Overweight People’s Rights Activists May Target Boating Industry
Burger and large fries with that vanilla shake please. The United States Coast Guard has become so concerned with America’s growing waistline that they are now proposing a change in the way boat captains measure the maximum allowed weight of a boat. Changing something that has been in place since the 1960’s won’t be easy but the United States Coast Guard is now proposing that boat captains change the assumed weight of an adult from 160 lbs. to 185 lbs. Come on now, even some of the vegans I know don’t weight 160 lbs. Like duhhh, it’s about time.
Some boat captains and recreational boaters are crying foul as increasing fuel costs are already weighing on the industry. One boat captain out of Long Island told us, “This rule may put us out of business. During the summer months, we try to fit everyone on this boat that we could to make ends meat. This is going to change things significantly.”
The U.S. Coast Guard will take comments on the proposed rule change until November 18, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Coast Guard docket number USCG-2007-0030 to the Docket Management Facility at the U.S. Department of Transportation. To avoid duplication, please use only one of the following methods:
(1) Online: http://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
(3) Hand delivery: Room W12-140 on the Ground Floor of the West
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
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