Think Safety While on the Water

[Swede]

Here are some of the categories listed for boating
fatalities last year.  Collision with other vessel, collision with fixed
object, fall overboard, capsize, skier mishap, ran aground, collision
with floating object, etc. National statistics reveal that 4,612
injuries and 815 fatalities (574 drownings) resulted from a total of
8,061 recreational boating mishaps. In one year!

More disturbing facts: 27% of the boating deaths were a direct result of
alcohol abuse. 80% of the drowning victims were not wearing life
preservers. The Coast Guard says that 509 of the 574 drowning fatalities
could have been avoided if only the victim had worn a life preserver. I
wonder how many fatalities could have been avoided if the victim had
avoided alcohol?  Probably all of them.

This may seem to be redundant advice, but, if you can't swim, should you
be more than an arm's length away from dry land/shore without a life
preserver?

If you're piloting a boat (usually with passengers or through an area
with other boaters/swimmers) shouldn't you be trained? Certified?
Observant? Sober?

Take a boaters safety course - you can access one of the courses online right here on UB.
You can complete the course on your own time, at your own pace.  Last of all - please be
safe out there.

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