WSIA Recognized As “Game Changer” For Parasail Safety

Over the past 10 years, there have been a total of 68 parasailing-related injuries and 10 deaths. However, since 2013, the industry has seen a remarkable reduction in the number of serious injuries and deaths associated with parasailing-related activities. The Coast Guard attributes the improved safety record to the industry’s development of voluntary standards, specifically ASTM ‘Standard Practices for Parasailing F-3099-14,’ which provides guidance in areas of ‘weather’, ‘equipment’, ‘operations’, and ‘crew proficiency.’ Full article by Lt. Cmdr. James Fogel HERE.

WSIA’s annual Parasail Operators Symposium helped the ASTM develop new standards with the parasail industry. The next event will be Nov. 1-3, 2017.

CAPT Lee Boone, Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Far East, sent the following letter to the WSIA on Nov. 15, 2016:

“Congratulations to the WSIA for sticking with this consensus-based standards project, and for being a such a game changer for the parasailing industry!  The article and statistics in the Maritime Commons article tell just some of the story of course; I’ll always remember kicking this off at the January 2011 Parasail Safety Symposium in Orlando, when just about every operator out of 100 in attendance raised their hand in overwhelming support of Industry-developed ASTM standard.  This was one of the most memorable moments of my Coast Guard career, and now looking back, likely the most impactful to maritime safety. I’m looking forward to the day when I can again attend a Parasail Safety Symposium to hear the rest of this “good news” story.”

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