http://www.kmov.com/news/local/A-fatal-boating-accident-leaves-two-men-dead-132379978.html

This really hits home to me because we were there today and must have drove right past them a few hours after it happened. It has my mind racing a thousand different directions..."what could I have done differently" "what if they were still alive when we went by"...."what if that were me".

Also got me thinking about the whole life jacket thing, I'm not sure why...but I dont typically wear a life jacket while on the boat. How many of you wear one and how often?

On a plus side...we did have a decent hunt!

Very sad man! Hate it for them and their family's.

I understand your concern for the two boaters/fisherman but hind sight is 20/20.
When IL boat regs say to wear your life vests when the boat is in motion one can see why. We're all guilty of not doing it all the time.
This accident is near my neighborhood.
Much to young to die in such a since less way!

A terrible tragedy, My prayers go out to the family.

I understand your concern for the two boaters/fisherman but hind sight is 20/20.
When IL boat regs say to wear your life vests when the boat is in motion one can see why. We're all guilty of not doing it all the time.
This accident is near my neighborhood.
Much to young to die in such a since less way!

Are you really suppose to wear them
at all times when in motion?

http://www.boater101.com/Course/documents/IL/ILstatelaws.pdf

The only ones required to wear a pfd while underway are those under 13.

Personal Flotation Devices (life preservers):
It is unlawful to operate any watercraft unless at least one USCG-approved PFD of the
following types or their equivalent is on board for each person: Type I, Type II or Type III
(wearable PFDs). The PFD requirement does not apply to sailboards.
Any watercraft 16 feet or more in length, except a canoe or kayak, must have at least one
Type IV (throwable) USCG-approved PFD or its equivalent on board, in addition to the PFDs
required above. When assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane, or similar device, there
must be one USCG-approved PFD on board the watercraft for each person being assisted or
towed, or worn by the person being assisted or towed. NOTE: A ski belt is not a USCGapproved
PFD.
The type of PFD and USCG approval information will be found on the device label.
All such PFDs mentioned in this section must be readily accessible, in serviceable condition, of
an appropriate size for whom it is intended, and legibly marked with the U.S. Coast Guard
approval number.
No person may operate a personal watercraft (PWC) or specialty prop-craft unless each person
aboard is wearing a Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V PFD approved by the U.S. Coast
Guard.
No person may operate a watercraft under 26 feet in length unless a Type I, Type II, Type III,
or Type V personal flotation device is being properly worn by each person under the age of 13
on board the watercraft at all times in which the watercraft is underway. This requirement,
however, does not apply to persons who are below decks in totally enclosed cabin spaces. This
provision does not apply to a person operating a watercraft on private property.
Mandatory PFD Usage
Illinois law requires that all children under the age of 13 must wear a USCG-approved
PFD while on a recreational vessel under 26 feet that is underway, unless they are in an
enclosed cabin or below deck.

I know I should wear mine, but I never do.. Shame on me- it could happen one day.. All it take is one rogue wave at the wrong angle or a wet hand slipping off the tiller handle at the wrong time.. Need to start wearing them..

Bad bad bad. I wear mine when I am under way all then time because of a promise i made my wife and because of the motor i run. I also think that it is a good idea to wear one that is brightly colored even when you are going to your hunting destination.

No one likes wearing a lifejacket, but what a simple device that can make a huge difference. I wear an inflatable one while underway. I got it for fishing out of the canoe though so it is one that you have to pull to inflate. I'd like another with the immersion trigger that auto inflates when you it the water for the big boat. More of a chance of knockin your head out under big power than paddle or troller. They are a bit pricey compared to standard jackets, but a whole lot more comfortable and less cumbersome.

I rarely wore a life jacket, figuring I would always have time to grab one and get into it if the boat flipped. Hey, it was right there; it would be floating close by...right? Several years ago on a very cold, 15* moring, I was going duck hunting alone. I decided to slip on my conventional Sterns life vest. Well, with the added layers, cold, stiff material, it was a major contortionist event to get the vest on. Plus, I had to make several strap adjustments to make it go over the winter clothes. It really opened my eyes. My Christmas present to myself that year was a couple of auto inflatable vests. They might be expensive, but they are cheaper than a funeral.

Very sad. :(

We wear ours during tournaments as required but otherwise we tend to cruise sans pfd.

I have say tho', it's darn near impossible to swamp or flip our pontoon boat so our only real worry is other boats and hitting submerged stuff. And the top speed for our boat is less than 20 mph.

If we had a fast, sinkable, flippable boat... I'd be wearing my pfd a lot more.