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How To Be A Safe Boater

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



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