James RickardShould cell phones be banned?
August 16th 2010 21:40
Regular readers of this blog have probably come across my admission that I don't own, or yearn to own, a boat.
That's part of the reason I had mixed emotions after reading the following article.
If you're pressed for time, I'll condense it down for you.
It seems some people are after the Coast Guard to prohibit the use of cellphones while while ships are under way.
Before you get up in arms about this, let me point out that the article clearly states Coast Guard vessels were involved in collisions with civilian pleasure craft and that crew members were using wireless devices to participate in text messages that were unrelated to vessel operation.
Since one accident occurred in South Carolina and the other in San Diego, it can hardly be said the accidents took place on the high seas. One would think all crew members would be especially vigilant in the look out for pleasure craft.
Many school systems have banned to use of cellphones in the classroom and several states have outlawed texting and driving. In light of this report, I can see the rationalization behind all of these actions. Should the Coast Guard clamp down on the distractions caused by test messaging?
That's part of the reason I had mixed emotions after reading the following article.
If you're pressed for time, I'll condense it down for you.
It seems some people are after the Coast Guard to prohibit the use of cellphones while while ships are under way.
Before you get up in arms about this, let me point out that the article clearly states Coast Guard vessels were involved in collisions with civilian pleasure craft and that crew members were using wireless devices to participate in text messages that were unrelated to vessel operation.
Since one accident occurred in South Carolina and the other in San Diego, it can hardly be said the accidents took place on the high seas. One would think all crew members would be especially vigilant in the look out for pleasure craft.
Many school systems have banned to use of cellphones in the classroom and several states have outlawed texting and driving. In light of this report, I can see the rationalization behind all of these actions. Should the Coast Guard clamp down on the distractions caused by test messaging?
Here's another report which goes even further and suggests a ban on civilian cellphone use is in order along with regulations for the Coast Guard.
If such measures come to pass, let's hope and pray those enforcing the rules
can look at things realistically and see the need for phoning the shore if one is out of fuel and drifting out to sea.
If such measures come to pass, let's hope and pray those enforcing the rules
can look at things realistically and see the need for phoning the shore if one is out of fuel and drifting out to sea.
Remember to take the hooks outta yer pocket before ya sit down!
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