Recreational boating - enjoyed by more than 70 million Americans each year - can be a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. Making safety a priority can ensure that boating stays fun. Unfortunately, more than 3,000 people are injured and approximately 700 die in boating incidents each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
In an effort to prevent such tragedy, May 18-24 is recognized as National Safe Boating Week. The following safety tips from The Lehigh Group make sure that time spent in and around the water this summer is both enjoyable and safe.
Wear It - Properly fitted life jackets can prevent drowning and should be worn at all times by everyone on any boat. Comfortable Coast
Take a Course - More than 7 out of every ten boating incidents are caused by operator error. Boating education courses teach the rules for safe operation and navigation of recreational boats, and can help boat operators keep their passengers safe.
Upgrade Equipment - An upgrade or rope replacement will mean better performance and higher safety assurance for captains and first mates alike. Look for changing color or fraying in your ropes as a signal of age and wear. U/V rays can break down the fibers in rope, making them more prone to fading and tears. If these signs are present, it is best to discard and replace with high-performance rope, such as Wellington®-branded marine cordage, which has elasticity that allows it to absorb sudden shock loads, and resists rot, abrasion, mildew, marine growth, gasoline and oil.
Don't Drink - Alcohol use affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination, and is involved in about one-third of all recreational boating fatalities, according to the CDC. Boating under the influence of alcohol is just as deadly as drinking and driving. Due to sun exposure and heat, people are likely to become impaired more quickly when on the water. So play it safe and avoid alcohol when boating.
Take a Course - More than 7 out of every ten boating incidents are caused by operator error. Boating education courses teach the rules for safe operation and navigation of recreational boats, and can help boat operators keep their passengers safe.
Know about Carbon Monoxide - Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas that is emitted by all internal combustion engines, such as boat engines and onboard motor generators. In the early stages, the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to seasickness, but CO can kill in a matter of minutes. The only way to detect CO is with an alarm, so install CO alarms on board, especially in living and sleeping areas of large craft. In smaller vessels, consider a portable carbon monoxide alarm sized just right for travel and recreation.
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