Boat Safely This Summer!!

Boating is one of the most popular recreational activities in the US. Living in the Rocky Mountain Northwest, most of us spend summers enjoying the water.

With nearly 13 million registered recreational vessels in the US, it is important to be reminded of some basic safety tips. As we know, accidents happen and we want to make sure we are prepared for them.

Proper safety is essential to enjoying the water and keeping safe. Consider the following safety tips.

Safety Tips:

1. Always wear a life jacket and insist that your crew and guests do the same.
2. Never drink alcohol while boating.
3. Take a boating safety course.
- Operator errors account for 70% of boating accidents. You may even qualify for a reduced insurance rate if you complete a safety course. Contact your local Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Power Squadron chapter or visit http://www.uscg.mil for more information on courses in your area.
4. Obey boating safety recommendations and navigational rules.
- Operate at a safe speed and always maintain a careful lookout. Overall, operator inattention, operator inexperience, excess speed and improper lookout were the leading contributing factors in all reported accidents.
5. Check the weather forecast.
- A calm day can quickly turn ugly on the water. Keep an eye out for changing weather conditions and stay on top of the forecast while boating.
6. Hyperthermia is a significant risk factor for injury and even death while boating.
- Cold water accelerates the onset and progression of hypothermia since body heat can be lost 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air. Be prepared for cold water, especially when boating in waters that are below 59ºF.
7. Use a carbon monoxide (CO) detector.
- CO can harm and even kill you inside or on the deck of your boat. All internal combustion engines emit carbon monoxide, an odorless, tasteless, colorless, poisonous gas that can make you sick in seconds and kill in minutes.
8. File a float plan.
- The US Coast Guard recommends that you always tell a friend or family member where you plan to go and when you'll be back.
9. Remember, you can have your vessel checked for safety - for free!
- The US Coast Guard Auxiliary and US Power Squadron offer Vessel Safety Checks at no cost. Their certified vessel examiners will check your boat's equipment and provide information about its use, safety procedures and applicable regulations. Carry USCG currently approved visual distress signals at all times. Visit the US Coast Guard web site at http://www.uscgboating.org/fedreqs/default.html for more information.