Here is my reason for not adding one. If all the safety related posts go to the safety forum, the only people reading safety related posts will be safety geeks (excuse the term, but you know what I mean.) The general BT public will miss some content that COULD end up saving their lives. I've lost friends. Several, actually. Some to stupid, stupid accidents. We've lost quite a few BT regulars. I hate when that happens more than I can possibly articulate. I'd rather have safety related posts stay in the general BoaterTalk forum. If one life is saved, doing this site for almost 16 years will all be worth it.

So that said, I do have a proposal. I'd like to have feedback on it. I already have a virtual guidebook module for BT. It has things like a hazard reporting system build in. I never released it because I just don't have data to write about all the runs. I could simplify the system to allow people to create run entries that just have a basic location (perhaps by drainage,) and would allow people to list current hazards on that run. You could subscribe to runs so that you would be notified of any new hazard updates. I think that would be a useful system and could potentially prevent some accidents. It isn't a forum, so we won't end up with useful information scrolling off the forum, or a place where all the good safety posts go and almost nobody reads them. It will just be a place to find out about hazards. Searchable and easy to update.

If you like this idea, let me know. If you are willing to give a hand, we can make sure the system provides all the necessary info, is easy to use, and is useful to the general boating community. I don't have a ton of time these days to create a lot of new stuff, so any help is appreciated. Sent me a message if you want to be involved with this.