Rulemakings (putting the advisory into regulation) requires a cost benefit. To calculate the value in this they use a term of art called the VSL (Value of Statistical Life). That is, the average value of a human life. The amount used these days ranges from 3.2 to 5.8 Million depending on the economist writing the regulation. Thus the annual savings would be somewhere between 227.2 to 411.8 million dollars plus the added cost of searches (fuel, equipment, personnel, etc..). So, the argmuent can be compelling if spun right. Plus it can be a moneymaker for them. Think of all the tickets they can use to collect "user fees." I can't argue about the stupidity of some people (regardless of whether they are boating or not) but regulating everyone more because of 71 idiots isn't the answer. I say let Darwin's theory work!
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