Received: from hplms26.hpl.hp.com by opus.hpl.hp.com with SMTP (1.37.109.8/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1) id AA01762; Wed, 13 Jul 1994 11:34:23 -0700 Return-Path: <JefWNDHNTR@aol.com-DeleteThis> Received: from mail02.prod.aol.net by hplms26.hpl.hp.com with SMTP (1.36.108.4/15.5+ECS 3.3+HPL1.1S) id AA16275; Wed, 13 Jul 1994 11:34:35 -0700 Received: by mail02.prod.aol.net (1.38.193.5/16.2) id AA18193; Wed, 13 Jul 1994 14:32:23 -0400 From: JefWNDHNTR@aol.com-DeleteThis X-Mailer: America Online Mailer Sender: "JefWNDHNTR" <JefWNDHNTR@aol.com-DeleteThis> Message-Id: <9407131432.tn365500@aol.com-DeleteThis> To: wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis Date: Wed, 13 Jul 94 14:32:20 EDT Subject: crissy...2
Jim Milestone of the National Park Service had developed the special use
permit system for paragliders at Fort Funston (facing the Pacific Ocean on
the West coast of San Francisco City) and agreed to meet with SFBA members on
May 12, 1994 to provide details of what such a system might entail. At this
meeting Mr. Milestone agreed that the threat to public safety is not as great
with windsurfing as compared to paragliding. Nonetheless, the purpose and
focus of a special use permit system for windsurfing would be to eliminate
inexperienced and uninformed windsurfers thereby reducing the need for
emergency rescue service. Mr. Milestone emphasized that the National Park
Service is into self-regulation.
SFBA members met on June 2, 1994 and June 29, 1994 to discuss this very
serious situation and to decide how to approach the SFBA general membership
to develop a consensus on the best way to respond to the National Park
Service.
SFBA members generally agree that they must respond to the National Park
Service with a positive plan to deal with the problem of increased rescues.
If that response to the National Park Service states that sailors are
already doing enough to promote safety and that will not participate in any
new system for Crissy Field, there is the very real threat that the National
Park Service will on its own implement some type of special use permit
system. The SFBA is not sure if such a system would survive a legal
challenge in that the National Park Service may not have authority to limit
public access to federal waters like the San Francisco Bay. On the other
hand, the National Park Service has referred to its authority under the Code
of Federal Regulations to establish such regulations.
An alternative, and possibly better approach, would be to persuade the
National Park Service that a special use permit regulatory scheme for
windsurfing at Crissy Field would be impractical and nearly impossible to
implement. Such a plan would certainly be impossible to administer by a
voluntary organization such as the SFBA. Furthermore, such a plan would not
necessarily accomplish the goals sought to be achieved. The SFBA is
convinced that they can develop a comprehensive plan for Crissy Field, short
of special use regulations, that would assure that all windsurfers have
knowledge of safety and rescue protocol before windsurfing at Crissy Field.
The participating SFBA members have developed the framework for a
comprehensive plan for Crissy Field to include the following:
Voluntary Safety Patrol
Beach Tower w/binoculars
Telephones on the beach
Longboard Locker/Rescue Vessel
Safety/Rescue Bulletin Boards
Safety Guide Brochures
Windsurfing Shop Involvement
Regular Beach Safety Sessions
The Voluntary Safety Patrol would be modeled after the San Luis Reservoir
Safety Patrol. They would need to tap into the hardcore "regulars" at
Crissy Field to get a list of windsurfers willing to put in some time at
Crissy Field as Safety Patrol Volunteers. Volunteers would be responsible
for hanging out at the beach and keeping an eye out to be sure there are no
obvious beginners or safety protocol violators. Safety Patrol volunteers
would use the Beach Tower to scan the water for equipment breakdowns or
individuals needing assistance. Volunteers would also sail the bay keeping
an eye out for such problems.
The installation of a beach tower with binoculars has already been discussed
with the National Park Service and it appears this will be approved. Such a
tower will allow safety patrol volunteers to better keep watch over
windsurfing activity on the bay. The installation of emergency telephones on
the beach have also been discussed with the National Park Service, and will
also assist safety patrol volunteers, as well as other windsurfers who need
to call in for assistance.
The longboard lockers and/or a safety vessel such as a jet ski or zodiac
would provide ready access by safety patrol volunteers to get out and rescue
windsurfers who need assistance. This has been successfully implemented in
other windsurfing areas and should be looked into for Crissy Field.
Immediate beach access to a longboard or jet ski could dramatically reduce
the need to call in for Coast Guard assistance.
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