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PARASAIL REGULATIONS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA MAY
FINALLY BECOME A REALITY ! |
The PSC fully supports
and is actively assisting State of Florida Officials
in their quest to pass much needed regulations for
commercial parasailing. Operators have no idea
how close banning commercial parasailing in Florida
without regulations was. The proposed
regulations will not only stabilize the industry,
but encourage new insurance markets and operator
association choices. >
more info
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>View
1st Amended Bill >View
2nd Amended Bill
> more updates
/ NEWS
LINKS
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Click here to view a flash
video pictorial biography of Mark McCulloh's 30 plus years of
Inventions and Innovations for parasailing. |
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1971 Tandem
Bar for Parasailing. |
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> learn more |
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1971
Stationary Platform
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> learn more |
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1972
Motorized Platform
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> learn more |
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1974
World's First Winchboat
/ US Patent No.
3,987,746
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> learn more |
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1980
Military
Training Winchboat |
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> learn more |
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1985
Aerial Recliner Passenger Support
/ US Patent No.
4,738,414
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> learn more |
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1986
Outboard Powered Winchboat |
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> learn more |
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1987
Tandem Skyrider |
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> learn more |
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1989
Mega
Yacht Winchboat
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learn more |
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1994
Parasail Rope Guide
/ US Patent No.
5,367,972 |
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learn more |
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1994 First Disney Operation
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learn more |
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1994
UL Approved Sportboat
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learn more |
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1994
Conversion
Kits for Harness Winchboats
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> learn more |
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1995 Surveillance
Skyrider / US Patent No.
D392,242
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> learn more |
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1996
Conversion
Flight Deck |
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> learn more |
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1996
Auto-Winch
System |
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> learn more |
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1998
Three Passenger
Skyrider / US Patent No.
#
5,816,184 |
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> learn more |
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1999 Riser
Assembly for Parasailing /
US Patent No.
6,085,682
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| McCulloh's
invention inspired the riser line assembly design utilized on
NASA’s X-38 Crew Rescue Vehicle.
> learn more |
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NASA's X-38 |
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Today Winchboat parasailing represents
more than 95% of all commercial parasailing offered throughout the
World. |
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1974 "THE FIRST" PARASAIL WINCHBOAT |
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The worlds first Parasail Winchboat was invented by
Mark McCulloh of Miami, Florida. In 1974, the proof of
concept was completed and a patent was granted to McCulloh in October 26, 1976.
Due to numerous accidents, the commercial application
was delayed until 1980. The
First Recorded Winchboat Accident occurred in 1977 during a media event at Sunset
Beach, Treasure Island, Florida. Where a girl almost drown after the
parasail went into the water. |
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Today Winchboat parasailing represents
more than 95% of all commercial parasailing offered throughout the
World. |
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1980 "THE FIRST" MILITARY WINCHBOAT FOR WATER SURVIVAL
TRAINING |
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In 1980, McCulloh was contracted
by the US AIR FORCE to
build a Winchboat for their Water Survival Training
Program that provided pilots and astronauts life
saving
techniques to escape a parasail during a waterlanding
in high winds. Waterlandings can be dangerous
in high winds since the canopy will stay inflated after landing in the water
thus dragging the parasailor backwards through the water and
in some case drowning. |
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The
McCulloh's Winchboat design is still in use at the Naval Air
Station in Pensacola, Florida. |
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THINKING
ABOUT GOING PARASAILING ? - HERE ARE SOME SAFETY TIPS
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1. 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. 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. Inexperienced parasailors
should avoid this activity in high wind conditions over (15 knots)
due to an increased difficulty and complications during
emergency water landings.
4. Never go up in rain, fog or
an approaching storm.
5. Educate yourself on the
different types of parasail equipment, passenger support devices
(e.g. Harness, Tandem Bar, Ridged Chair methods being offered.
6. 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.
7. Parasailing altitude of more
than 600 feet is discouraged in close proximity of shoreline or
objects. The maximum 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)
8. Ask all the right questions.
How long is the flight?, Is it dangerous?. can I be injured?, is
their good flying weather today? etc..
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FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ?? |
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- 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
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- PARASAIL SAFETY
COUNCIL
The Clayton &
McCulloh Building
1065 Maitland Center Commons Blvd.
Maitland, FL 32751
Phone (407) 650-2854
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