PARASAILOR KILLED IN 40-FOOT FALL WAS HONOLULU MAN  POSTED: Apr 30, 2009   PARASAIL ACCIDENT IN HAWAII   By Craig Gima  POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Apr 30, 2009 STATE OF FLORIDA LAWMAKERS WERE UNABLE TO AGREE ON PARASAIL REGULATIONS DURING THE 2008 SESSION.     The PSC fully supports and is actively assisting State of Florida Officials in their quest to pass much needed regulations for commercial parasailing.  The proposed regulations will not only stabilize the industry, but encourage new insurance markets and operator association choices.   > more info         >View 1st Amended Bill    >View 2nd Amended Bill   > more updates   /  NEWS LINKS   1  2  3  4  5  >more links

Click here to view a flash video pictorial biography of Mark McCulloh's 30 plus years of Inventions and Innovations for parasailing.       1971 Tandem Bar for Parasailing.   Key Biscayne, Florida > learn more       1971  Stationary Platform     Key Biscayne, Florida > learn more       1972  Motorized Platform     Key Biscayne, Florida > learn more       1974  World's First Winchboat / US Pat No. 3,987,746  Key Biscayne, Florida > learn more       1980  Military Training Winchboat   Turkey Point, Florida > learn more       1985  Aerial Recliner Passenger Support / US Pat No. 4,738,414  Marathon, Florida   > learn more       1986  Outboard Powered Winchboat    Key Biscayne, Florida > learn more       1987  Tandem Skyrider    Marathon, Florida   > learn more       1989  Mega Yacht Winchboat   Marathon, Florida    > learn more       1994 Parasail Rope Guide / US Patent No. 5,367,972   Marathon, Florida    > learn more       1994  First Disney Operation     Orlando, Florida  > learn more       1994  UL Approved Sportboat      Orlando, Florida  > learn more       1994   Conversion Kits for Harness Winchboats         Orlando, Florida > learn more       1995  Surveillance Skyrider / US Pat No. D392,242     Orlando, Florida > learn more       1996 Conversion Flight Deck    Orlando, Florida > learn more       1996  Auto-Winch System        Orlando, Florida > learn more       1998 Three Passenger Skyrider / US Pat No. # 5,816,184    Orlando, Florida > learn more       1999  Riser Assembly for Parasailing / US Pat No. 6,085,682  Orlando, Florida McCulloh's invention inspired the riser line assembly design utilized on NASA’s X-38 Crew Rescue Vehicle.   > learn more              NASA's X-38

Today Winchboat parasailing represents more than 95% of all commercial parasailing offered throughout the World.

1974 "THE FIRST" PARASAIL WINCHBOAT

1980 "THE FIRST" MILITARY WINCHBOAT FOR WATER SURVIVAL TRAINING

1. LICENSING.   Make sure you parasail with a fully licensed (state & local) company operating from a well established location, insured by a licensed insurance company. Don’t pay for your ride on the boat! this operator may not have a licensed or be insured.

2. ESTABLISHED OPERATORS.  Only parasail with established business operators.  Don't be afraid to ask how long they've been in business, is there business permits are current with the City and if the operator onboard is a US Coast Guard Licensed Captain.

3. HIGH WINDS.  You should avoid parasailing in high wind conditions ('over 18 knots).

4. PASSENGER WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.  Since exceeding the recommended passenger payload can adversely affect the flight characteristics of a parasail. Operating outside the recommended passenger weight guidelines can increase the risk of serious injury to an unsuspecting parasailor during the launch and recovery process.   

5. VISIBILITY.  Never go up in rain, fog or an approaching storm.

6. TYPES OF OPERATIONS.  Educate yourself on the different types of parasail equipment, passenger support devices (e.g. Harness, Tandem Bar, Ridged Chair methods being offered.

7. SAFETY BRIEFING.  Make certain that you get adequate safety briefing prior to your flight. This safety briefing should include; a) a description of the activity itself, b) safety procedures in the event of an unexpected emergencies, c) the proper use of hands signals while airborne, d) evacuation procedures during a waterlanding, fire or capsizing, e) precluding any participant who appears to be afraid or intimidated prior to their aerial excursion.

8. ALTITUDE.  Parasailing at an altitude of more than 600 feet is discouraged, especially in close proximity to the shoreline or other objects.  The recommended altitude for using hand signals and recovery during water landings over open ocean is 600 and 300 feet over small lakes, bays or sounds. (these figures are based on ideal wind and sea conditions with limited traffic)

 

Q. Is parasailing safe?
A. In the good weather conditions, utilizing the right equipment operated by an experienced crew. Parasailing can be a safe, fun, Aerial Adventure.

Q. How many accidents have there been?
A. The PSC estimates that from 1990 thru 2003 (in the USA) there were over 324 accidents, 68 of which resulted in serious bodily injury and 11 deaths in the USA and its territories.  Their have 11 deaths between 2003 and 2007  (These statistics are based USCG reports state / local law enforcement, local reporting agencies, individual accident reports, eye witnesses accounts from parasail operators and other sources deemed reliable) 
 

Q. Are different types of equipment safer than others?
A. Comparison studies have shown that there is an increased risk utilizing certain types of equipment, but general speaking parasailing with an experienced captain, using well maintained equipment, in good weather conditions is paramount to safety.

Q. What are the qualifications to purchase a parasail boat?
A. None. Anyone can purchase a parasail boat.

Q. Is their a training course to learn how to parasail?
A. It is customary for the equipment manufacturer to provide training or in the alternative you could hire on a private basis an experienced Capitan as a substitute.

Q. What are the know risks and inherent dangers of parasailing?
A. The most common accidents occurred during tow line separation from the boat, equipment failure, high speed water and deck landings, canopy rotation, line popping and whiplash.

Q. What is the safest altitude to parasail?
A. There are so many factors involved to arrive at an exact figure.  However, as a general observation, the maximum altitude  for bays and small lakes is 300' and 800' for large lakes and open ocean.

Q. What are the requirements or qualifications to operate a parasail boat?
A. To legally take passengers for hire or charge money, you need a Captains license which is available directly from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) or through special schools endorsed by the USCG.

Q. What are the minimum requirements to obtain a Captains License?
A. To obtain a basic license, one must have certain level of boating experience (see list below) and take a written exam.

Boating Experience for Inland Lakes, Bays & Sounds
* 360 days total boating experience on any type and size of powerboat
* 90 of those days must be in the last 3 years.
* U.S. citizenship is not required.
* Minimum age is 18.

Boating Experience for offshore operations
* 360 days total boating experience on any type and size of powerboat
* 90 of those days must be in the last 3 years.
* 90 days, in any time frame, must be in Near Coastal waters (offshore).
* U.S. citizenship is not required.
* Minimum age is 18.

Q. Does the USCG Captains License qualify me as a parasail operator?
A. No. There are currently no licensing requirements, qualifications or industry standards to become a parasail operator. This is one of the dilemmas of the commercial parasailing.  While operators enjoy their independence, this freedom comes with some risks.

Q. Why doesn’t the USCG require a special license for parasail operators?
A. The jury is still out on this question.  In the meantime, the public needs to understand that parasail operators can fly by their own rules and make up new one as they go along.  But generally speaking, the majority of operators are responsible and have enjoyed an above average safety record.

Q. Why do operators use advertising slogans like; a) Our Captains are licensed by the USCG. b) Our equipment is always new and checked daily by our USCG Certified Captains. c) Everything is double checked by our USCG Certified Captain to ensure a safe flight every time. d) Our parasail boats are inspected vessels certified by the USCG? e) We are endorsed by a major hotel
f) We are a member of a maritime association.  A. Some slogans can be misleading by given the impression that either the the operation, the Captain and/or their equipment are somehow sanctioned by these entities.

Q. What is the difference between as USCG inspected vs. an un-inspected vessel?
A. An inspected vessel requires the manufacture to follow specific building specifications and has nothing to do with the operation.  The USCG overseas the construction of the boat until completed.  In some cases a stability test is performed to determine the number of passengers the vessel can carry. (Note: 90% of all reputable boat manufacturers build boats that would probably meet with USCG specifications). However, there are no USCG requirements for any parasail vessel with regard to the parasailing equipment onboard.
 

updated 09/07
 

 

 

PARASAIL SAFETY COUNCIL
The Clayton & McCulloh Building
1065 Maitland Center Commons Blvd.
Maitland, FL 32751
Phone (407) 650-3300