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