I’ve heard of 14 year-olds going for joyrides everywhere I’ve ever lived—and that almost covers the country. The fact that they were in a boat is the only major difference. Teenage males think they are invincible, and no law is going to change that.
You can either try to teach them how to operate things safely, or you can be sure they die when they take something out without permission or knowledge. I had my first gun when I was six and was driving on the farm at 12. Lived in the desert, so we didn’t boat, but I guarantee that I would have been in one at 14 if there were any water around. We drove and rode everything we could get running, and most folks would be amazed how much dangerous machinery we were able to scab together.
>>I’ve heard of 14 year-olds going for joyrides everywhere I’ve ever lived—and that almost covers the country. The fact that they were in a boat is the only major difference.
And that is a huge difference. Joyriding in a car means that you can always stop, get out of the car, make a call, and wait for help to come get you if you get in over your head. Joyriding offshore in a boat is a life and death decision. The parents of these “half-boy half-fish” boys did not instill a proper respect for the sea before allowing them to roam free on the ocean. I’m sure the parents thought of themselves as “best friends” with those boys. Most of these type of situations begin with “best friend” parents.