Cooperative Living July 2015 - 24

SAFETY SENSE
Safe Boating
Starts with You
W
hether
you own
your
own watercraft or
have boat-owning
friends who may
invite you to join them,
spending time on
Virginia's lakes and
rivers is a popular
summer pastime and
perfect way to enjoy
our state's natural
beauty.
BUT WHETHER YOU'RE PLANNING TO FISH, WATER SKI OR JUST SOAK UP SOME RAYS,
TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO REVIEW THESE TIPS TO HELP ENSURE EVERYONE ABOARD STAYS SAFE:
* BE WEATHER-WISE. Always check local
weather conditions before departing. If
you notice darkening clouds, rough changing
winds or sudden drops in temperature,
play it safe by getting off the water.
* FOLLOW A PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST.
Proper boating safety includes being
prepared for any possibility on the water.
Items you must have on board to legally
operate motorboats include a fire extinguisher,
throwable flotation device and
properly working lights, as well as enough
life jackets for everyone on board.
* OBEY NAVIGATIONAL AIDS. Respect
posted no-wake zones and operate at a
safe speed, especially in crowded areas.
Keep a lookout for and steer clear of
watercraft that can be restricted in their
ability to stop or turn, such as sailboats
and large commercial vessels. Also, be
respectful of buoys and channel markers,
which have been placed there to ensure
your own safety.
* DESIGNATE AN ASSISTANT
SKIPPER. Make sure more than one person
on board is familiar with all aspects of
22
your boat's handling, operations, and general
boating safety to be ready to take
over if the primary operator is injured or
incapacitated in any way, to make sure
everyone can get safely back to shore.
* DEVELOP A FLOAT PLAN. If you have
an extended trip in mind, make sure a family
member or the staff at your local marina
know where you're headed and how
long you plan to be gone. Your shore contact
should know passenger names and
phone numbers, boat registration information,
and what type of communication and
signal equipment are on board.
* MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS A LIFEJACKET
THAT FITS. A majority of drowning
victims are boaters not wearing their
lifejackets. The skipper can require children
and also adults not able to swim to wear
theirs while onboard.
* LEARN HOW TO SWIM WELL. For
those spending lots of time in and around
the water, practicing your swimming skills
will enhance your safety. Local organizations,
such as the American Red Cross,
offer training for all ages and abilities.
* STAY PROPERLY HYDRATED. Have
plenty of water and non-alcoholic beverages
on board for all passengers. Studies
have shown that the effects of alcohol are
exacerbated by sun and wind, and the
probability of being involved in a boating
accident doubles when alcohol is involved.
* COMPLETE A SAFE BOATING
COURSE. Virginia law requires all operators
of personal watercraft and boats with
a motor of 10 horsepower or more to take
a boating safety education course and
carry proof of completion on board. For
more information, visit www.dgif.virginia.
gov or call (804) 367-1000.
* TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FREE VESSEL
SAFETY CHECK. The U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary offers complimentary boat examinations
to verify the presence and condition
of certain safety equipment required
by state and federal regulations. They also
offer virtual online safety checks as well -
visit www.cgaux.org to learn more. n
Sources: www.dgif.virginia.gov,
www.discoverboating.com
Cooperative Living/July 2015
DESIGN PICS/ISTOCK/THINKSTOCK
http://www.dgif.virginia http://www.cgaux.org http://www.dgif.virginia.gov http://www.discoverboating.com
Cooperative Living July 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living July 2015
