Labor Day can be deadly to boaters. U.S. Coast Guard & Auxiliary offer 7 safety tips
Newsroom@DominionPost.com
PITTSBURGH — The end of the summer boating season is no time for water enthusiasts to slack on vigilance for caution and safety.
According to United States Coast Guard statistics, Labor Day weekend consistently accounts for more than 10% of all boating-related accidents and fatalities nationwide.
In light of these dangers, the U.S. Coast Guard and its Auxiliary civilian volunteers offer seven tips to stay safe while boating this upcoming holiday and into the fall season:
- Always wear a life jacket — While in many areas of the country it’s hot and steamy, don’t be tempted to forgo wearing one. National statistics show annually that more than 80% of those who drowned in boating accidents were not wearing life jackets.
- Make sure your boat is duly equipped and that the required equipment is functioning properly — Ensure your navigation lights work so you can be seen, especially at night. Better yet, take a virtual Vessel Safety Check at www.vesselsafetycheck.org to know that your boat has all the legally required and recommended equipment on-board.
- Be prepared for emergencies — If you do boat in an area that requires flares, make sure they are up-to-date. Take the time to familiarize your crew with basic emergency procedures and show them how to contact authorities for help via cell phone or marine radio. Report any local emergencies to authorities by calling 911 or Very High Frequency Radio Channel 16. Any suspicious activity that might involve terrorism should be reported to the Coast Guard’s “America’s Waterway Watch Program” at 1-877-24-WATCH.
- Boating and alcohol do not mix — Along with decreasing the operator’s ability to make good judgments, drinking alcohol negatively affects the abilities of passengers to respond in case of an emergency on the water. Effects of the sun, wind, waves and a boat’s motion in the water can also add to a skipper’s impairment. Intoxicated boaters can face both federal and state charges with penalties of up to one year in prison and as much as $100,000 in fines.
- File a float plan with a friend — A float plan for a boater is similar to a flight plan for a pilot. It lists who is going, where you’re going, what the boat looks like and when you expect to be back. Share it with friends who will be staying ashore and tell them what to do if they don’t hear from you within a reasonable time of coming home. Visit http://floatplancentral.org for a complete plan, along with instructions.
- Keep a sharp lookout for other boats, the weather or anything that is unusual — The Coast Guard asks everyone to be more aware of their surroundings, including carefully watching the weather and celebrating responsibly. Always be alert to other vessels’ signals and intentions. Above all, do not anchor in mid-channel and stay away from commercial vessels like towboats.
- Practice the 3 Cs: Caution, courtesy and common sense — Exercise caution, especially in close quarter maneuvering with other boats. In such situations, slow speeds are better. Be courteous to your fellow boaters and use common sense. Don’t cut people off at the launch ramp.
The United States Coast Guard was created by an act of Congress in 1790 and is the only military organization in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard Auxiliary, America’s civilian volunteer guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service’s missions except for military operations and direct law enforcement actions.
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