[Mixtape]

If my memory serves, every boat I've ever been on has had one. In my experience though, it rarely gets used, especially if the individual driving is also fishing. The article states that Scheller was trolling at the time, so he likely wanted to be able to leave the console and grab his rod at a moment's notice. Reckless as it may be, driving with the power key attached to the console in some way rather than yourself makes that process faster and much easier. It's a trade-off between convenience and safety that, unfortunately, leads many to favor convenience a majority of the time.

[matthewdgreen]

Seems like there should be some inexpensive way to buy/built a BTLE “kill switch” that hooks onto your belt. (And indeed a simple search turns up such a product for about $200.)

[sandworm101]

Killing the power can help in some situations, but nowhere near all of them. A small boat moves very differently than a person treading water. It drifts in the wind. A swimmer doesn't. Even with the engine off, there is a good chance that he wouldn't get back on. And a one-foot wave isn't so small when your eyes are only a couple inches above the water. You need a positive connection between you and boat.