JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard urges Alaska boaters to use extra caution and to ensure they have the safety equipment they need while out on the water this Labor Day weekend.
With an anticipated increase in the number of recreational boating activities, boaters need to take proper safety precautions and remain vigilant using these recommended safety tips:
- Wear your life jacket! Statistics show that almost nine out of ten boating fatality victims did not wear their lifejacket, and more than 80 percent of boaters who drowned were not wearing their life jackets. In an emergency there might not be enough time to find a life jacket, so having a proper fitting life jacket in good condition, readily available, or wearing one at all times, may save lives.
- Check the local weather prior to departing the dock. Weather can change rapidly, especially in the state of Alaska, so mariners planning on getting underway should keep a watchful eye on the forecast conditions. Forecasts can be checked by visiting the National Weather Service website at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/.
- Make sure a friend or relative knows your float plan. A float plan states where you are going, how many people are aboard, vessel description, details of your destination(s) and what time you expect to arrive and return. If you are delayed for some reason, make sure you let someone know. An example of a float plan can be found at http://www.floatplancentral.org/.
- Download the Coast Guard's new mobile app here for boating safety features available at your fingertips: http://www.uscg.mil/mobile/
- Boaters should have working communication equipment aboard their vessel. A VHF-FM radio is the best method of communication while on the water. If your radio is digital selective calling capable, ensure it is properly connected to your GPS and registered. Although cell phones are a good backup, they can be unreliable due to gaps in coverage area and the inevitable dead battery.
- Inspect your boat to avoid breakdowns that often lead to unexpected casualties or personal tragedies in the water. Schedule a free, no-fault vessel safety check, which can be conducted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, before heading out on the water. The safety checks are courtesy examinations of your vessel, verifying the presence and condition of safety equipment required by state and federal regulations.
- Understand the hazards of boating under the influence of alcohol to contribute to a safe weekend on the water. Alcohol affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination. In the marine environment – motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray – accelerates this impairment.
“Newer technology has come out recently that can better prepare you for boating in Alaska’s unpredictable environment,” said Mike Folkerts, Coast Guard 17th District boating safety specialist. “Make sure to familiarize yourself with new tools like the Coast Guard app and digital selective calling before heading out to enjoy the long weekend.”
For many, the boating season is now gearing down and boaters should utilize the off-season to take a recreational boating safety course by visiting http://uscgaux.org or http://usps.org. Additional course information is available through the BOAT/ U.S. Foundation at 1-800-336-BOAT.
For additional boating safety information, check online at:
Vessel Safety Checks www.vesselsafetycheck.org
Coast Guard Boating Safety page at http://www.uscgboating.org
National Safe Boating Council www.safeboatingcouncil.org