Read this before you go on the water!!

[JimW]

Hi, I'm not sure if you have heard but there was an accident on Monday
here in Duluth. It is a literal nightmare as Jim King has apparently
drowned after falling out of a small boat on the St. Louis River. They
have not yet recovered his body after two days of searching. Although
we had primarily a business relationship (Jim owned the Spirit Lake
Marina and was my landlord) we also enjoyed a great friendship, seeing
each other on a daily basis. Jim also was the contractor that managed
our house renovation just a few years ago. He had just an enormous
personality and was a wonderful person. He literally would have given
his right arm to help you. I can't say enough of how sorely he will be
missed.

What makes it terrible is that it was a preventable accident. If he
had worn the life jacket sitting on the bench in front of him he likely
would have survived. If he had clipped in the motor safety lanyard,
the boat would have stopped after he fell out. As is he has left a
family with five children and many many friends sorrowfully sad. There
will never be any solution to this horrible accident, just tears.

The reason why I am writing this is because I know all of you are
boaters, whether it be fishing, hunting, sailing, or pleasure. I know
that I have frequently thumbed my own nose at the simplest of safety
precautions. But no more. Please take the same precautions
yourselves. Wear a life jacket. Please save yourselves or your
families and friends from ever having to live through a situation like
this.

Please forward this message to any boater you know. Please print this
off and tape it to the inside of your boat, your tackle box, or where
ever you will see it when you are likely to go on the water. Don't let
this happen to you.

Jim Welinski
Duluth, Minnesota

[Sid]

Tape it on to your board as well. It has saved me once to wear my lifejacket sailing.

[JimW]

I wish I had good news for all of you but after a week of looking the search has been called off, without finding his body. It is amazing how a series of simple decisions has led to a tragic ending. Please be careful.