Robert

Within the past decade, major technological advances have made propeller guards for houseboats, pontoons, and higher speed vessels effective and safe. The Thrustor technology now available through Marine Propulsion Technology, Inc. has been demonstrated within the US Navy - and on houseboats and other vessels used in both commercial and recreational activities. The demonstrated results indicate that a breakthrough in both performance and safety has occurred. As a boating and marine accident engineering consultant, this technology is so significant that the USCG should examine all findings regarding the efficacy of propeller guarding technology, particularly when it comes to boats involved in search and rescue situations, homeland security initiatives where the danger of military action is involved, and in more benign settings where the speed of the craft is of lesser importance than safety, handling and maneuverability. In addition, the USCG should be considering the growing data base that shows substantial improvement in performance, handling and, therefore, safety for higher speed planing vessels.