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NTSB says parasailing is risky, urges regulation

By WTOP Staff

BETH J. HARPAZ
AP Travel Editor

The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday declared parasailing to be risky and urged the U.S. Coast Guard to require that operators be licensed.

“Passengers seeking to enjoy the thrill, adventure and panoramic views of parasailing risk becoming accident victims,” the NTSB report issued in Washington stated. “Due to the nature of parasailing, accidents usually result in either serious injury or death.”

In examining a series of accidents, the NTSB said “human error” by operators is the main cause of parasailing accidents due to “poor judgment, lack of sufficient experience, improper training” and other factors such as worn or poorly maintained gear, ignorance about overloading tow ropes and other equipment, and failure to monitor wind speeds and changing weather.

The NTSB said there are currently no uniform requirements for operator training, equipment inspection or suspension of operations in bad weather.

The Coast Guard, however, does not appear eager to get involved with licensing. Asked to comment on the licensing proposal, Coast Guard spokesman Carlos A. Diaz reiterated an emailed statement from his agency noting simply that it continues to work with the parasailing industry and government entities to improve training, safety and standards.

Some 3 million to 5 million people participate in parasailing each year, with about 325 operators in the U.S. and its territories, including Puerto Rico.

The Parasail Safety Council estimates that 73 people died in parasailing accidents between 1982 to 2012, with 429 seriously injured in the course of taking 130 million rides. Council founder Mark McCulloh said he “absolutely” supports the NTSB’s recommendation for the Coast Guard to license operators.

The NTSB said requiring operators to be licensed “would not eliminate all shortcomings” but “would set a minimum level of experience and professional competence.”

The NTSB report cited details on parasailing accidents since 2009 in which seven people died and four were injured. Some victims drowned as they were dragged through the water, others crashed into buildings or power lines, and one died when a worn-out harness separated from the flight bar.

Even a knot commonly used to fasten tow ropes is risky, the agency said, because the knot reduces rope strength “by as much as 70 percent, even on brand-new, otherwise strong ropes.” Ropes are further weakened by wind, usage, and sun and saltwater exposure.

The NTSB also recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration review regulations intended to avoid collisions between parasailing vessels and aircraft. Among other things, the NTSB cited a contradiction between an FAA rule that gives aircraft the right of way over parasailing vessels and other navigation rules that suggest parasailing vessels are restricted in their ability to maneuver. One accident cited involved a collision between a banner-towing plane and a parasailing operation off of Gulf Shores, Alabama.

In an emailed comment, the FAA said it would review the NTSB’s recommendations and consider efforts to reduce the risk of midair collisions.

The NTSB also urged drafting of model legislation by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators as a way to “not only call attention to the significant risk associated with the activity,” but also to make it easier for state legislatures and other governmental bodies to regulate the industry.

Florida, which is home to a third of all U.S. parasailing operations with about 100 operators, recently passed legislation requiring insurance for the industry and safety briefings.

McCulloh said the NTSB report was accurate and educational but “falls short” of safety measures such as changes in harness design.

The Water Sports Industry Association supports the NTSB recommendations and said it has been working to develop safety standards for parasailing. “We have no issues with having the industry regulated,” said WSIA executive director Larry Meddock. “We think it’s the right thing to do.”

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Follow Beth Harpaz on Twitter: @AP_Travel

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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