Fatties Force Coast Guard to Lower Max Number of People on Ferries...

[Analog]

SAVANNAH, Ga. (CBS Atlanta) - The United States Coast Guard has scaled back the maximum number of passengers allowed on a given ferry, resulting in a lower maximum capacity rate for commercial vessels such as the Savannah Belles Ferry.
According to documents provided to CBS Atlanta by the U.S. Coast Guard, the final rule for the “Passenger Weight and Inspected Vessel Stability Requirements” amendment goes into effect in March of 2012.
All companies in ownership of such vessels must make all applicable mandatory alterations before that time.
The aforementioned documents state that the final rule was passed to avoid any potential safety issues caused by the excessive strain of larger human cargo.
“The Coast Guard amends its regulations governing the maximum weight and number of passengers that may safely be permitted on board a vessel and other stability regulations, including increasing the Assumed Average Weight per Person … to 185 lb.,” the document states. “Updating regulations to more accurately reflect today’s average weight per person will maintain intended safety levels by accounting for this weight increase.”
http://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2011/12...maller-capacity-for-commercial-water-transit/

 

[LTC8K6]

I don't think so. The original assumed weights were always unrealistic, imo.

 

[LTC8K6]

This proposal goes back to 2006 at least, and it considers passenger weight increases going back to 1963, and other things as well, for increasing the assumed weight of passengers, such as the tendency of owners regarding maintenance.

It was not done because Americans suddenly got fat.

http://www.federalregister.gov/arti...-passenger-weights-voluntary-interim-measures

http://www.federalregister.gov/arti...enger-weights-voluntary-interim-measures#h-15

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

No one said Americans suddenly got fat. They've been getting fat for a long time now.

 

[LTC8K6]

No one said Americans suddenly got fat. They've been getting fat for a long time now.

Yes, the thread title implied nothing at all...

Yes, very slowly over a very long period, just like most of the rest of the world, I would guess, we have gained a little weight. A higher standard of living does wonders.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Yes, the thread title implied nothing at all...

Yes, very slowly over a very long period, just like most of the rest of the world, I would guess, we have gained a little weight. A higher standard of living does wonders.

Yea standard nothing, people aren't just gaining a little weight. The majority of americans are fat to the point of it being downright unhealthy. Let me guess you're just big boned or you work out sometimes so you're all muscle?

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Keep in mind that fat people usually, but not always, get that way by eating food they've paid for that is over and the above minimum needed. This means fat people are probably contributing a lot more to the economy as they eat their way through their depressing lives.

So, they could cut their caloric intake in half, not spend the money on all that additional food, and help lower the economic results you might otherwise want to see.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yea standard nothing, people aren't just gaining a little weight. The majority of americans are fat to the point of it being downright unhealthy. Let me guess you're just big boned or you work out sometimes so you're all muscle?

Who said people weren't gaining weight?

I'm talking about why the standard was changed and how long ago the change was proposed.

Supposedly, since 1963 or so, the average American has gained 24 pounds, according to the proposals for this new rule. So the calculation for boats in pax service has been changed from 160 pounds per adult, to 185 pounds per adult.

Doesn't really sound like much considering it's over an almost 50 year span.

But the average weight was only part of the reason the standard was raised. It was also raised because of the average condition of boats in service.

It was formerly calculated based on a the boat's capacity when new, and did not really take into account what age and poor maintenance does to a boat.

It now lines up more closely with what the airlines use.

It also means a loss of revenue, with a reduction in paying boat pax per run, I suppose.

 

[JTsyo]

larger human cargo

*snicker*

Guess they can't just put a total weight limit and then have the passengers weighed as they board.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

lol fat people

 

[Atomic Playboy]

This makes no sense. It's in the ferry operator's interests for their clientele to be as fat as humanly possible. Sure, it may cause the boat to sink, but you'll have way fewer casualties if everyone is floating in their own personal insulating cocoon of lard; skinny people will just go down with the ship.

 

[natto fire]

LTC, I see your argument but fail to see how the maintenance of a vessel affects it's buoyancy. Then again I imagine the overall safety of a vessel is based on more than just staying afloat. Which makes sense considering the extra helo trips you would have to make to pull the fatties off the vessel dead in the water.

 

[Beev]

Instead of doing what they did how about at a global level we don't let anyone over 300lbs (and I think that's god damn generous) on ANYTHING like this? No ferries, no elevators (should be taking the fucking stairs anyway you fat pieces of crap), no carnival rides, no scooters at the god damn grocery store. Nothing. Lose weight or gtfo of my sight.

 

[Ben90]

It would also work to just make it illegal to buy food if you are over 300. You could get a special pass if your body fat was under a certain % so you could still be a body builder or something.