| You really have to wonder what Shirley | | | | * About 25 percent of boating deaths |
| and her friends were thinking as they | | | | involve alcohol. The marine environment |
| roared their motorboat up and down the | | | | accelerates impairment. Tests have shown |
| Mississippi River. First, they drank too | | | | only one-third the amount of alcohol |
| much alcohol under the steady gaze of a | | | | that makes a person legally impaired on |
| hot July sun. | | | | the road is enough to make a person |
| Then they forgot to check the gas gauge | | | | equally impaired on the water. If |
| and ran out of fuel. Finally, drifting | | | | someone does drink, use a designated |
| at the mercy of the river, they failed | | | | driver. |
| 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 of | | | | due to capsizes and falls overboard. |
| their group who could not swim drowned. | | | | They usually result from overloading, |
| Just a little clear-headed thinking | | | | poor weight distribution, high-speed |
| could 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 | | | | in boating-related incidents were not |
| afloat: | | | | wearing a life jacket. All occupants |
| Know The Basics | | | | should have a Coast Guard-approved life |
| * Take a boating-safety class to learn | | | | jacket. Make sure life jackets are |
| basic seamanship skills. Nearly 70 | | | | selected 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 a | | | | small boat, wear a life jacket. |
| course. | | | | * Don't sit on your life jacket when it |
| * To take a class, contact a local | | | | is 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 the | | | | water. |
| 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 equipment | | | | trips of the season. Your skills might |
| from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or | | | | be 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 have | | | | in 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 operating | | | | defensive 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 systems | | | | capsizings occur on small boats because |
| as directed in the owner's manual and | | | | of sudden weight shifts. Move carefully |
| state and federal requirements. | | | | and cautiously. Everyone should remain |
| * Check the fuel system for leaks or | | | | in their seats while the boat is in |
| signs of deterioration. Replace | | | | motion. |
| 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 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 |
| for expansion. Fill portable tanks off | | | | brewing. |
| 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 four | | | | good additions. |
| minutes before starting up. | | | | * If your boat capsizes, don't panic. |
| * Never start the engine until all | | | | Stay 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 path | | | | don't. |
| before launching. | | | | |