In the earlier days of retirement I indulged in a bit of yacht racing when living in Akaroa.

I did not see the need to invest in one of the ‘flash harry’ inflatable Life jackets that deployed when hitting the water but I wore a Jacket with inflatable inserts a all times. I was sometimes ribbed for donning it before getting into the small inflatable dinghy to head out to the Boat moored a hundred yards from the wharf. but that and the clear impediment to freedom of movement was endured as I clearly understood the danger of being cast overboard, particularly if one hit their head on the way.

Now anyone who has spent more than an hour in a boat with wave action accompanying should understand “sh*t happens” and very bloody fast, so those involved in the many close encounters with death should be sanctioned equal to the penalties for not wearing a seat belt.

I have a strong belief in personal responsibility but the numbers who court death by drowning in eschewing the simple floatation assistance readily available are stupid, In the tragic case at Patea Bar last weekend it is said all three were wearing life jackets.
Not the case earlier that went before a Coroner where a mother and her son died near Clarks Beach on the Manukau Harbour where five on board a boat capsized with not one of the five wearing a floatation device.
That people is where a vaccine to combat stupidity seems sorely needed.