Sunday, July 15, 2012

Non-Profits to Reap $10 Million From Facebook Settlement [REPORT]

[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/non-profits-reap-10-million-facebook-settlement-report-143346282.html

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Saturday, July 14, 2012

Vital Aspects Of Campbell California Car Repairs ? Some Ideas ...

A person?s car?s wellness and extended lifestyle are usually intensely dependent on the upkeep you provide you at different factors. On the other hand, the vast majority of kinds of regimen preservation are straightforward as well as mandate not quite a bit time. Such as, you?ll have to alter the motor oil every single Five,Thousand prolonged distances (or extended, based on an owner?s guide). Yourrrll systematically trade each of the plus sustain filters. You will definitely may want to examine the materials grades not to point out exhaustion demands on the regular foundation. In the event you?re rigorous about doing these beneficial facts, it is possible to hold your automobile doing firm effectively for very some time.

The actual fact is, maturity inevitably is provided irrespective of what you are accomplishing to hold it yet again under control. Automated products overlook all of which will needs to be improved out. Less than, We will present selection of the components you could possibly switch out in a while.

A Petrol Pump

Your individual strength methods pump motor is accountable for transmitting gasoline for ones gasoline or diesel a shot method. If this breaks, your vehicle?s core (or maybe actually, your combustion compartments) is not visiting get the petrol vital for a burning procedure. When you find yourself motoring an important internal automotive or suv, you could possibly switch this pour by alot more or much less Fifty 5,Thousand mile after mile. When you invest in a major Toyota and / or Honda, you can rarely ought to swap it.

Establish headlines is it factor is usually fitted while from the vehicle?s gasoline tank. Being a consequence, it?s going to take a chance to restore. However cylinder per se value $200, a labor expense ambigu.

A Inform

A fabulous televison broadcasting fall short shouldn?t be affordable. Even though small-scale complications, as an example stains, are generally preset relatively quickly as well as at minimal price tag would be wise to they be identified primary, a dysfunction often means that upgrading every one of the assembling your devices. It?s simply because quite a lot of transmission suppliers very often be not eager to execute a complete overhaul because of the situation which is involved.

Microbial infection which come about to become mounted to the inside of a considerable degree of later on model motor vehicles can past over Number of,a thousand kilometres. Remember is without a doubt a fabulous guideline; lower on rates of interest be unsuccessful a complete large amount fairly rather quickly. The quantity to be able to vary the actual assembling your equipment can most certainly surpass $2,200, among them components and labor.

Generally the Foot brake

The greater boldy that you simply produce, the faster it?s important to by now have ones braking procedure predetermined. A good quality range of brake pedal positions wholly concentrate completely along the yoga mats. That patches dress in down and want as becoming substituted effectively previously they begin evening time with rotors. Every time that happens, it is important to get the rotors generated.

That braking strategy protections alongside light-weight vans have got to only should get changed each individual sixty,000 an extended way or supplemental. Intense Activity utility vehicles, on the other hand, might want to retail store them changed from Thirty five,000 mileage. Most of the pillow main commonly fee less than $80 which permits it to be construct at your house. Then again, if as an illustration your rotors need to be generated, you unquestionably will need the devices to not point out proficiency of your shady mechanic. Be expecting to pay everywhere up to $500 (and even more).

The automotive battery

Auto batteries ordinarily earlier in relation to a handful of and moreover five yrs. Concurrently their longevity hinges mainly in the brand you purchase, the climate the destinations you live may possibly be described as an aspect. Heat weather, as an illustration hot temperature likelihood is you?re going to knowledge in Arizona ( az ), may well noticeably restricted the battery?s living As regularly to a few ages.

Thankfully for us, electric powered battery frequently are charge beneficial (commonly a lesser quantity than $100) and will also very easily be substituted without an vehicle mechanic.

There are many other types of amenities in addition to models that experience wear and tear, for that reason finish up remaining darned or simply redone. Together with, your vehicle?s core should show results successfully for even more that a hundred,five hundred kilometers, but still which can depend on your driving procedures and in some cases abstraction in transforming your oils. Kinds personal catalytic converter need to greatest extra 100 and fifty,Thousand mls, then again a very good source go clearly these electric powered motor may possibly minimize the technique for daily life.

Have an examine your automobile or truck a great. You?ll have to replenish sections on condition that they neglect. The trick is to remain higher than conventional maintenance products and options (my companion and that i.age. verify fluid thresholds, switch the fats, improve screens, and many others.) although acquiring troubles solved fast. In that way, you may protect against modest to medium sized difficulties coming from getting significant company monthly expenditures.auto repair campbell california auto repair campbell california

Source: http://www.worldarticle.us/vital-aspects-of-campbell-california-car-repairs-some-ideas/

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Texas Horse Tooth Etching Case Closed

Law enforcement authorities in Texas have closed investigations into an animal cruelty case involving a horse with a profane message etched in his teeth unless new information in the case emerges.

Last month, Samantha Mixon, DVM, discovered a horse with a profane phrase etched into its front teeth. Mixon believes power tools were used to make the etchings that she said extended into the living tissue in the horse's teeth causing him to be in pain. Mixon later reported the finding to the Bandera County Sheriff's Department for investigation.

On July 12 Sheriff's Department Sgt. Shane Merritt said that due to conflicting veterinarian opinions and possible statute of limitations restrictions, the investigation was closed with no charges filed.

Merritt said that after Mixon reported the case, the law enforcement investigators interviewed two additional veterinarians who disagreed with Mixon's opinion that the horse had suffered pain in the etching process and that it continues to suffer pain as a result of it.

"The conflicting diagnosis would make a Cruelty to Livestock Animals case impossible to prove," Merritt said.

Merritt also said that information obtained during the investigation indicates that the incident took place in 2009, well before the two year statute of limitations contained in the cruelty code.

Read inspiring true stories of ex-racehorses that successfully transitioned from track to new careers when re-trained in Second-Chance Horses and the difference they made in the lives of people around them.

"As a result, the case has been closed pending new information that may cause is to reopen it," Merritt said.

Mixon continues to maintain that the horse was tortured by the engraving procedure and continues to suffer as a result. She also believes new information connected to the case is available if law enforcement personnel pursue it.

"I have hopes that (investigators) will be conferring with the top equine dental experts at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary medicine in the near future," she said.

Source: http://feeds.thehorse.com/~r/TheHorse/News/~3/deIQNHKJx7Q/viewarticle.aspx

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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Trimming tax breaks to cut rates is a lot harder than it looks

It's not impossible for pay for individual tax rate reductions by cutting tax expenditures. But it is very hard. Congress could fix that huge distribution problem by? raising tax rates on capital gains and dividends ? but it is a very unpopular platform.

By Howard Gleckman,?Guest blogger / July 11, 2012

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. talks to reporters about the fight over extending tax cuts following a political strategy session, Tuesday, July 10, 2012, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Enlarge

It won?t be impossible for pay for substantial individual tax rate reductions by cutting tax expenditures. But it will be very, very hard.

Skip to next paragraph Howard Gleckman

Howard Gleckman is a resident fellow at The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, the author of Caring for Our Parents, and former senior correspondent in the Washington bureau of Business Week. (http://taxvox.taxpolicycenter.org)

Recent posts

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The challenges are political, administrative, economic, and, in a key way, mathematical. While ?broadening the base and lowering the rates? is a goal often advanced by politicians and economists, a new study by my Tax Policy Center colleagues Jim Nunns, Bob Williams, Eric Toder, and Hang Nguyen ?shows just how tough it would be to accomplish.

One of the biggest and least understood challenges is the interaction between rates and tax preferences. In short, deductions, exemptions and the like lose their value as rates fall. Thus, the very act of cutting rates shrinks the pile of money Congress has available to pay for those rate reductions.

To understand why, first think of it first from the taxpayer?s point of view.? A $100 tax deduction is worth $35 to a?taxpayer who is in today?s top bracket of?35 percent, but would be worth only $28 if that?rate is cut to 28 percent. ?From government?s perspective (to oversimplify a bit), eliminating that deduction would produce $35 today but only $28 if rates are cut.

To see what this means, my TPC colleagues looked at what would happen if Congress slashes individual tax rates by 20 percent across the board and eliminates the Alternative Minimum Tax, two elements of a much broader tax reform proposed by Mitt Romney.

As a result, the Treasury would collect about $320 billion less in individual income taxes in 2015 than under today?s tax rules (aka current policy). Thus, if Congress wants to generate the same amount of revenue, ?it would need to reduce individual tax expenditures by $320 billion (Of course, it could find the money elsewhere?say, by cutting spending or raising corporate taxes? but that?s another story).

The math is unforgiving. By lowering rates Congress reduces the total value of individual tax preferences by about $200 billion?from $1.3 trillion under current policy to less than $1.1 trillion. And that means it would need to cut those tax expenditures by?nearly one-third ($320 billion out of $1.1 trillion) to make up the revenue lost by the tax cuts.

If Congress wants to generate the same amount of money as current law, the hole would be much deeper. Lawmakers would have to cut tax preferences by $730 billion.

In the real world, coming up with those bucks is even harder than that. Because many of these tax subsidies are deeply ingrained in the economy, Congress is likely to phase them out slowly. In addition, taxpayers will adjust their own behavior in response to these tax changes. Both would further reduce the amount of revenue from base-broadening.

Then, there is the matter of what is administratively and politically feasible.

To sort through this, TPC divided tax expenditures into four buckets?each less likely than the next to face cuts. The first, where changes are most likely, comprises preferences such as itemized deductions and non-retirement fringe benefits. This includes popular deductions for mortgage interest, charitable gifts, and the exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance so scaling these back would be a heavy lift. But curbing other preferences would be even tougher.

The second group includes investment and savings incentives such as low rates for capital gains and preferences for contributions to retirement accounts. The third tranche includes credits for low-income families with children and the partial exclusion of Social Security benefits. The last pot?and most untouchable? are exclusions for income such as imputed rent on owner-occupied housing and combat pay.

TPC figures that if all of the offsetting revenues came from Group 1 only, those tax preferences would have to be slashed by 72 percent to prevent the rate cuts from adding to the current policy deficit (assuming people don?t change behavior).

Just as vexing, if Congress cuts that bundle of tax breaks across the board while trimming rates by 20 percent and eliminating the AMT, the Tax Code becomes much less progressive. On average, the highest-income 5 percent would pay less tax while those in all other income groups would pay more.

About the only way Congress could fix that huge distribution problem would be to raise tax rates on capital gains and dividends?an idea strongly opposed by Romney and most congressional Republicans.

Broadening the base and cutting tax rates is a great idea. But the message from this paper is simple: It sounds a whole lot easier than it is.

The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of the best economy-related bloggers out there. Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger, click here. To add or view a comment on a guest blog, please go to the blogger's own site by clicking on taxvox.taxpolicycenter.org.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/BaLuu5Lajr8/Trimming-tax-breaks-to-cut-rates-is-a-lot-harder-than-it-looks

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Web-based malware determines your OS, then strikes

5 hrs.

New malware that is spread via the Web, and is operating system-agnostic, has been discovered by researchers at F-Secure.

The malware uses social engineering by showing this "warning" (top?version shown here is for Windows, the bottom is?for Mac) when a user visits the tainted page and gets the "warning."

It doesn't matter which operating system you're using, says F-Secure; the file first?"checks if the user's machine is?running in Windows, Mac or Linux then downloads the appropriate files for the platform."

The payload? "Once it has found out which operating system you are running, the Java class file will download the appropriate flavor of malware, with the intention of opening a backdoor that will give hackers remote access to your computer," writes Sophos Security's Graham Cluley on that company's blog.

Topher Kessler of CNET's Blog Network notes that if "at any?point you see a program, applet, or other resource attempt to use a self-signed certificate, then be sure you personally trust the source before using it (i.e., it is from a server you own or manage)."

Legitimate vendors will "use certificates signed by an authority like VeriSign, which authenticates to the root certificates in your system to ensure applets and other transactions with the service are legitimate and secure," he writes.

Cluley notes that this "isn't, of course, the first cross-platform malware that we have seen. For instance, in 2010 we saw the?Boonana malware?which similarly used a malicious Java applet to deliver a cross-platform attack that attempts to download further malware on Windows, Unix and Mac OS X."

With more malware attacks on Apple's OS in the past year, and ongoing strikes against Windows-based systems, "although the amount of malware written for different operating systems can vary, it's becoming increasingly hard to argue on any OS that it's safe to surf the Web without anti-virus protection," Cluley wrote. And it's hard to argue with that.

Check out Technolog, Gadgetbox, Digital Life and In-Game on?Facebook,?and on Twitter, follow Suzanne Choney.

Source: http://www.technolog.msnbc.msn.com/technology/technolog/new-web-based-malware-seeks-backdoor-your-pc-876194

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Will Tucker get Bank of England top job?

LONDON (Reuters) - Paul Tucker, the long-time favorite to become the next Bank of England chief, was quick to brand the Libor rate-rigging scandal "a cesspit" earlier this week -- but the twists and turns of the saga have left doubts about whether he will now get the top job.

A grueling parliamentary inquiry into the scandal gripping the City of London didn't deal a mortal blow to the deputy governor's chances of succeeding Governor Mervyn King. But it has shortened the odds on an outside appointment because the central bank, on top of its main monetary policy mandate, is set to become arguably the world's most powerful regulator.

Until the eve of Monday's hearing, Tucker -- who has spent his career at the Bank of England -- was the front-runner to take over from King next year, but bookmakers then put former top civil servant Gus O'Donnell fractionally ahead.

"It would have been very difficult for (Tucker) to have a triumph (at the hearing) ... and he didn't," said Karel Williams, a professor of accounting and political economy at the University of Manchester.

The scandal concerns Barclays' admission that its traders manipulated the bank's contribution to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or Libor, the rate at which banks lend to each other overnight and which is the benchmark for many interest rates.

The BoE got dragged in when a 2008 memo from Barclays' former chief executive Bob Diamond, who was forced to resign over the scandal, appeared to suggest that Tucker had condoned the rate-rigging.

More than two hours of questioning of Tucker by lawmakers uncovered no evidence that this was the case.

However, the legislators on parliament's influential Treasury Select Committee -- the main external body to which the BoE, UK bank regulators and the finance ministry are accountable -- were unimpressed by Tucker's and the central bank's failure to sense there could be something amiss a year earlier in 2007.

"It doesn't look good, I have to tell you," committee chairman Andrew Tyrie told Tucker during his evidence session.

Tucker's testimony may also not have endeared him to finance minister George Osborne, who starts the hunt for a new governor in earnest in a couple of months' time.

Osborne has had fiery exchanges with opposition finance spokesman Ed Balls about the Labour Party's responsibility for the LIBOR scandal, which took place when it was in power.

Osborne implied in a magazine interview last week that figures close to the then-prime minister, Gordon Brown, might have leant on Tucker to pressure Barclays to improperly lower Libor rates.

But asked on this, Tucker said "absolutely not", prompting calls from legislators for Osborne to retract his claim -- which would be politically highly embarrassing.

INCURIOUS?

Tyrie's concerns reflect a broader worry from his committee that the BoE is too hierarchical and slow-moving to take on the mantle of financial regulation that will be handed to it next year as part of wide-ranging reforms after a financial crisis that cost Britain hundreds of billions of pounds.

"One does rather question -- when Mr Tucker and the Bank were so incurious in the years after 2007 -- whether much good is coming from putting the Bank in charge of so much," he said the University of Manchester's Williams.

Stewart Hosie, a Treasury Committee member, agreed up to a point. "I am very frustrated with the evidence from the central bank and from Barclays. Nobody knew anything about what was going on," he told Reuters.

But he added that this was much a failure of an entire regulatory system as of the BoE alone or Tucker himself.

Mark Garnier, another member of the Treasury committee, said the hearing had not sunk Tucker's chances, but he would need to show that he had learnt from the Libor debacle.

"There is no such thing as a blameless candidate," he said.

Other observers say Tucker's real problem is an increasing push for an outside candidate, possibly O'Donnell, who headed Britain's civil service until last year and closely advised prime ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

On paper, Tucker is the stronger candidate, with years of experience in monetary policy and financial stability. But as the BoE gets more powers while its record remains under question, there is pressure to consider others.

"There might be an argument that there should be a new broom, which Tucker will find it hard to argue against," said BNP Paribas economist David Tinsley. "There are some obvious advantages to refreshing the institution at the top."

O'Donnell, unlike Tucker, has experience of managing a very large institution, and the BoE will double in size next year when it takes on many of the staff and responsibilities of the Financial Services Authority, which is being broken up.

However, the decision is highly political.

Tucker's next public 'job interview' comes on Tuesday when he appears again before the Treasury committee alongside King and FSA chairman Adair Turner -- also a contender for the governor's job -- to present the BoE financial stability report.

He might want to take heart from the experience one of his predecessors as deputy governor, the late Eddie George.

George was deputy governor during one of the biggest debacle's of British economic policy in the past 30 years -- sterling's forced exit from the EU's exchange rate mechanism in 1992. Less than a year later, George became the BoE's governor.

(Editing by Jeremy Gaunt.)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/tucker-bank-england-top-job-112532253--business.html

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Officials: Recreational Boat Regs Don't Address Overcrowding ...

In the wake of recent tragedy, the waters of enforcement for boaters who overcrowd their vessels are still murky.

In recent days, a devastating accident left three children dead on July 4 off Oyster Bay when a boat carrying over 24 guests capsized, leading some to question whether the tragedy was caused by a wake from another vessel or possible overcrowding on the 34-foot Silverton cabin cruiser.

On Sunday in Wading River, five people packed a paddleboat meant for two; a marine rescue brought all who were thrown into the Long Island Sound, screaming for help ? including a 7-year-old boy ? to safety.

But despite wide public attention to a burgeoning problem, officials say in New York State, laws don't address the issue of overcrowding recreational vessels.

Sally Drake, spokeswoman for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation said all regulations concerning capacity on boats are federally determined. No federal regulations exist mandating regulations regarding capacity on recreational boats sized similarly to the vessels involved in the recent Long Island accidents, she said.

United States Coast Guard Petty Officer West, Long Island Sound sector, who declined to give his first name, said there are no regulations regarding the number of individuals that can ride on a recreational vehicles.

He added recreational vehicles have capacity plates stating manufacturers' standards regarding weight limit and the number of individuals suggested for a vessel. "But we don't really enforce it," West said. "It's up to the owner's discretion."

The Coast Guard can enforce safety equipment standards and cite boat owners who do not adhere to regulations. "We can recommend not having that many people on board but we can't tell them what to do," he said.?"We can't really tell people how to run their boats."?

If a vessel is overloaded, West added, a Coast Guard officer could "recommend termination" of the journey and bring individuals in to port but would not be able to write up any violations. "There is no law against overloading your boat," he said.

State regulations do exist addressing life jackets: Anyone under 12 years of age on a vessel less than 65 feet must wear a life jacket in New York State, unless situated in an enclosed cabin, according to the?National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Those not adhering to the regulation can be fined between $25 and $100.

Rachel Johnson, communications director at the National Safe Boating Council, said while no regulations regarding capacity exist at the current time, owners should be aware of, and follow, the capacity recommendations on their vessels.

The mission of her organization, Johnson said, is to promote safer boating through public education and training, especially the "Wear It" program that advocates all individuals wearing life jackets at all times while boating.

The top five factors that contribute to boating accidents, Johnson said, are operator inattention, improper lookout, or not having a view of the entire circumference of the vessel, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and machinery failure.

"One of our main focuses is life jacket wear," Johnson said. She added that individuals involved in 70 percent of all fatal boating accidents drowned, and 84 percent of that number were not wearing life jackets. "A lot of those stories would not have ended in tragedy had they chosen to wear life jackets," she said.

While Johnson admits many adults resist the notion of life jackets, new models have been created that are much smaller and lightweight, and can be inflated by pulling a chord in the event of an emergency. Some are as small as a belt fanny pack, she said. "These are great alternatives for adults ages 16 and over," Johnson said.

Gary Joyce, an Aquebogue resident who is also a New York Sate-certified boating safety instructor, a United States Coast Guard licensed captain, and an instructor with the United States Power Squadron, said public compliance, when it comes to water safety, is key.

"The regulations that are in place are fine and won't require updating, just adherence, along with common sense -- and that's the hard part," Joyce said.

He added that it is the captain's or boat operator's responsibility to ensure that their vessel is operated in a safe manner at all times. "They are ultimately responsible for what goes on in their boat," Joyce said.

When teaching boating safety courses, Joyce said he gives a short lecture on where all safety equipment is located, how the radio operates, how to turn on and shut off engines, and the importance of personal flotation devices and life jackets, before ever leaving the dock.

"There's a move afoot with all the organizations that life jackets be worn by everyone, but, at worst, you'd better make sure any non- to poor swimmers have them, that you have enough for your passenger count, and that they're in proper shape. And every child 12 and under better have one on when on deck," Joyce said. "Lastly, if you haven't taken a boating safety class from some organization ? do so."?

Joyce said while there is no law, such as legislation that exists for boating while intoxicated, "That's?where the commons sense factor comes in. You shouldn't overload your boat, period."

Other factors such as sea conditions must be considered. "Most of the errors are due to lack of knowledge, plus the fact that I think most people think because they can see land, they're not in a hostile environment ? again, another mistake," Joyce said. "Unless you have gills, you're a guest, not an occupant."

No new law is needed, Joyce believes. ?"Education, education, education. And you still need common sense ? and there's nada you can do about that."

What do you think? Should federal and state officials get serious about addressing boat capacity? Should legislation be introduced to prevent tragedy? Let us know what you think in the comments section.


Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

Source: http://riverhead.patch.com/articles/recreatonal-boat-regulations-do-not-address-overcrowding

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