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