District USCG Recreational Boating Safety Officer; Kevin Galvin, USCG Group Woods Hole; Robert Sweet, USPS; George Weinert, Bourne Harbormaster; Tom leach, Harwich Harbormaster.
With Freedom comes Financial Responsibility
Harwich, MA
More Statistics Kayak Sales Climbing Through the Roof
Last year kayaks represented 52% of all boats sold nationally. Canoe sales have flat-lined at 100,000 sales annually while kayak sales have climbed to an all time high of 350,000 units in 2002. (US Power Squadron website)
Harbormasters Association(s) Release Press Release supporting Mary Jagoda / Sarah Aronoff Bill
(Bourne, MA) - The Massachusetts Harbormasters Association and the Cape Cod & Islands Harbormasters Association at their regular meeting (11/13/03) at the Bridge Restaurant in Bourne voted to support the safety aspect of AN ACT RELATIVE TO KAYAKS to require kayak operators to wear an approved life jacket carry a whistle and have a compass.
Full text of the Harbormaster Association(s) press release (12/3/03) is available at: Harbormasters Support Kayak Safety Bill
North Shore Harbormasters Association Signs-On it's Support
Tom,
By executive committee vote today we endorsed your effort and will get full
membership vote at our December meeting. Please include us in your press
release.
Thanks
Northshore Harbormasters Association
(12/4/03)
THIS MESSAGE IS FROM KAYAK BILL WEBPAGE PAD (12/7/03) TO TOM LEACH [comments] Any further government rules and regulations are not needed for the safe operation of kayaks. There are sufficient rules in place. Educational programs are sufficient. The proposed Kayak Bill is intrusive and misguided. Individual adult kayakers should retain the freedom of choice to decide whether to wear a PFD. [env_report] REMOTE_HOST,REMOTE_ADDR,HTTP_USER_AGENT
????????????
101 Deaths Nationally Per Year
According to the United States Coast Guard Boating Statistics report for year 2001, there were 101 deaths associated with Canoe's and Kayaks. Of those, 93% were due to drowning. The Coast Guard estimates that 84% of drowning victims in the report would have survived if they had been wearing a PFD (life jacket).
Three Key Words: SAFETY - EDUCATION - ENFORCEMENT
Subject: Re: Mary Jagoda - Sarah Aronoff Kayak Safety Bill Press Release
I also oppose seat belt LAWS, helmet LAWS etc.
To: tleach@town.harwich.ma.us
Coventry CT
Should it be that you were right. However here in Connecticut in my little lake one of my neighbors got a ticket for not wearing a PFD while sitting fishing in his canoe. Not all enforcement officials have brains.
Incidentally I also oppose seat belt LAWS, helmet LAWS etc. I strongly approve of education so that people can make their own intelligent informed decisions.
Larry Oswald
Old Adage
Jagoda Family thanks kindness of people of Massachusetts
12/17/2003
We would like to express our gratitude for the effort your organization made in the search for our daughter Mary. We will never get over this loss, but we have some consolidation from knowing how exhaustive the search was and the kindness of the people of Massachusetts.
Thank you. Louis and Anna May Jagoda
Enter an email address
below to tell someone about the Mary Jogada-Sarah Aronoff Kayak Safety Bill
HARWICH PORT - The day started with promise yesterday for searchers looking for two kayakers missing from Harwich Port. By day's end, a weary multi-agency search team - and the family of the two young women - had nearly lost hope.
"It doesn't look good," Chatham Fire Chief William Schwerdtfeger said.
Despite a full day of canvassing Chatham's South Monomoy Island by foot, with helicopters, boats and track dogs, searchers found no sign of Mary Jagoda, 20, of Huntington, N.Y., and Sarah Aronoff, 19, of Bethesda, Md.
The Coast Guard cutter Jefferson Island out of Portland, Maine, continued the search in Nantucket Sound last night. Searchers plan to visit Monomoy Island again today.
The pair has been missing since 3 p.m. Sunday, when they hopped aboard two kayaks for what was supposed to be a quick close-to-shore paddle. But thick fog hanging just offshore quickly enveloped the women.
Their boyfriends, who were waiting for their turn in the boats, called for help about 50 minutes later.
Investigators have been unable to determine whether the women were wearing life jackets.
Buoyed by news early in the day that the two boats had been found, capsized and lashed together, floating near South Monomoy Island in Chatham, rescuers headed out to the island to begin looking.
The kayaks were found in an area known as Pollock Rip, just south of the island.
Crews from the Coast Guard Station in Chatham, Harwich Fire Department and harbor master's office, Chatham Fire Department and harbor master's office, Yarmouth harbor master's office and Barnstable County Sheriff's Department took part in the search.
Two sheriff's department tracking dogs, German shepherds Condor and Danny, were taken aboard a Chatham harbor master's boat shortly before noon by their handlers, Sgt. Barney Murphy and Sgt. Pat Martin. They joined the group already on the island.
Despite the presence of fresh footprints on the beach, the dogs never picked up a scent, according to Chatham Harbor Master Stuart Smith.
Crystal-clear conditions made the search by air ideal, but a Coast Guard helicopter saw no sign of the women after hovering up and down the 5-mile-long island all day.
A foot patrol that covered the entire undulating barrier beach spit also found no evidence of the women, according to Tim Millar of Harwich, who volunteered to help in the search along with Jim Coyle from the Harwich Harbormasters Office.
By day's end yesterday, Louis Jagoda, the father of one of the missing women, was downcast, too.
"A couple of hours ago, I was encouraged, but right now I'm wondering why they haven't been found," he said from the Coast Guard station in Woods Hole, where he and his wife, Anna May, were being briefed with news as it came out of Chatham.
Two Kayakers Missing - Feared Drowned
Hope wanes for missing kayakers, a search of South Monomoy finds no sign of the two women who paddled into the fog inadvertently Sunday.
By ROBIN LORD
Cape Cod Times (10/14/03)
