but the preference has nothing to do with life vests. Crossing the gulf of Maine at 0200, I thought I was being run down. There was a sudden flashing strobe behind me. The water activated strobe attached to the horseshoe ring had gotten wet with spray and decided to do it's thing. There were a few anxious moments there before I figured things out. I've still got the same strobe, but it's now shielded a bit from spray.