Setting Sail for Boater Safety

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The summer months are finally upon us and it is time to clean off your boats and prepare them for launch. As the temperatures start heating up and that itch to get out on the water becomes one you cannot ignore, it is a good idea to freshen up on some boating safety tips to ensure you and your families have a safe voyage this summer. A quick review of boater safety rules and regulations is a great place to start!

First off, being stranded in your car is annoying; however, being stranded in your boat could be life threatening! To keep this from happening, it is important to verify that your boat is up to standards before embarking for the summer. The U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) Boating Safety Division website offers a free vessel safety check in which a certified examiner will come inspect your boat to determine whether or not it meets current safety standards and regulations.

If the boat does not meet standards, the examiner provides a list of recommendations and actions required to meet regulations. No, harm no foul, only your safety in mind! If the boat meets all safety regulations, the owner receives an official decal to place on the boat signifying compliance on all inspections and safety regulations. Meeting all safety requirements is a crucial step to preventing boating accidents.

Although boating inspections are important for safe operation, having the required safety equipment is paramount. The life jacket is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment for boating. In 2017, the USCG reported 4,291 recreational boating accidents of which, 658 involved deaths. Many of these deaths may have been prevented if the victim had simply been wearing a life jacket.

There are two types of life jackets, inflatable and inherently buoyant. High-speed water activities, such as waterskiing and tubing require a high impact, inherently buoyant life jacket to withstand the constant beating from the water. While activities such as fishing require an inflatable life jacket to allow for more movement. When sizing a life jacket ensure that it fits snug and does not ride up when in the water. This is applicable to children as well as adults.

It is a Federal law that all passengers must have a proper USCG approved life jacket available while riding in a boat. Boats longer than 16 feet must have at least one USCG approved throw-able floatation device other than a life jacket, such as a throw-able floating seat cushion, that can aid in the survival of a stranded swimmer.

Finally, operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal under both State and Federal law. Most boating accidents between two or more boats occur because of operator inattention. Alcohol impairment only increases the likelihood that an operator will be inattentive. Because of the motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind, and spray of the marine environment, alcohol impairment and fatigue are accelerated while boating. As a result, it is important to remember that drinking and boating can have the same consequences as drinking and driving. Additionally, abiding by boating inspections and safety regulations, wearing a life jacket, and never operating a boat while intoxicated will ensure a safe and fun boating season.