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.
The NTSB said people seeking to enjoy the “thrill, adventure and panoramic views of parasailing risk becoming accident victims.”
The NTSB said human error is the main cause of parasailing accidents due to poor judgment, lack of sufficient experience and improper training.
The report mentioned worn or poorly maintained gear, ignorance about overloading tow lines and other equipment, and failure to monitor wind speeds and changing weather.
Some 3 million to 5 million people participate in parasailing each year. The Parasail Safety Council says 73 people died in parasailing accidents between 1982 and 2012 out of a total of 130 million rides.
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