So far, parasailing unregulated

The lack of accurate accident statistics might lead people to think the sport is so safe it needs no operating standards. An industry leader says that's a mistake.

By JANE MEINHARDT

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 7, 1999

An American tourist died off Nassau in August when a parasail towrope broke in a squall and dropped her and a man 70 feet.

Using a helicopter, the Coast Guard rescued a parasailer who slammed into a cliff in San Francisco in 1998. He was tangled in the parasail rigging with a broken leg.

Two boys, ages 13 and 14, were injured in 1997 when they were dragged nearly a mile across a beach, parking lot and highway in Orange Beach, Ala., after their towrope broke.

And on Oct. 31 in Clearwater, three men were frightened when their towrope broke and a gust of wind swept them across Sand Key and dropped them into the Gulf of Mexico -- but not before they narrowly missed a building.

Despite these accidents and others in recent years, parasailing remains unfettered by any safety regulations instituted by state, federal or local agencies. Even accurate statistics on parasailing accidents are unavailable because no one agency keeps track of them.

According to the Parasail Safety Council, about 27 accidents happened in the United States last year. Mark McCulloh, council founder, gathered statistics from parasailing operators, lawsuits, news stories and personal contacts. In some cases, no formal accident reports were filed by any agency.

A former parasail operator and manufacturer, McCulloh says the lack of accurate accident statistics has helped promote the misconception that parasailing is so safe it needs no regulations or operating standards. Another reason for lack of regulations is responsibility for enforcement.

"I think this is a very close-knit society of operators who are very secretive," he said. "No one wants to take responsibility for regulating this sport. "If you research parasailing statistics, it looks like the safest sport in the world. In reality, it's a huge industry without regulations."

J.W. Deese, an investigating officer at the Tampa Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, confirmed that no federal regulations specifically pertain to parasailing.

He said general regulations governing transporting passengers for hire and licensing of captains could apply in certain cases.

Likewise, some general state laws such as wake restrictions or speed limits also could be applied, but none are aimed specifically at parasailing.

According to McCulloh's estimate, about 350 parasail businesses operate in the United States and roughly another 1,000 worldwide. A popular sport in Florida and other tourist areas, it is a lucrative business. Depending on the business location, he said, the average parasail operator grosses $200,000 to $300,000 a year.

So the question remains, how can a business so lucrative and fraught with danger escape oversight?

"They don't want anyone regulating them," said McCulloh, who noted that he gets some "mail" from parasail equipment suppliers and operators. "They don't want to conform to some kind of safety parameters they think might interfere with profit or keep them from taking chances."

Most parasailing businesses in Pinellas County did not respond to calls for comment. Dan Cass, owner of John's Pass Parasail, said the question of regulation usually follows any parasailing accident.

"Regulations may be fine and dandy, but the policing of it would be the problem," Cass said. "It's a double-edged sword. Maybe there should be some sort of regulations, but it can't stop there. People just get greedy and get around regulations."

When his captains decide rough seas or strong winds make parasailing too dangerous, he said, he apologizes to customers and tells them his business is closed because of conditions. Often Cass sees the customers going out later with another parasail operator.

Cass says parasail operators need to police themselves and consider safety questions before profit. He said 60 percent of his business involves repeat customers because he makes sure they are safe and have fun.  "You have tremendous responsibility to the customer," he said. "Owners have to stand by their captains and just say they're not going to do it when it's not safe."

McCulloh says safety training and standards should be required, or parasailing as a sport and business will ultimately pay a price.

"The industry is facing the ultimate challenge," he said. "If this course is continued, it will be the insurance companies who are going to pull the plug."