ANCHORAGE, 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 10 boating fatality victims did not wear their life jacket, 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/.
Boaters should have working communication equipment aboard their vessel. A VHF-FM marine-band radio is the best method of communication while on the water. Although cell phones are a good backup, they can be unreliable due to gaps in coverage area and limited battery life.
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.
Remaining vigilant and understanding the hazards of boating under the influence of alcohol will also greatly 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 accelerate impairment.
"Labor Day weekend marks the end of the summer boating season and is when we should prepare ourselves for the unpredictable weather patterns in Alaska,” said Mike Folkerts, 17th Coast Guard District Recreational Boating Safety Office. “Be prepared to spend extra time anchored up or ashore if a storm blows in. File a float plan with friends or family and always carry a means of communication; preferably a marine type VHF radio. Always be sure to wear your lifejacket or keep it readily available and as a reminder, all those 13 years and under on a recreational boat within the state of Alaska must wear a life jacket at all times when in an open boat or above decks on a cabin boat. Let’s make this a safe and enjoyable weekend for you and your passengers and boat safe!"
For many, the boating season is now winding down and boaters should utilize the off-season to take a recreational boating safety course by visiting http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/boating/#.
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
Or download the Coast Guard Boating Safety App at https://www.uscg.mil/mobile/