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