PS,I didn't mean to start a flame game. Your points are all well taken and I learned something about SOLAS that I missed in my scan of the (many) pages of documentation. I'm simply describing a situation where there are many variables that you can't picture that help offset - and I stress the word "help" -the legitimate concerns you have stated.

I don't have all the answers. I am generally a "belt and suspenders" type erring on the side of caution. I think you'll agree that many active sports - rock climbing comes to mind - are inherently risky. I personally thing free climbing is insane but I have no technical skills to judge the circumstances where it is "reasonable". Hence my reference to risk adversion.

Be that as it may, I would gently point out that you essentially highjacked my original thread. Let's start over. I'm going to initiate a new discussion.

Cheers. And, Down the British.