CHICAGO – As National Safe Boating Week continues, the Coast Guard reminds recreational boaters and those operating human-powered watercrafts, such as canoes, kayaks and paddle boards, to heed safety tips while sharing Chicago waterways.
Recreational boaters and human-powered watercraft operators are not the only ones transiting waterways; inland rivers and tributaries, for example, are also used for commercial purposes by much larger vessels such as sightseeing tour boats, water taxis, and commercial tugs and barges.
The main branch of the Chicago River, for example, runs through the heart of downtown and has traditionally been shared by water taxis, tour boats, and commercial tugs and barges. During the past several years, however, there has been an increase in usage by human-powered watercrafts.
"Near-misses have increased in recent years," said Mike Borgstrom, owner of one of the city's tour boat and water taxi companies. "The biggest challenges are generally from people who may never have been on a boat or on a crowded waterway."
Borgstrom, who is also president of the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee, stresses that larger vessels have the right of way on waterways, but many times those larger vessels have to slow down, alter course or back up in order to avoid kayaks and other human-powered boats.
As a result of safety concerns for those using the river, a harbor safety committee was formed in 2013. The committee is comprised of organizations and waterway users within the Chicago marine community and serves as a link between marine stakeholders who have mutual interests in the use of navigable waterways.
The Chicago Harbor Safety Committee was the recommendation of a Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment that was conducted in March of 2012 by members of the Coast Guard Navigation Standards Division to identify major waterway safety hazards, estimate risk levels, and implement measures to reduce risks in the waterways.
“Everyone has a right to use the waterways. However, with that right there is an enormous responsibility to use it safely,” says Borgstrom.
When transiting or paddling inland waterways, people should follow navigation rules and take these precautions:
- First and foremost, wear a life jacket at all times. Don’t just have them stowed below deck, under a seat or on the floor. Donning a life jacket when you’re in the water is very difficult, and at the point, it’s too late.
- Don’t operate a vessel while intoxicated. Boating under the influence continues to be the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.
- Maintain safe speeds and observe "No Wake" zones to prevent capsizing smaller boats, canoes and kayaks.
- Designate a lookout at all times.
- Avoid shipping channels, and stay clear of ships, water taxis, and commercial tugs and barges. A pilot's blind spot can extend for hundreds of feet and their speed can be deceptive.
- Get a vessel safety check to ensure your boat is operating properly and to limit the chance of your vessel developing problems in a channel, potentially in the path of a large commercial vessel.
- Human-powered watercrafts should travel in single file and close to shore at all times.
- Know the weather forecast before getting underway and maintain awareness of changing conditions at all times. Don’t get caught on the water during a storm. High winds can kick up the surf and create large waves capable of capsizing small vessels and crafts.
- Carry a waterproof, marine band radio for emergencies. A cell phone may become inoperable if it gets wet.
Water enthusiasts should take note that undercurrents from the engines of large vessels can create dangerous turbulence for smaller vessels. Also, storm drains and runoff chutes from land can push unsuspecting kayakers or canoeists into the middle of the waterway and into the path of much larger vessels.
Commercial traffic such as tugs and barges operate 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, which makes it even more dangerous to be operating smaller crafts at night. If common sense and safety precautions are not used, a venture out onto the water for pleasure and recreation can turn deadly.
The early morning hours of June 21, 2014, highlight the dangers of boating on an inland waterways. Three people were killed when their small pleasure craft collided with a barge being pushed by a towing vessel on the Cal Sag channel southwest of Chicago. Neither of the passengers was wearing a life jacket and all were under the influence of alcohol.
In this time-lapsed Youtube video, the viewer can see firsthand the diverse usage of an inland waterway and how dangerous it can be, accentuated by the activity shown at the 3:35 mark.
"As we approach the Memorial Day weekend, we recognize there will be an increase in boating and water activities which present the risk of water and related incidents," said Capt. Amy Cocanour, commander of Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan. "It is our job to help mitigate that risk, but at the same time be ready to respond when that risk jeopardizes life or property. We will continue to strive to maintain the safety of our waterways while educating boaters on how to help us keep them safe through the year."