Boating This Summer? Stay Safe With These Safety Tips
NEW YORK (MainStreet) Here's a statistic we bet you didn't know there are more than 12 million recreational boats operating in U.S. waters, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Unfortunately, there were also more than 4,500 boating accidents in the U.S. last year, with 3,000 boaters requiring professional medical treatment, the Coast Guard reports.
To avoid becoming part of those statistics, Ace Recreational Marine Insurance is offering some boating safety tips to keep you, your family and friends safe on the water during the hot summer months.
"Since nearly half of all fatal accidents occur over the summer months, there's no question that taking steps to promote boating safety, especially when waterways are most crowded, can potentially have a significant impact on saving lives," says Damon R. Hostetter, a senior vice president at the company. "Safe boating should be the aim of all boaters and comes from active participation in ongoing education and training, as well as hands-on boating experience. Understanding and obeying navigational rules and safety procedures has proven to help reduce injuries and property damage."
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The tips:
Don a life jacket. The Coast Guard says that 71% of boating accident victims drowned last year, and 85% of those victims didn't wear a life jacket. And don't take shallow water for granted, since 70% of drowning victims perished in less than 21 feet of water.
Put a cork in that jug. Ace says alcohol was the "leading cause of all fatal boating accidents in 2012." Leave the booze on land when you shove off or you face an increased risk of an accident.
Go to boating school.Boat owners can get a break on their insurance and become better boaters by taking a water safety training course. Ace recommends the Coast Guard website website as a good place to start.
Know the navigation rules. Ace reports that violations of seagoing navigational rules contributed to 290 boating accidents last year, along with 13 deaths. Avoid any accidents and potential legal complications by adhering to local waterway navigation rules.
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Watch the weather. On the water, weather changes fast. Make sure you have access to weather data while on your boat, and head in at the first sign of incoming trouble, especially any "bad weather" advisories.
Ace also advises carrying an emergency position locator (such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or Global Positioning System interfaced Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, and/or a Personal Locator Beacon. Those locators are especially helpful in cold waters, where the odds of hypothermia are greatly increased.
Also, make sure you let a family member or friend know when you're leaving, where you're going and when you're expected back. If you are in harm's way on the water, you can be sure help is on the way.
Above all, don't take boat safety for granted. Relaxing on your boat is the reason you bought in the first place, but keep safety a priority and you'll be enjoying it for years even decades to come.
By Brian O'Connell