Florida Parasailing Bill Aims to Prevent Deadly Parasail Accidents
A new bill proposed in Florida and named for the victim of a deadly parasailing accident hopes to establish guidelines for an industry that critics say lacks safety regulations.
A Florida newspaper reports that the proposed bill is called the Alejandra White Act (Senate Bill 392) -- named for a young tourist who died last year when her parasail malfunctioned and dragged her toward shore, crashing her into objects on the beach below. She died from her injuries. The fatal parasail accident occurred in Clearwater Beach in Sept. 2010 as the Georgia couple, who were vacationing in Florida, decided to take a parasail ride. The victim's fiance, who was with her on the tandem parasail when their tow line reportedly broke, was able to free himself in the water. He survived the Fla. parasail accident and filed a lawsuit.
If passed, Senate Bill 392 would require Florida parasailing operators to...
- Equip their parasail harness apparatus with safety devices allowing parasailers to quickly release themselves in the event of an emergency
- Suspend parasail operations during high winds
- Obtain a license issued by the US Coast Guard that allows for carrying passengers for hire
- Carry at least $1 million per person in injury and death insurance
Experienced Fort Lauderdale parasail accident attorneys follow developments in Florida laws and regulations designed to keep consumers safe. For years, parasail safety advocates have demanded that the state of Florida enact legislation that requires parasailing operators to make their parasail rides safer--as self-regulation hasn't worked.
The founder of the Parasail Safety Council helped draft the current proposed bill. If the bill passes into law, Florida parasailing ride operators who do not follow the requirements will be subject to second-degree misdemeanor charges. The newspaper quotes a figure of 15 people who have died in Florida in the last 20 years, as a result of parasailing accidents.
Proposed parasailing bill would require insurance coverage, quick-release safety devices
St. Petersburg Times Jan. 15, 2011
Details of Parasail Regulations Bill SB392
Parasail Safety Council Jan. 14, 2011
Related Florida Parasail Accident Lawyer article:
Florida Parasailing Accident Survivor Speaks Out on Death of Fiancee
