The responsibility needs to be with the individual. Tha captain has ultimate authority, but it should remain with the individual. Each person should know their limitations on the boat. If you are little nervous, than it is time for a jacket. If you are too inexperienced, than the captain will mandate on. I watch the people carefully on my boat. If I feel they are insecure on their feet, I recommend alife jacket.

On my boat, if you leave the cockpit at night, jacket on. If conditions are nuclear, jackets on. If I am by myself and conditions are light, I do not. If conditions are more demanding, jacket on.

When I am on the Finn, jacket is ALWAYS on. It is way to easy to get bonked on the head while on the Finn; in addition, there is no one to help me if I get dazed any more than I am already.

The jackets made today are very comfortable to wear. In the winter, they keep you warm and secure. During the summer time, well, it is a sauna tool.

Personnally I do not want the government telling me what I must and must not do. It is bad enough we have the smoking nazis, helmet nazis, and the up and coming food nazis. Next they will be banning alcohol on boats because some idiot fell off his boat because he had a beer or two.

If you have a death wish, that is your choice. As my wife says, make sure the life insurance is up to date.

Carry on...