BOATING SAFETYBOATING SAFETY

StatisticsStatistics

•Boating accidents account for the second largest number of transportation fatalities annually, behind auto accidents.

•This is more than those reported from general aviation, rail, bus, commercial marine transportation, commercial aviation and pipeline.

Statistics continued…Statistics continued…

• Per US Coast Guard non-commercial Per US Coast Guard non-commercial statistics for 2002:statistics for 2002:– 758 boating fatalities 758 boating fatalities – 2181 Non fatal, hospital admitted injuries2181 Non fatal, hospital admitted injuries– 30,000 non fatal, non hospital admitted 30,000 non fatal, non hospital admitted

injuries. injuries.

Many accidents and injuries go unreported, Many accidents and injuries go unreported, so these are very conservative numbersso these are very conservative numbers

More Numbers…More Numbers…

• 23% of fatalities and 9% 23% of fatalities and 9% of non-fatal injuries of non-fatal injuries resulted from accidents resulted from accidents involving alcohol and involving alcohol and drugs. drugs.

• The US Coast Guard The US Coast Guard estimates that 70% of all estimates that 70% of all fatal boating accident victims fatal boating accident victims drowned, and among those drowned, and among those who drowned, 85% were who drowned, 85% were notnot wearing personal flotation wearing personal flotation devices. devices.

• Between 1995 and 2001, 210 Between 1995 and 2001, 210 children under the age of 13 children under the age of 13 died while boating, more died while boating, more than ½ of these deaths were than ½ of these deaths were attributed to drowning.attributed to drowning.

• Wyoming was ranked 16Wyoming was ranked 16thth out of all out of all states in the number of boating states in the number of boating fatalities in 2002, with 7 fatalities per fatalities in 2002, with 7 fatalities per 100,000 boats.100,000 boats.

• Each year brings more boaters to our Each year brings more boaters to our nation’s waters for recreation, nation’s waters for recreation, increasing the potential for increasing the potential for accidents. accidents.

Don’t drink and boat!!Don’t drink and boat!!

• Alcohol is more hazardous on the water Alcohol is more hazardous on the water than on land due to motion, vibration, than on land due to motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray, all of engine noise, sun, wind and spray, all of which accelerate a drinker’s impairment.which accelerate a drinker’s impairment.

• Alcohol affects balance, judgment, vision Alcohol affects balance, judgment, vision and coordination. US Coast Guard data and coordination. US Coast Guard data shows that in boating deaths involving shows that in boating deaths involving alcohol use, over half the victims capsized alcohol use, over half the victims capsized their boats and/or fell overboard. their boats and/or fell overboard.

• Alcohol is also more dangerous to boaters Alcohol is also more dangerous to boaters because boat operators are often less because boat operators are often less experienced and less confident on the experienced and less confident on the water than on the highway. water than on the highway.

Tips for Avoiding Boating Tips for Avoiding Boating Under the InfluenceUnder the Influence• Take only non-alcoholic beverages on the Take only non-alcoholic beverages on the

boatboat• Bring plenty of food and snacksBring plenty of food and snacks• If you choose to use alcohol, use it on If you choose to use alcohol, use it on

shore, at the dock, or at the club.shore, at the dock, or at the club.• Allow plenty of time to metabolize alcohol Allow plenty of time to metabolize alcohol

– at least one hour per drink- before – at least one hour per drink- before operating your boat.operating your boat.

• Set a good example to other boaters by Set a good example to other boaters by not drinking and boating. Report drunken not drinking and boating. Report drunken boat driving to the Game and Fish or boat driving to the Game and Fish or another local authority.another local authority.

Personal Flotation DevicesPersonal Flotation Devices(PFD’s)(PFD’s)

It is the law that every passenger has to have his/her own, properly fitting, personal flotation device available.

It is the law that there has to be at least one throwable flotation device. Keeping a rope tied to the throwable flotation device will make it easier to retrieve and re-throw.

Children 13 and under are required to wear flotation devices unless they are below deck or in a cabin. (US Coast Guard Rule for federal waterways. Many states are also adopting this rule for local waterways, check local laws.)

Make sure the flotation device fits properly and is worn properly, with all belts and buckles correctly and securely fastened. This is especially important for children.

Never make anyone on your boat feel foolish if they wish to wear a flotation device.

Personal Flotation DevicesPersonal Flotation Devices

• Know the capabilities of your PFD. Know the capabilities of your PFD. Some are designed to keep an Some are designed to keep an unconscious person face up in the unconscious person face up in the water. Some are designed only for calm water. Some are designed only for calm water/fast rescue situations. Some are water/fast rescue situations. Some are streamlined for sports. Read and streamlined for sports. Read and understand the label in your PFD. It understand the label in your PFD. It should be a US Coast Guard approved should be a US Coast Guard approved PFD. PFD.

Fitting a PFDFitting a PFD• All straps, zippers and buckles should be All straps, zippers and buckles should be

fastened correctly and securely.fastened correctly and securely.• A proper fitting PFD should keep your head and A proper fitting PFD should keep your head and

shoulders above the water. shoulders above the water. • If it fits too loose, it will slide up around the face, If it fits too loose, it will slide up around the face,

and may allow the wearer to slip out of it and may allow the wearer to slip out of it completely.completely.

• Too small, and it may not keep your head and Too small, and it may not keep your head and shoulders above the water.shoulders above the water.

• When trying on a PFD, raise arms above head When trying on a PFD, raise arms above head and have another person pull up on the jacket. If and have another person pull up on the jacket. If it slips up, it is too big. The front sections of the it slips up, it is too big. The front sections of the jacket should meet in the front, if not, it is too jacket should meet in the front, if not, it is too small. small.

• Some PFD’s for small children have an extra Some PFD’s for small children have an extra strap for the crotch to help prevent them from strap for the crotch to help prevent them from slipping out of the PFD. slipping out of the PFD.

Caring for your Life JacketCaring for your Life Jacket

• When not worn, store in When not worn, store in easily easily accessibleaccessible area on your boat. area on your boat.

• When not in use, store inside, away When not in use, store inside, away from sun and chemicals which can from sun and chemicals which can damage the PFDdamage the PFD

• Faded fabric may indicate a damaged Faded fabric may indicate a damaged PFD.PFD.

• Replace any questionable PFD’s.Replace any questionable PFD’s.

Propeller SafetyPropeller Safety

Recreational vessels less than 26 feet long account for 80% of underwater propeller impact injuries.

A typical three blade propeller running at 3200 RPM can inflict 160 impacts in one second.

A typical recreational propeller can travel from head to toe on an average person in less than one tenth of a second.

Safety Tips for PropellersSafety Tips for Propellers• Walk to the stern of the boat and look in the water before Walk to the stern of the boat and look in the water before

starting your boat.starting your boat.• Never allow passengers to board or exit your boat from the Never allow passengers to board or exit your boat from the

water when the engines are on, including idling (your water when the engines are on, including idling (your propellers may continue to spin).propellers may continue to spin).

• Never enter swimming zonesNever enter swimming zones• Never permit passengers to ride on gunwales, transoms or Never permit passengers to ride on gunwales, transoms or

other locations where they might fall overboard.other locations where they might fall overboard.• Watch children carefully while on board.Watch children carefully while on board.• Establish clear rules when using swim platforms.Establish clear rules when using swim platforms.• If someone falls overboard, or you are picking up a fallen If someone falls overboard, or you are picking up a fallen

skier, never go in reverse. Stop, then turn around and skier, never go in reverse. Stop, then turn around and proceed slowly, keeping the person in the water in your sight proceed slowly, keeping the person in the water in your sight at all times. Turn off engine first before bringing person at all times. Turn off engine first before bringing person aboard. aboard.

• Utilize safety devices such as cut off switches and propeller Utilize safety devices such as cut off switches and propeller guides. guides.

Fire SafetyFire Safety

• Type B fire extinguishers are mandatory on board Type B fire extinguishers are mandatory on board boats with the following conditions:boats with the following conditions:– Where there is an inboard engineWhere there is an inboard engine– Where there is closed living spaceWhere there is closed living space– Where there is a permanently mounted fuel tankWhere there is a permanently mounted fuel tank– Where there are closed compartments for storage or Where there are closed compartments for storage or

portable fuel tanksportable fuel tanks– Where there is a double bottom not completely filled Where there is a double bottom not completely filled

with foam or sealed to the hull. with foam or sealed to the hull. – Larger boats may require more than one extinguisher, Larger boats may require more than one extinguisher,

check your local laws.check your local laws.– Check your fire extinguisher before each season to be Check your fire extinguisher before each season to be

sure it is functional. sure it is functional.

Fuel SafetyFuel SafetyStop all engines and auxiliaries.

Shut off all electricity, open flames and heat sources.

Check bilges for fuel vapors.

Extinguish all smoking materials.

Close all fittings and openings that could allow fuel vapors to enter the boat’s enclosed spaces.

Remove all passengers from the boat except the person handling the fuel hose.

Make sure dock personnel are aware the you are fueling.

Attend fuel filling nozzle at all times.

Fuel SafetyFuel Safety

• Wipe up fuel spills immediately.• Inspect bilges for leakage and fuel odors.• Ventilate until odors are gone before

turning on engine.• Remove portable tanks and fill them on

the dock, wipe off any spillage, then return them to the boat.

• Remember the 1/3 rule: 1/3 of fuel to go out, 1/3 of fuel to return, 1/3 of fuel for emergencies.

Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide

• Carbon monoxide accumulation is Carbon monoxide accumulation is affected by boat geometry, hatch affected by boat geometry, hatch openings, ventilation, proximity to other openings, ventilation, proximity to other structures, swim platforms, canvas, structures, swim platforms, canvas, location of exhaust outlets, wind speed location of exhaust outlets, wind speed and direction, boat maintenance.and direction, boat maintenance.

• Carbon Monoxide is odorless, and may be Carbon Monoxide is odorless, and may be present even in the absence of exhaust present even in the absence of exhaust fumes.fumes.

Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide

• Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors inside your Install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors inside your boat. Never ignore an alarm.boat. Never ignore an alarm.

• Never sit, teak surf, or hang on the back deck or swim Never sit, teak surf, or hang on the back deck or swim platform while the engines and or generators are running.platform while the engines and or generators are running.– Teak surfing is when a person holds onto the swim platform, Teak surfing is when a person holds onto the swim platform,

and as the boat moves forward, the person lets go when the and as the boat moves forward, the person lets go when the wake peaks, and body surfs the wake. Usually done without a wake peaks, and body surfs the wake. Usually done without a life jacket, so is wrong on many levels.life jacket, so is wrong on many levels.

• Know where your engine exhaust outlets are located and Know where your engine exhaust outlets are located and instruct everyone to stay away from these areas. instruct everyone to stay away from these areas.

• Run exhaust blowers when generator is running. Maintain Run exhaust blowers when generator is running. Maintain fresh air circulation throughout the boat at all times. fresh air circulation throughout the boat at all times.

• Never enter swim platform areas where exhaust outlets are Never enter swim platform areas where exhaust outlets are located until the area has been properly ventilated. located until the area has been properly ventilated.

Pulling a skier, boarder, or Pulling a skier, boarder, or tubertuber• You must have at least two people in the boat, You must have at least two people in the boat,

one to drive, the other to maintain constant one to drive, the other to maintain constant visual contact with the skier. visual contact with the skier.

• Make sure the tow rope is in good condition, and Make sure the tow rope is in good condition, and is rated for the weight of the skier or towable is rated for the weight of the skier or towable device. It should be of a length that keeps the device. It should be of a length that keeps the skier well away from the propeller. Make sure the skier well away from the propeller. Make sure the rope is attached to the boat via a metal cleat rope is attached to the boat via a metal cleat that can manage the weight and stress. that can manage the weight and stress.

• You must have a large, bright orange flag to You must have a large, bright orange flag to raise to alert other boaters that you have a raise to alert other boaters that you have a person in the waterperson in the water

• Never back the boat up to pick up a person in Never back the boat up to pick up a person in the water, and remember to shut off the engine the water, and remember to shut off the engine before bringing them in the boat. before bringing them in the boat.

WeatherWeather

• Always check the weather Always check the weather reports before boating. reports before boating.

• Make sure everyone on Make sure everyone on board board puts onputs on a PFD if a PFD if caught in inclement caught in inclement weather.weather.

• Get off the water as soon as Get off the water as soon as you notice that inclement you notice that inclement weather is coming. Head to weather is coming. Head to the shore, or a cove, if you the shore, or a cove, if you are unable to get off the are unable to get off the water before a storm hits. water before a storm hits.

A Word about WakesA Word about Wakes

• Nearly all wake injuries are a result of Nearly all wake injuries are a result of passengers standing in the boat.passengers standing in the boat.

• Make sure all passengers stay seated Make sure all passengers stay seated when approaching a wake.when approaching a wake.

• Slow your boat when crossing another Slow your boat when crossing another wake.wake.

• Be aware of the impact your wake may Be aware of the impact your wake may have on other boats and swimmershave on other boats and swimmers

• Obey signs for speed and wake control Obey signs for speed and wake control when entering or exiting launch areas, or when entering or exiting launch areas, or narrow and congested areas. narrow and congested areas.

Night boatingNight boating

• Make sure your navigation lights Make sure your navigation lights are working properly before are working properly before boating after dark.boating after dark.

• Make sure you understand what Make sure you understand what the different colored navigation the different colored navigation lights signify.lights signify.

• Be alert for possible collisions Be alert for possible collisions from other boats and debris.from other boats and debris.

• Always reduce your speed at Always reduce your speed at night.night.

Boating SafetyBoating Safety

• The best practice is to take a certified The best practice is to take a certified boating safety course before operating boating safety course before operating your watercraft. your watercraft.

• Be familiar with and obey boating laws. Be familiar with and obey boating laws.

• You can get information on boating laws You can get information on boating laws and safety from several sources, including and safety from several sources, including the National Safe Boating Council, US the National Safe Boating Council, US Coast Guard, and local and state Game Coast Guard, and local and state Game and Fish departments.and Fish departments.

Know Your Boat!Know Your Boat!

• Know what your boat’s capacity is for number Know what your boat’s capacity is for number of people or carrying weight in pounds.of people or carrying weight in pounds.

• Know the maximum horsepower Know the maximum horsepower recommendation for your boat.recommendation for your boat.

• If you do not have a label on your boat that If you do not have a label on your boat that tells the maximum capacity, use the formula tells the maximum capacity, use the formula “number of people = (length of boat) times “number of people = (length of boat) times (width of boat) divided by 15. So a 20ft long by (width of boat) divided by 15. So a 20ft long by 6 foot wide boat should not exceed 8 people. 6 foot wide boat should not exceed 8 people.

• Maintain and keep your boat in good, safe, Maintain and keep your boat in good, safe, operating condition. Make sure all mandatory operating condition. Make sure all mandatory safety equipment is on board and operational. safety equipment is on board and operational.

A Few Last Safety TipsA Few Last Safety Tips

• Avoid collision at all cost, regardless of who has the Avoid collision at all cost, regardless of who has the right of wayright of way

• Never move, tie up to, or change position of buoys Never move, tie up to, or change position of buoys or navigational aids. or navigational aids.

• Be courteous when launching and trailering your Be courteous when launching and trailering your boat. boat.

• Make sure your boat is secured on the trailer and Make sure your boat is secured on the trailer and the hitch is properly connectedthe hitch is properly connected

• Make sure the stern drain plug is firmly in place Make sure the stern drain plug is firmly in place before launching your boat.before launching your boat.

• Keep a first aid and emergency kit (with flares) on Keep a first aid and emergency kit (with flares) on board.board.

Use common sense.

Stay alert.

Stay safe

Enjoy your boating experience!!