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Walsh's teak surfing
language added to different bill
16th District legislator working with local family
to get message out
Rep. Maureen Walsh,
R-College Place, led efforts to amend Senate Bill 6364 today to include
language from another measure she sponsored that would warn the public
about the dangers of carbon monoxide inhalation from boats.
Senate Bill 6364, which would eliminate teak surfing, passed the House
today. Teak surfing involves holding onto a moving boat’s rear platform
– often made of teakwood – and letting go to bodysurf in the wake.
“We’re seeing tragic situations where people have been poisoned through
carbon monoxide inhalation from behind a boat – ultimately resulting in
their deaths,” said Walsh. “This hit close to home as a beautiful young
lady from College Place drowned. I listened to her parents as they told
me about their daughter’s death from CO poisoning – a death that could
have been avoided if they were aware of the reality of asphyxiation from
these dangerous fumes.”
Walsh had prime sponsored House Bill 2899, which would revise state
vessel laws to educate the public about carbon monoxide poisoning from
boats through safety stickers and informational brochures.
Unfortunately, it died in the House Appropriations Committee.
“I don’t care whom gets the credit for this legislation passing, it is
just imperative that it passes. If we can warn the public about this
issue and protect lives in the process, it will be an important step in
the right direction. We can do this by requiring boats to have safety
stickers on the issue and by distributing informational, safety
brochures during boat registration renewals,” said Walsh. “No family
should ever have to endure such a preventable tragedy. My heart aches
for all the victims’ families and I admire their courage in sharing
their stories. Their selfless efforts will someday save lives in our
state.”
The legislative session is scheduled to end March 9.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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