Posted by Robert Townsend on Jul 17 2007 10:20AM -

Nothing more horrifying or sinister on the water than a propeller strike!



A recent quote from the East, “Nothing is more horrifying on the water than a propeller strike.” It continues “ A whirling blade can cause severe bleeding that can claim a life in seconds, and there is little that can be done to stop the bleeding” The only comparable life altering, disfiguring injury if the subject survives is a wartime injury such as those being suffered by our young heroes in Iraq.

The barbarism of such wanton brutality can easily be stopped. The risk of being shredded by an unguarded propeller can be all but eliminated with such devices without affecting the operation of watercraft. Such devices indeed enhance the operation of watercraft and it’s efficiency, including stability and steerage throughout it’s performance range.

Our organization has recently been formed. The group is known by the acronym, SAFER BOATING. That said, the organization is more properly named Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Recreational (SAFER) Boating. The purpose of this organization is to establish appropriate, economical but much needed higher safety standards for all Recreational Watercraft as well as the conditions under which the craft is operated. There are three other organizations that victims might want to contact http://www.spin-site.org and http://www.rbbi.com/pgic. or pwcwatch.org.

This organization lobbies the US Congress as well as the United States Coast Guard when in Washington DC and at selected national boating law enforcement meetings several times a year.

I am also a Legal Investigator with operations out of Dana Point California and have investigated recreational watercraft accidents.

As an F/Y/I I have just returned from some in water testing on a prototype guard for the propeller by Thrustor, an MPT product at Lake Ellsinore, California . Please see attached photos. This particular product is designed to preclude injury to those that go in the water for whatever reason means or condition of sobriety.

On this Honda 4 stroke, 90 hp, the RPM max is 6000 (32 MPH). At the max performance level, a loss of a mere .5/10ths of a mile per hour with RPM at slightly less than Max (100 RPM) in moderate chop with heavy port to starboard winds. The guard created greater stability, fuel efficiency (insignificant at the top of the range, greater and easy extreme maneuverability at max performance (figure 8's at full power) 90% emergency turns and etc at full power, no chime, no stern skip and bow trimmed down. A most impressive product performance. I am told one can stand the full weight of the boat and engine on end and rest them on this guard. Nope I am not invested.

Now is the time for all responsible recreational maritime boating vendors such as “ Maritime engine manufacturers” to step up to the plate, financially and provide the necessary funds to put this "production prototype "into full production and require that the Thrustor be in place to shield persons in and on the water from the continuing horrific, grotesque, life altering, frequently death inducing strike of the exposed boat propeller. It is not responsible to "let someone else do it."

Complainers, detractors, naysayer, the recreational maritime industry and there are some adamant ones, about a propeller shields/shrouds/guards law use the same criticisms as those made when a mandatory seat belt law was imposed. That being said, do you even think about it anymore or has clicking in become as routine as putting the key in the ignition? The same with this device…it is nothing more than a maritime equivalent of a seat belt.

Thanks for listening,



Robert Townsend, CLI

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