| Safety | | | | using one oar that has a paddle on either |
| | | | side. Kayaks are small, streamlined boats |
| Boating is one of the favorite American | | | | that have tapered ends and slightly thicker |
| summer pastimes. Somewhere in the | | | | centers. There are openings in the middle |
| neighborhood of 70 million people go boating | | | | that are just large enough to fit one person. |
| each year. While boating is much safer than | | | | One benefit that kayaks have over canoes is |
| driving a car, there are still enough boating | | | | their portability. Kayaks are very easy to |
| accidents to raise some alarm signals as to | | | | transport due to their size as compared to a |
| why boating accidents occur. 53% of fatal | | | | canoe. Another thing that is making Kayaks |
| boating accident victims drowned, while 39% | | | | very popular is their storability. Inflatable |
| suffered trauma and 9% died of other causes. | | | | kayaks are becoming more and more popular for |
| Most boating deaths result from falling out | | | | this main reason. The serenity of paddling |
| of a small open boat, without a PFD, whether | | | | your kayak along a glassy lake in the early |
| it capsizes or not. Make sure that all | | | | morning or along a river through a small |
| boaters have on flotation devices. When | | | | canyon at sunset can be an incomparable |
| boating be alert to sudden boat motion | | | | experience. |
| changes, wind shifts, light flashes and the | | | | |
| beginning of choppy water. These sudden | | | | Engine driven boats |
| changes can all mean a storm is brewing. | | | | |
| Always carry a radio with the local "Marine | | | | Before starting your engine, always carefully |
| Band" on it. The Marine Band broadcasts storm | | | | sniff for gasoline fumes in the engine and |
| warnings, which should alert you to head in | | | | fuel areas, open hatches and run the blower. |
| to a dock until the storm blows over. | | | | Fuel fires and explosions burn and kill |
| | | | boaters each year. People who take boat trips |
| On The Water | | | | often fail to realize the potential disasters |
| | | | that can ensue if they are not careful and |
| There is no excuse for littering, especially | | | | safe on-board their boat. Over 1,000 people |
| on the water. The litter that you throw into | | | | die on boating trips per year, and many of |
| the water can contaminate fish, the water | | | | the dangers associated with boating are |
| that goes to our cities, and surrounding | | | | easily preventable. |
| farmlands. Going out on the boat with your | | | | |
| family can be a fun experience that can | | | | Alcohol and Boating |
| create many happy childhood memories for your | | | | |
| children. Growing up on the water is an | | | | Did you know? |
| experience that not all children get to have. | | | | |
| If sunbathing is a priority, then a calm | | | | 1.) The use of alcohol is involved in about a |
| inlet where you can tie floats to the boat | | | | third of all recreational boating fatalities? |
| and be lazy in the water is a perfect spot. | | | | |
| Many now rent houseboats where they spend | | | | 2.) The penalties for BUI (boating under the |
| their vacations enjoying the peace and | | | | influence) can include large fines, |
| tranquility of the waterways. | | | | revocation of operator privileges and serious |
| | | | jail terms? |
| Canoes | | | | |
| | | | 3.) It is illegal to operate a boat while |
| Canoes are designed for ease of getting in | | | | under the influence of alcohol or drugs in |
| and out, especially for older folks wishing | | | | every state? |
| to get into the sport. Canoes are versatile | | | | |
| and practical for a number of reasons, and | | | | Every boater needs to understand the risks of |
| can work in a number of different situations. | | | | boating under the influence of alcohol or |
| When it comes to introducing yourself to the | | | | drugs (BUI). The Coast Guard also enforces a |
| water, canoes are a great place to start. The | | | | federal law that prohibits BUI. This law |
| longer canoes are excellent for long open | | | | pertains to ALL boats (from canoes and |
| water trips, but you can also buy one-person | | | | rowboats to the largest ships) - and includes |
| smaller canoes for running white water. One | | | | foreign vessels that operate in U.S. waters, |
| feature that the canoe has over the Kayak is | | | | as well as U.S. vessels on the high seas. |
| its storage capacity, which allows passengers | | | | |
| to haul large amounts of accessories and | | | | Conclusion |
| supplies on extended water trips. Canoes | | | | |
| however can sometimes be difficult to | | | | Bottom line: don't drink and boat, wear your |
| transport, unless you have a full-sized | | | | lifejacket, carry a radio with the Marine |
| pickup truck and especially if you plan on | | | | Band on it, take a safe boating course and |
| loading it yourself. Another drawback of | | | | maintain a proper lookout, especially for |
| canoes is that when it rains heavily, the | | | | boaters who fit the profile of an |
| boat can fill up with water very rapidly. | | | | accident-maker. Each year hundreds of lives |
| | | | are lost... thousands are injured... and |
| Kayaks | | | | millions of dollars of property damage occurs |
| | | | because of preventable recreational boating |
| The way kayaks are designed; they seem to | | | | accidents on U.S. waterways. Too often |
| blend in with the natural surroundings | | | | pleasure outings turn tragic. You - as a boat |
| instead of disturbing them. Kayaks are never | | | | operator, passenger, or concerned individual |
| motorized...they are propelled manually, | | | | - can make a difference. |