| You really have to wonder what Shirley
| |
| | before launching.
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| and her friends were thinking as they
| |
| | * About 25 percent of boating deaths
|
| roared their motorboat up and down the
| |
| | involve alcohol. The marine environment
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| Mississippi River. First, they drank too
| |
| | accelerates impairment. Tests have shown
|
| much alcohol under the steady gaze of a
| |
| | only one-third the amount of alcohol that
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| hot July sun.
| |
| | makes a person legally impaired on the
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| Then they forgot to check the gas gauge
| |
| | road is enough to make a person equally
|
| and ran out of fuel. Finally, drifting at
| |
| | impaired on the water. If someone does
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| the mercy of the river, they failed to
| |
| | drink, use a designated driver.
|
| put on their life jackets.
| |
| | Life Jackets Are A Must
|
| Is it any wonder that when the boat
| |
| | * Over 50 percent of fatal accidents are
|
| struck a barge and sank, the member of
| |
| | due to capsizes and falls overboard. They
|
| their group who could not swim drowned.
| |
| | usually result from overloading, poor
|
| Just a little clear-headed thinking could
| |
| | weight distribution, high-speed
|
| have prevented a tragedy.
| |
| | maneuvers, leaning over the edge, and
|
| In a recent reporting period, almost 700
| |
| | operator error.
|
| people died in nearly 5,000 recreational
| |
| | * Almost 85 percent of people who drown
|
| boating accidents. To stay safely afloat:
| |
| | in boating-related incidents were not
|
| Know The Basics
| |
| | wearing a life jacket. All occupants
|
| * Take a boating-safety class to learn
| |
| | should have a Coast Guard-approved life
|
| basic seamanship skills. Nearly 70
| |
| | jacket. Make sure life jackets are
|
| percent of boating fatalities involve an
| |
| | selected and fitted for each passenger.
|
| operator who didn't complete such a
| |
| | * If you stand up for any reason in a
|
| course.
| |
| | small boat, wear a life jacket.
|
| * To take a class, contact a local
| |
| | * Don't sit on your life jacket when it
|
| safe-boating organization, or the U.S.
| |
| | is not in use. The weight could damage
|
| Coast Guard Information Line, (800)
| |
| | the protective shell.
|
| 368-5647, or visit the Coast Guard
| |
| | * Test your life jacket annually.
|
| website.
| |
| | * Children and nonswimmers should wear a
|
| * Know the rules and regulations of the
| |
| | life jacket on any small boat or near
|
| area you will be navigating.
| |
| | water.
|
| * Get a free vessel safety check and a
| |
| | Chart A Safe Course
|
| list of recommended safety equipment from
| |
| | * Be especially careful the first few
|
| the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S.
| |
| | trips of the season. Your skills might be
|
| Power Squadron. Make sure all items are
| |
| | rusty.
|
| on board and work.
| |
| | * Many accidents are the result of a
|
| * Before you cast off, be sure you have
| |
| | collision with another boat or an object
|
| tools to make repairs.
| |
| | in the water, such as rocks, pilings, or
|
| * Be sure the boat is in top operating
| |
| | debris. Stay alert. Use many of the same
|
| condition, with no tripping hazards,
| |
| | defensive measures you employ to drive a
|
| sharp edges exposed, or fire hazards.
| |
| | car.
|
| * Maintain fuel and ventilation systems
| |
| | * The overwhelming majority of capsizings
|
| as directed in the owner's manual and
| |
| | occur on small boats because of sudden
|
| state and federal requirements.
| |
| | weight shifts. Move carefully and
|
| * Check the fuel system for leaks or
| |
| | cautiously. Everyone should remain in
|
| signs of deterioration. Replace
| |
| | their seats while the boat is in motion.
|
| immediately a corroded fuel tank, or
| |
| | * Travel at safe speeds. Avoid sudden and
|
| hoses that feel cracked, brittle,
| |
| | sharp high-speed turns.
|
| swollen, damp, or mushy.
| |
| | * Give swimmers, skiers, and divers
|
| * Heed regulations concerning fire
| |
| | plenty of distance. Be especially alert
|
| extinguishers, and keep them in good
| |
| | near boat docks.
|
| condition and readily available.
| |
| | * Before heading out, check the latest
|
| * Give someone your itinerary.
| |
| | local weather forecast.
|
| * Close hatches and openings before
| |
| | * Head for shore when the weather turns
|
| fueling. Turn off electrical gear and
| |
| | bad. Everybody should immediately don a
|
| appliances. No smoking.
| |
| | life jacket. Sudden wind shifts and
|
| * Fill tanks 90-95 percent full to allow
| |
| | choppy water can mean a storm is brewing.
|
| for expansion. Fill portable tanks off
| |
| | * Carry a portable radio for weather
|
| the boat.
| |
| | reports. A cellular phone, and a marine
|
| * After fueling, wipe up all spills. Open
| |
| | radio when venturing far from shore, are
|
| all hatches. For inboard engines, run the
| |
| | good additions.
|
| bilge blower at least four minutes before
| |
| | * If your boat capsizes, don't panic.
|
| starting up.
| |
| | Stay with the boat.
|
| * Never start the engine until all traces
| |
| | * Don't boat alone.
|
| of vapors are eliminated. Your nose is
| |
| | * Wear your life jacket. It floats - you
|
| your best detector.
| |
| | don't.
|
| * Check for power lines in your path
| |
| |
|
