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Summer’s Best Investment: Boating Safety

Few things beat a day on the water, but as recreational boaters head out in rising numbers from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, boating safety should be a top concern.

A good place to start is understanding what causes boating accidents afloat and how to avoid them. Most boating fatalities involve boats that are 16 feet or smaller, and in many cases result from people falling overboard. Not surprisingly, the leading cause of death is drowning as 90% of accident victims go overboard without a life jacket.

The statistic underscores a central point: Most boating fatalities are preventable. And yet the simplest safety precaution is the one we’re most likely to skip. Most boaters don’t wear a life jacket, opting instead to stow them in bins and under hatches where they’re inaccessible at a moment’s notice. Many people view the bulky horse collars and insulated vests as too hot and restrictive in Florida’s steamy climate.

Newer lightweight inflatable PFDs or personal floatation devices are less obtrusive and far more comfortable, making them easy for boaters to wear all the time. The slimmer PFDs, which come in a variety of styles ranging from suspenders to beltpacks, are equipped with air cartridges that make them inflate in the water. While far more expensive than standard life jackets – at $80 or more versus $10 for a basic vest, they’re a good option for those who can afford them.

Sign up for Boater Safety Classes

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 72 offers boating skills and seamanship programs Tuesday nights from 7:30-9:30 p.m., 1300 Beach Dr. in St. Petersburg. The fee for the 9-week course is $40 and students can start any Tuesday. Call (727) 823-3753 for more information or visit http://nws.cgaux.org/index.html to find a course near you. Courses also are offered by local Power Squadron clubs. For locations and more information, visit www.usps.org.

“The simple fact is life jackets save lives, but only if you wear them,” says Jim Fogle, a boating safety instructor with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

It’s advice worth heeding.

More people were killed last year in boating accidents in Florida than in any other state in the U.S. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there were 77 boating fatalities and 668 accidents in 2007.
Seventy percent of boaters involved in accidents had no formal boater education training.

One of the best investments boaters can make is taking a boating safety course offered by local Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron clubs. Florida requires boaters 21 years of age or younger to complete an approved boating course or pass an equivalency exam before operating a vessel with a motor of 10 HP or more. Courses cover topics including basic boat handling, safety, boating laws and navigation. And many insurance companies offer discounted premiums to individuals who have completed them.

Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadron clubs also perform complimentary “no risk” vessel inspections to check for required safety equipment. Examiners don’t issue citations, so there’s no need to worry about enforcement. What you can expect is peace of mind and a list that can help you address potential problems that might put you in violation of the law. Visit vesselsafetycheck.org or call 1-800-368-5647 for information.

Officials also offer these safe-boating tips:

File a float plan to let others know where you’re going and when you expect to return.

Because of the high incidence of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities, it’s important to designate a driver who won’t be drinking.

Use nautical charts and reference them regularly to ward off a host of dangerous situations, including running aground.

Invest in technology. A VHF marine radio equipped with DSC or Digital Selective Calling can be your lifeline to the Coast Guard or another boater when emergencies arise. Whether you choose a fixed VHF radio or purchase a handheld transmitter, having the equipment on board is extra insurance if the unforeseen occurs.

Another highly useful aid is a good GPS or global positioning system to accurately pinpoint your location. Differential GPS systems offer even greater precision because they read signals from Coast Guard beacons on land in addition to satellites.

As a last line of defense in the event of capsizing or sinking, consider adding an automatic EPIRB, short for Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon, which begins transmitting a signal to the Coast Guard when it is submerged in water. Manual models must be turned on to begin transmitting.