UPDATE: September 15th, 2006
Florida, IMPORTANT INSURANCE UPDATE
The Florida Department of Financial Services recently released a certificate in regards to fraudulent or sub-standard insurance companies. Please follow the links below for more information.
NO AUTHORITY CERTIFICATE
PRESS RELEASE
UPDATE: March 21, 2006
PAPO/NACWO AFFILIATION
PAPO announces launch of affiliate association; NACWO, the National Association of Commercial Watersports Operators is now accepting qualified members.
NACWO, a newly formed organization introduced to aid commercial watersports operators and insurance providers in the establishment and implementation of industry operating standards and guidelines.
NACWO, like PAPO will offer risk management services to insurance providers and related business segments in an effort to improve industry safety and professionalism by using a managed, self-regulating approach.
For more information, visit www.teamnacwo.org
UPDATE: March 19, 2006
FLORIDA
For the third straight year, Florida state law makers have introduced a bill designed to regulate commercial parasail operations. Arrit McPherson of PAPO spoke with Florida state officials while in session yesterday to voice concern regarding the content of the newly introduced bill which contains similar language to that of last years bill.
PAPO officials have been involved in discussions and working with Florida state officials and operators for three straight years regarding key issues contained in the proposed bill, and are hopeful that further amendments will be maid to the bill such as; replacing the now proposed criminal penalties with civil penalties, and include a mechanism which would allow operators the opportunity to introduce multi-passenger flight operations involving up to three participants, once specific operating standards and guidelines have been established.
PAPO supports Florida state officials in the development of a balanced and sensible form of regulation which considers both the commercial parasail operator as well as public safety.
Officials believe that a form of sensible regulation could help to level the playing field for professional operators who are currently forced to compete with renegade type operators. It should also help to strengthen the industry by attracting the now receding insurance industry back into a more controlled and standardized market. Officials also believe that other states will follow if the industry as a whole does not begin to work together to establish a viable form of self regulation.
As law makers again attempt to introduce a balanced legislative agenda, it is important that Florida operators voice their concern regarding those issues which will effect the future of their operations, regardless of your PAPO affiliation, your input is extremely important.
PAPO officials are always available to discuss issues which will affect the industry and encourage all operators to get involved.
UPDATE: February 20, 2006
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The U.S. Coast Guard Duty Office Myrtle Beach will be hosting a parasail community meeting on March 23, 2006 starting at 6:00 PM at USCG SECTOR Charleston, 196 Tradd St. Charleston SC. The meeting will take place in the Brass Buckle located on the base. The U.S. Coast Guard is extending this invitation to everyone involved in the parasail community.
The focus of this meeting is to discuss how to prevent future casualties involving parasail operations and then listen to the collective concerns of the parasail industry. From the parasail meeting that they had last year, many key issues and concerns within the parasail community were addressed with positive results. We anticipate
that with the many changes and concerns facing the industry, this workshop will initiate some good discussion. They will also discuss the U.S. Coast
Guard's Seal of Safety program for the Sector Charleston area of responsibility.
The schedule for the evening is flexible. The evening will start with Introductions and move through the following areas: CG License Issues, CG Investigations, --DNR, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and Horry County Regulations--, CG Seal of Safety Program, and conclude with general safety discussions where individuals can present their concerns.
The USCG looks forward to a productive meeting and they need your input. If you have any questions about the workshop, please call either MST2 Travis Hutton or D.F. Madray at (843) 449-4173
UPDATE: February 15, 2006
PAPO administrator urges all operators and crew members to finalize their membership renewals in order to regain Active status before the spring rush. Soon we will begin the notification process which provides status information to participating insurance carriers.
Once we have received your completed application package, please allow TWO to FOUR weeks for membership processing. If your insurance provider requires proof of membership prior to quoting, please submit your applications no later than two weeks prior to your renewal date.
For those qualified applicants wishing to expedite their membership application a $39.00 per applicant fee will be charged. Proof of membership will then be provided to applicant via email or fax within 24 hours of receiving a completed application package.
UPDATE: February 10, 2006
VIRGINIA, Officials use PAPO guidelines to aid in the development and introduction of a bill designed to improve parasail safety.
UPDATE: February 9, 2006
DUBAI, UAE: Following a seven week investigation by the Dubai Prosecution Department, two crew members involved in the accidental death of a 10-year old boy in a parasailing accident in Dubai have been charged. The tragic accident occurred after the parasail vessels towline snapped causing the young victim, identified as T.L. to travel inland were he landed on the roof of a nearby mosque were he suffered fatal head injuries. It has not yet been determined if negligence was the cause of the accident or if the region had in place minimum safety guidelines which may have helped to prevent it.
This heartbreaking accident and others like it serve as tragic, unfortunate reminders of just how serious a responsibility parasail operators have in terms of public safety, and further strengthens our mission and resolve to help create a more safe and professional parasail society.
PAPO has offered assistance to Dubai operators and officials and will continue to support all individuals and government agencies wishing to develop and implement common sense safety guidelines in an effort to prevent future tragedy.
All operators may benefit from putting themselves mentally in the position of crew members involved in an accident, as well as that of the family members of the victims- before deciding to conduct operations under conditions they may feel to be unsafe.
We must all remember young T.L.
UPDATE: February 8, 2006
LAKE GEORGE, NY- New York State officials plan to introduce in a few weeks several new commercial boating regulations, the agency hopes to get the new laws passed this legislative term. The state action is a result of the recent Ethan Allen tragedy. The new laws will affect over three hundred tour boats and several parasail operators in the state.
PAPO has contacted New York State officials offering support and guidance while drafting the laws which will affect New York state parasail operators.
UPDATE: February 3, 2006
FAA South Carolina Flight Standards District Office has scheduled the annual operator certification meeting for Thursday February 23, 2006 at 10:00 AM. The meeting will be held in the administrative office, at the Myrtle Beach International Airport. The FAA has requested the presents of several local officials and municipalities, including the U.S. Coast Guard. All area parasail operators wishing to be certified are required to attend.
For more information contact: Inspector Lanny Cline at: james.l.cline@faa.gov or Inspector Anthony G. Finocchi at: anthony.g.Finocchi@faa.gov
Phone: (803) 765-5931
Inspector Lanny Cline (Ext. 141)
Inspector Anthony G. Finocchi (Ext. 137)
|
