“Passengers seeking to enjoy the thrill, adventure and panoramic views of parasailing risk becoming accident victims,” the NTSB report issued in
In examining a series of accidents, the NTSB said “human error” by operators is the main cause of parasailing accidents due to “poor judgment, lack of sufficient experience, improper training” and other factors such as worn or poorly maintained gear, ignorance about overloading tow ropes and other equipment, and failure to monitor wind speeds and changing weather.
All or most of those factors were at play on July 1, 2013, when Sidney Good and Alexis Fairchild became detached from the boat that was pulling them and were thrown into a Thomas Drive condominium tower, a power line and then some parked cars. Both suffered traumatic brain injuries they may never fully recover from.
The NTSB said there are currently no uniform requirements for operator training, equipment inspection or suspension of operations in bad weather.
The Coast Guard, however, does not appear eager to get involved with licensing. Asked to comment on the licensing proposal, Coast Guard spokesman Carlos A. Diaz reiterated an emailed statement from his agency noting simply that it continues to work with the parasailing industry and government entities to improve training, safety and standards.
“Here in
Vessels that carry fewer than six passengers, a category that includes many local parasailing boats, can undergo a voluntary inspection of the vessel, courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Clausen said. The Auxiliary has no enforcement authority and can’t report any inspection findings to the Coast Guard, but it will inspect a vessel to check for the appropriate gear, charts and safety equipment.
“But the parasail equipment itself is not inspected by the Coast Guard,” Clausen said.
Some 3 million to 5 million people participate in parasailing each year, with about 325 operators in the
The Parasail Safety Council estimates that 73 people died in parasailing accidents between 1982 to 2012, with 429 seriously injured in the course of taking 130 million rides. Council founder Mark McCulloh said he “absolutely” supports the NTSB’s recommendation for the Coast Guard to license operators.
The NTSB said requiring operators to be licensed “would not eliminate all shortcomings” but “would set a minimum level of experience and professional competence.”
The NTSB report cited details on parasailing accidents since 2009 in which seven people died and four were injured. Some victims drowned as they were dragged through the water, Fairchild and Good crashed into buildings or power lines, and one died when a worn-out harness separated from the flight bar.
Even a knot commonly used to fasten tow ropes is risky, the agency said, because the knot reduces rope strength “by as much as 70 percent, even on brand-new, otherwise strong ropes.” Ropes are further weakened by wind, usage, and exposure to sun and saltwater.
The NTSB also recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration review regulations intended to avoid collisions between parasailing vessels and aircraft. Among other things, the NTSB cited a contradiction between an FAA rule that gives aircraft the right of way over parasailing vessels and other navigation rules that suggest parasailing vessels are restricted in their ability to maneuver. One accident cited involved a collision between a banner-towing plane and a parasailing operation off of
In an emailed comment, the FAA said it would review the NTSB’s recommendations and consider efforts to reduce the risk of midair collisions.
The NTSB also urged drafting of model legislation by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators as a way to “not only call attention to the significant risk associated with the activity,” but also to make it easier for state legislatures and other governmental bodies to regulate the industry.
McCulloh said the NTSB report was accurate and educational but “falls short” of safety measures such as changes in harness design.
The Water Sports Industry Association supports the NTSB recommendations and said it has been working to develop safety standards for parasailing. “We have no issues with having the industry regulated,” said WSIA executive director Larry Meddock. “We think it’s the right thing to do.”
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News Herald staff writer Chris Olwell contributed to this Associated Press report.
PANAMA CITY BEACH — The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday declared parasailing to be risky and urged the U.S. Coast Guard to require that operators be licensed.
The NTSB said people seeking to enjoy the "thrill, adventure and panoramic views of parasailing risk becoming accident victims."
The NTSB said human error is the main cause of parasailing accidents due to poor judgment, lack of sufficient experience and improper training.
The report mentioned worn or poorly maintained gear, ignorance about overloading tow lines and other equipment, and failure to monitor wind speeds and changing weather.
Some 3 million to 5 million people participate in parasailing each year. The Parasail Safety Council says 73 people died in parasailing accidents between 1982 and 2012 out of a total of 130 million rides.
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