In 1988, After the popularity of multiple passenger flights utilizing the Gondola. Parasail canopy manufacturers modified the riser support
straps with an additional set of D-rings to attach two parasailor’s (one in front of the other) While the concept worked, safety soon became an
issue from flight deck injuries on landing to numerous fatalities by drowning in emergency waters during high winds and rough sea conditions
With a serious of injuries and deaths being linked to the double (inline) harness, manufacturers re-introduced a modified tow bar based on
McCullohs 1971 and 1974 design. The new and improved tow bar system allowed operators to connect multiple parasailors wearing a harness
passenger support side-by-side similar to the Gondola. The tow bar aka "Tandem Bar" became popular with operators who wanted to fly
multiple parasailors without investing into a larger parasail vessel and paying royalties associated with the patented Gondola. Both Harness
systems are inherently dangerous emergency water landings.
In 1989, Mark McCulloh introduced a new wide-body Skyrider Gondolas that could be customized to carry up to four (4) parasailors. The first
customized Skyriders were operated to Guam and Cancun, Mexico
GUAM
90’s Photo of Shaquill O’Neil... and sports agent taken
a ride on the Skyrider Gondola at AquaWorld in
Cancun, Mexico.
In late 1989, Mark McCulloh designed and tested the first Emergency Drogue Deflation System “EDDS” for operators using the body harness
passenger support system. The EDSS was based on the same principal of a sea anchor wind and sea conditions deteriorate can slow a disabled
vessel. The EDDS allows the para-sailor to manually deploy a mini-parchute device after a towline separation during an emergency water
landing in high winds. When deployed, the EDDS (attached the to riser lines) interrupts the parasails ability to remain inflated. Based on
numerous test flights over several months, It was determined that the EDDS system posed a inherent risk to the parasailor and could lead to a
serious accident or catastrophic failure of the main canopy and was abandon.
Conclusions after 87 Test Flights
-required intense parasailor training
-creates an duty for parasailors and crew
-numerous manual deployment errors
-unpredictable in rough water deployment
-increased risk of parasailor entanglement while in the water
-premature launch during flight/catastrophic failure of canopy
-unreliable results once in the water
* Based on the test results, the EDDE project was abandon
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In 1989, Mark McCulloh built and delivered the first US Coast Guard Inspected Winchboat using simple stability rules
Parasail Safety Council
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