Boating

Boating is among the most popular past times in the USA and Worldwide. Boats range from just a few feet to monster yachts.

Popular boats include kayaks, canoes, jon boats, fishing boats, ski boats, cruising boats, sailboats, commercial fishing boats, and even miniature radio controlled boats of every type imaginable.

Boat owners find that the initial purchase price is just one expense of boat ownership. Maintenance, marina costs, trailers, storage, fuel costs, insurance, taxes, electronics upgrades and other expenses shock the new boater rather quickly.

The following are some simple -- potentially life saving tips -- for staying safe on the water:

In and around the water

* Make sure you and your children can swim - but remember, knowing how to swim DOES NOT make people drown-proof;

* Never swim or paddle a canoe or kayak if you have been drinking alcohol;

* Never dive into rivers, lakes, ponds, or the ocean -- always jump FEET FIRST to avoid hitting your head on a shallow bottom;

* Be aware of water conditions and obey any posted warnings -- even lakes and rivers can have undertow, especially near dams;

* Be aware of local weather conditions -- strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning strikes are dangerous;

* Always swim with a buddy;

* Learn CPR; and

* Remember that lifeguards are not babysitters and cannot replace active adult supervision.

While Boating

* Life jackets are for everyone and should be worn during all boating activities;

* Blow-up water wings, toys, rafts, and air mattresses should never be used as life jackets or life preservers;

* Know and obey navigation rules, operate at a safe speed and maintain a proper lookout;

* Stay in control of your vessel and respect the rights of others enjoying the waterways;

* Ensure that your boat is never overloaded; and

* Remain sober and alert - the use of alcohol contributes to accidents on the water.

USCG Boating Safety Statistics and Tips

The U.S. Coast Guard's 2007 Recreational Boating Statistics show:

685 fatalities, 3,673 injuries, 5,191 accidents and $53 million in property damage.

90 percent of drowning victims were not wearing life jackets.

Alcohol was the leading contributing factor in approximately one-fifth of all boating fatalities.

Only 14 percent of all boating fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had received boating safety instruction.

The most reported type of accident was a collision with another vessel. However, capsizing and falls overboard are the most reported types of fatal accidents and accounted for the majority, 60 percent of all boating fatalities.

Overall, operator inattention, carelessness or reckless operation, excessive speed and passenger or skier behavior are the leading contributing factors of all reported accidents.

USCG Safety Tips for Boaters

Make sure a friend or relative knows your float plan. A float plan states where you are going and how many people are on board your vessel. It also gives a vessel description, details your destination and what time you expect to arrive there. If you are delayed for some reason, make sure you let someone know.

Make certain to check the local weather prior to departing the dock. Weather can change very rapidly and you should keep a watchful eye on the forecasted conditions.

Have nautical charts of the area you are boating in, a global positioning device and a reliable means of communication on board your vessel. VHF radio is the best method of communication while on the water. Although cell phones are a good backup, they can be unreliable due to gaps in coverage area and an inevitable dead battery.

Wear your life jacket! In an emergency, there might not be enough time to put one on, so wearing one at all times may save your life.

More Water Safety Information

National Safety Council (www.nsc.org),

American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org),

Safe Kids USA (www.usa.safekids.org),

Center for Disease Control and Prevention Injury Center (www.cdc.gov/ncipc),

National MCH Center for Child Death Review (www.childdeathreview.org/causesD.htm)

American Canoe Association (www.americancanoe.org)

People that don't want to own a boat can utilize rentals, guides, charter boats, head boats, tours, or commercial cruises. These services allow boating enthusiasts to enjoy a day on the water on craft ranging from small kayaks, sportfishermen, custom sailing yachts or even a full size cruise ship.

These are basic steps to winterize marine engines.

* Fill the fuel tanks and add the appropriate amount of stabilizer.

* Run the engine long enough to get treated gas into the fuel line and engine.

* Flush the cooling system. Remove block plugs and drain all the water from inboard type engines.

* Pump in environmentally safe anti-freeze.

* Fog the engine with oil to prevent rust.

* Check the spark plugs and replace them as necessary.

* Replace the oil and oil filter on inboard type engines.

* Change the lower unit gearcase lubricant on outboards and inboard/outdrive
engines.

* ALWAYS consult your owners manual for winterizing and layup specifics.

This Albemarle Boats calendar makes a great gift.

Although recreational boaters are not required to carry an EPIRB, they are strongly recommended for ALL boaters, including kayaks and other paddle craft, along with a VHF-FM marine band radio. The 406 MHz signal sent by the newer EPIRBs when a mariner encounters distress are picked up by the COSPAS/SARSAT satellite constellation, which determines the EPIRBs position through triangulation. EPIRBs with embedded GPS are even more helpful in quickly finding a distressed boater. With GPS coordinates, the position of distress is pinpointed almost immediately. Without GPS, it may take two or three satellite passes to come up with a good, triangulated position.

source: USCG press release

During the 80th meeting of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC), Council members unanimously voted in favor of a resolution recommending that that U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) continue to seek Statutory Authority to require that a boat operator, on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, possess a certificate showing completion of an education course or its equivalent. The Council also recommended that the USCG assemble a task force to develop a draft of the minimum proposed mandatory education requirements that meet current educational standards. The objective of this task force is to resolve multiple interpretations, advance the process, and clarify their intent prior to legislative authorization.

For more information, see www.uscgboating.org

Boaters can help keep our waterways safe and secure by abiding by the Naval Vessel Protection Zone regulation, staying away from security and other
prohibited areas, and reporting suspicious activities they observe to local
authorities.

The Naval Vessel Protection Zone Regulation changes the way boaters need to handle their vessels.

The following are tips to help boats comply with the regulations:

* Keep your distance from all military, cruise-line, or commercial shipping.

* Do not approach within 100 yards and slow to minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. naval vessel, including any U.S.
military or military supply vessel. Violators of the Naval Vessel Protection Zone face up to 6 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, not to mention a quick
and severe response!

* Approaching certain other commercial vessels may result in an immediate boarding.

* Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas, especially those that involve military, cruise-line, or petroleum facilities.
Observe and avoid other restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc. Violators will be perceived as a threat, and will face a quick, determined, and severe
response.

*Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in a channel. If you do, then expect to be boarded by law enforcement officials.

* Keep a lookout for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report suspicious events to the local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the port or marina security. Contactl the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Hotline at 1-800-424-8802, or use VHF Channel 16.

* Do not approach or challenge those acting in a suspicious manner.

* Always secure and lock your boat when not on board. This includes while visiting marina restaurants, public and private docks and when stored.

Marine telematics systems normally consist of a user interface, satellite antenna, and a communication link with the vessel's electronic systems.

Marine telematics technology can be vital to the user since it provides a vital satellite link to the outside world when other communications may unavailable.

Marine telematics systems use wireless or satellite data communication systems which provide vessel tracking, emergency aid, system monitoring, internet access, and other features.

The zebra mussel, a small freshwater mollusk from the Caspian Sea, has already infested much of the Great Lakes region, causing economic and ecological damage. Free-swimming zebra mussel larvae will stick to any hard surface and begin to grow. As the mussels grow, they physically clog water systems, coat boat bottoms and any structures in water. Zebra mussels have encrusted boats, ruined power plant intakes, and changed the way municipal water systems must operate. Ecologically, zebra mussels are killing native mussels, including endangered species. Their presence been connected with widespread ecological impacts from increasing toxic microorganisms to declining duck populations.

Since inadvertent introduction into the Great Lakes in the mid-1980s, the zebra mussel has spread rapidly into freshwater habitats from Louisiana to New Hampshire. While the species free-swimming larvae move rapidly with natural currents, the main mechanism for its transport up rivers and to inland lakes is hitchhiking with people.

"Recreational boaters can unknowingly carry zebra mussels around in their bilge, minnow buckets or aquatic vegetation on their trailer." explained Dr. Ron Klauda, a biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. "In Minnesota and a number of other states, fishermen and boaters have been very effective in halting the spread of this serious pest by a little preventative maintenance.

Boaters can help by washing down hulls, cleaning bilges, removing aquatic vegetation from props and trailers, and limiting movement from place to place.

"The rate of spread of this species is nothing short of astounding," said Klauda, "We've been watching for it and trying to prevent its arrival, but here it is. Time will tell if this species will become established in the Susquehanna, but its record elsewhere is pretty grim."

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources press release

The United States Coast Guard, for the second year in a row, is launching Operation Paddle Smart to bring greater awareness to paddlesport safety in the Northeast First Coast Guard District (New England).

The district suffered the loss of 58 recreational boaters and paddlers in 2007, of which 15 canoe and eight kayak fatalities accounted for 40 percent of the total.

Historically, with the area's long-standing interest in canoeing and the continuing growth in both inland and coastal kayaking, Northeast paddlesport fatalities are more than double the national average.

As a result, last year the Coast Guard partnered with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons to generate greater safety awareness among paddlers and small boaters and launched Operation Paddle Smart. While the operation officially ran from May 1 to June 30, safety material, information, and advice were dispensed throughout the year.

Notably, while overall recreational boating and paddling fatalities declined from 58 in 2007 to 55 in 2008, paddlesport fatalities declined from 23 to 14 - a 39 percent reduction.

"Multiple factors affect boating statistics from year to year," said Cmdr. Peter Nourse, director of the First Coast Guard District's Northern Region Auxiliary. "Though we are unable to conclude quantitatively the full impact of Operation Paddle Smart last year, we do know that it had a very positive, direct affect toward the decrease in paddle craft fatalities. As a result, given this significant improvement, we are institutionalizing this yearly operation to see if we can continue to reduce the total number of paddlesport fatalities."

This year Operation Paddle Smart will run from April 1 to November 1, and will once again be a focal point for boating and paddling organizations, retailers, and others to work together to promote paddlesport safety, as well as being an information source for all paddlers and small boaters.

"Our goals are two-fold," said Bob Sweet of the Buzzards Bay Sail and Power Squadron and USPS National Education Officer. "First, we want boaters and paddlers to be aware and prepared for what can go wrong on the water. Second, we want to promote the life-saving benefit of wearing a life jacket, to highlight the immediate danger of sudden cold water immersion, to encourage boater and paddler education, and to stress the importance of being a responsible and prudent mariner. The important thing is that working together we've made a difference that has ultimately resulted in saving lives."

Auxiliary and Power Squadron members, over the next few months, will distribute paddlesport safety packets throughout the Northeast. Data will also be collected to determine what efforts worked best and to solicit response, questions and information from paddlers on how the operation can be improved or how it has benefited them.

"Operation Paddle Smart is a multi-partnered effort to educate and remind new, casual, and experienced paddlers to assess the risks, envision the consequences and be properly prepared for what can and sometimes does go wrong," said Commodore Renelle LeBlanc of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Northern Region. "We want all boaters and paddlers to enjoy their time on the water and, most importantly, return home safely."

Commodore LeBlanc also noted that Paddle Smart information is included in all Auxiliary public education courses and numerous events have been held to demonstrate the proper handling of canoes and kayaks.

Additionally, paddlers on the waters of Massachusetts are required to wear a life jacket while underway through May 15; in Connecticut through May 30 and in Maine on the Saco River below the Hiram Dam through June.

Every child on the water deserves to have the safety of a lifejacket...and you can help make it happen. Presently, the need for life jackets every year outgrows the number that the BoatUS Foundation has available to loan.

Please help Boat U.S.keep this life-saving program afloat by making a donation to the Life Jacket Loaner Program for Kids. You can even make a donation "in honor of" or "in memory of" another individual.

See the Boat U.S. Life Jacket Loaner Program for Kids Donation page.

https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=21092

Visit the Boat U.S. Life Jacket Loaner Program for Kids.