In the most recent year with complete data, 701 lives were lost as a
result of recreational boating accidents in the U.S. and its territories.
BWI (Boating While Intoxicated) was identified as part of the problem in
31% of those fatalities. Operators with a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent
(for most of us, that means just one to three beers) are 10 times as likely
to be killed in a boating accident as a sober boater.
What about the remaining three deaths out of every four? Additional contributing
factors were excessive speed and other improper operation, poor vision,
faulty equipment, inadequate safety systems and devices, limited or inaccurate
local knowledge, and ignorance of basic rules of the waterway. Take a few
minutes to browse through the headings in this important section. ABA encourages
every boater to be serious about boating safety, starting with the proper
kind and amount of boater training. Remember, a boating mishap or fatality
often involves innocent people who share in none of the blame, but all of
the consequence. As a responsible boater, the life you save may very well
be someone else's. Remember,B E S A F E*
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The following helpful boating pointers are provided by Catamaran Sailors
Magazine, http://www.catsailor.com/.These
tips are useful to boaters of all types.
ABA assumes no responsibility or liability for events that occur due
to actions you or others on your behalf take based on the information given.
You are proceeding at your own risk.
It is always a good idea to use the
U.S. Coast Guard
Float Plan that describes the details of your planned outing. It contains
the who, what, where, when and how of your outing or trip. Simply fill out
the form before heading out on the water, print it, and leave it with a
person who can be depended upon to notify the local police, sheriff, Coast
Guard station or other rescue organization, should you not return as scheduled.
(Do not file this plan with the Coast Guard.) The information provided is
considered the "minimum" information needed when filling out a float plan.
Consider utilizing the back side(s) of these forms to provide as much detailed
information as possible to ensure complete information is on hand in the
event you should have a mishap.
Boating Accident Statistics
Read the latest recreational
boating accident statistics as compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard to learn
from others' mistakes. The information is available in Adobe PDF File format.
PFDs
Every member of your crew should have a
U.S. Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Device . PFDs, they float
you don't! Of the 519 recreational boating drowning deaths in 2000, the
US Coast Guard approximates that 445 lives could have been saved if the
victim had been wearing a life jacket. The following are guidelines for
the care and use of PFDs:
Buy your own life jacket, and wear it. One size does not fit all.
Look at the label for size and weight limitations.
Try it on and check the fit. With straps and buckles secured, the
life jacket should not slip over your head or cover your eyes.
Make sure the life jacket is Coast Guard approved.
Replace your life jacket if you find air leakage, mildew or rot.
Never alter a life jacket. It could lose its effectiveness.
Check your life jackets yearly for flotation and fit.
Wear a life jacket to set an example for younger children while
increasing your chances of survival.
Make the Memorial Day holiday a gift-giving event - buy your boating
children and (or) grandchildren a PFD fitted to their size at the beginning
of each boating season. Children need special care because of changing
size and distribution of body weight.
Children and Boating Safety
The U.S. Coast Guard provides great safety information for children.
It has two online coloring books available - "Water
'n Kids" and
"Coastie the Safety Dog" - that you can use to help educate your children
on boating safety. Coastie
is an animated robotic cartoon character in appearance, and is very mobile.
He has navigation and searchlights, a rotating beacon, a siren, an air horn,
and eyes and eyelids that move meaningfully. He talks, plays music, and
interacts with the instructor and the children during the presentation.
He is painted bright blue and has decals promoting boating and water safety
from many boating safety organizations.
Coastie teaches rules about what to do and not do in a water emergency
situation. You can take
Coastie's Boating
Safety Quiz , too.
Boating Safety
and the Environment
Most boating safety information only includes direct threats caused by
equipment failure, weather, alcohol, unsafe boating, or accidents. We think
that boaters should also think about their family's health and safety from
the perspective of environmental threats and
clean boating activities. Visit
our clean boating activities area
to learn more.
Contacts
For more information on boating safety and boating courses, contact your
State Boating Agency, Coast Guard District or call the Boating Safety Hotline
(1-800-368-5647).
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)
has a representative responsible for boating safety education in each state,
Click here to find your state's representative.
To learn about the boating safety education requirements for your state,
Click here.
The American Boating Association
PO Box 456
Centerville, MA 02632
Tel: 508-534-9893
