FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — May is National Water Safety Month, which also includes Safe Boating Week May 22 through 28.
Boating-related incidents are blamed for an average of 350 deaths each year nationwide, including an average of 14 boating-related fatalities in Missouri, according to statistics from the Missouri Water Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard. But there are a number of basic steps boat operators and passengers can take to stay safe.
For most experts, boating safety starts with everyone on board wearing life jackets. For Don Busbice Jr., U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood safety director, the proper use of personal floatation devices is his No. 1 boating safety tip.
“Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating,” Busbice said. “Ensure older boaters choose a life jacket that is right for younger boaters’ weight and water activity. For younger children, choose a PFD with both a collar for head support and a strap between the legs.”
Officials with the National Safe Boating Council and National Weather Service, which are the two main co-sponsors of Safe Boating Week this year, agree on the importance of life jackets. In fact, the theme of this year’s campaign is simply “Wear It.”
“We believe wearing a life jacket is the simplest way to ensure the safety of you and your family while enjoying a day on the water,” said Yvonne Pentz, NSBC communications director.
Under Missouri law, all vessels 16 feet in length and longer must have a Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board along with at least one approved throwable device. While boats under 16 feet are only required to have a throwable PFD under state law, federal law mandates that a wearable PFD is required for every person on board, and all PFDs must be stored properly.
Know the rules
Busbice advises both new boaters and experienced boaters to take a boating course.
“(All boaters) need to be familiar with the boating rules of the road. Boating safety courses are offered locally, are inexpensive and often completed in a day, in-person, or online,” he said.
The Missouri Water Patrol offers boater safety courses, with registration available on its website. Under state law, training is required for boat operators ages 37 and younger.
“Missouri’s Boater Education Law went into effect January 1, 2005. The law states that any person born after January 1, 1984, must successfully pass a Missouri Boater Education class or test before operating any motorized vessel on state lakes,” Busbice said. “The Water Patrol Division charges a $15 fee for a boater identification card, but there is no fee to take a classroom course conducted by a marine trooper.”
Prospective boaters can also learn how to maintain a proper lookout, be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids by visiting the U.S. Coast Guard’s USCG Navigation Rules information page.
Avoid alcohol
Another key safety measure boaters can take is avoiding alcohol and other intoxicants when operating any type of watercraft.
“Missouri law prohibits operating a vessel while intoxicated due to alcohol or any combination of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs,” Busbice said. “By operating a vessel on Missouri waters, you have consented to be tested for alcohol or drugs upon the request of a law enforcement official. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment and slower reaction times. Alcohol is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities.”
Other tips
Here are some other safe boating tips from the USAG Safety Office:
— Use common sense. Operate at a safe speed at all times, especially in crowded areas. Stay alert and steer clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn.
— Utilize a pre-departure checklist. This is a helpful way to check the boat and ensure the proper gear is on board.
— Be weather-wise. Check local, route and destination weather and water conditions before departure to ensure it is safe to go out on the water.
— Designate an assistant skipper. Make sure more than one person on board is familiar with all aspects of the boat’s handling, operations and general boating safety. Just in case the primary operator is incapacitated, this ensures someone else is able to get the boat back to shore.
— Develop a float plan. Whether you choose to inform a family member or staff at your local marina, let someone else know where you’re going and how long you’re going to be gone. A float plan can include the following information: name, address and phone number of the trip leader and passengers; boat type and registration information; trip itinerary; and types of communication and signal equipment on board, such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or Personal Locator Beacon.
— Never swim in a marina or in other areas where boats are connected to shore power. Stray power in the water can create an electric shock hazard.
— Stay clear of the engine. Boat captains must wear the boat’s engine cut-off switch lanyard at all times. Keep watch around the propeller area when people are in the water. Never allow passengers to board or exit your boat from the water when engines are on — or idling. Extra precautions should be taken near boats towing skiers or tubers.
COVID-19 considerations
With masking and other mitigation measures varying from community to community, there are some special considerations boaters can take to minimize risks in 2021, Busbice said.
“To ensure health and safety amid the pandemic, it’s best to only go out on a boat with the people in your household or quarantine ‘pod,’” he said. “Remember to consider the local area’s regulations. Many places set limits on the maximum number of people that are allowed to gather in groups. These same rules apply even on a boat. If you’re planning to go boating with people outside your household, it’s best to wear a face mask while you’re together. Ensure the number of people on the boat doesn’t exceed the space needed to safely maintain social distance from one another. Wear a face mask and distance yourself when entering dockside restaurants, boat ramps, fuel pumps, and marinas.”
Learn more
More tips about boating safety, fact sheets and ways to participate in Safe Boating Week are available online here.
Social Sharing