It is required by law if your freeboard (distance needed to climb vertically from the water surface to the edge of the vessel) is more than 20" Whether required or not,it would be useful for almost any boat provided of course your motor was stopped hen you fell out OR you were wearing you kill switch tether.
It failed not because it was owned by Sony but rather that Sony would not license another company to use it except for one. VHS on the other hand, licensed anyone who wanted to use it.
My town was rated the best place to live in Canada. I'm sure that there's lots to be done to improve but I'm still glad that we're working on it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/06/01/best-places-to-live-canada-moneysense_n_7486788.html?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000067