If you're thinking of a parasailing excursion during your next Caribbean cruise, think again.
After last month's fatal flop by a 60 year old 'post soaring' Virgin Island visiting vacationer - 2011's 3rd American tourist para death - a bunch of cruise ships have said 'au revoir' to the pseudo sport.
That's right, as of now revelers on Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian & Royal Caribbean will have to search for other ways to break their necks while enjoying 7 fun filled days at sea.
It seems that although there are nearly a couple of thousand worldwide companies who will dangle you mucho feet over aqua from the aft end of a boat - there's very, very, very little legislation/licensing/etc to quality control this high flying biz.
Ok, in the USA the Coast Guard does license commercial parasail boat drivers and inspects the bigger boats - but there's zero (as in 'no') standards for parachutes, harnesses, training or flying procedures.
Over foreign waters it's even less.
Many times all a 'floating businessman' may need is a boat, motor, rope, parachute & the moxie to charge from 70 to 120 buckeroos for an 8 minute ride.
Hey, no doubt many of these high flyers are insured, believe in safety 1st & never have had an accident. But would you want to bet your life that Pedro has been properly darning his 'chute' or that he even has enough gas in his engine?
A couple of fatal 'splats' occurred when the outboard simply stopped running.
There's a chance you could get better odds at a game of Russian Roulette. And - if you're as lucky as Lindy - maybe even at 1 of all the Caribbean cruise ships' blackjack tables.
But all you death defying thrill seekers - don't despair. Holland America will still send you flying into these perhaps not so friendly skies.
However, they will only allow parasailing at their private island stop - Half Moon Cay - where HA actually owns the service & makes all of the profit$.
Here's hoping that they are as careful in checking all PS tow lines as they were in checking their own bottom one.
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