National Boating Safety Awareness May 19-25, 2018

National Boating Safety Awareness Week

Most people mark the beginning of summer as Memorial Day Weekend. Did you realize that we are just three short weekends away from that? Summer is quickly approaching and after the spring we had here in the Midwest, I’m not sure anyone thought it would ever come.

This last week though the sun has been shining and the temperatures have been on the upward rise. Now would be the perfect time to discuss National Boating Safety Awareness Week which just so happens to fall next week, May 19-25, 2018.

Things to consider when entering your vessel:

• Safety Checks. What do they include?
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Backfire flame control
  • Sound producing devices
  • Visual distress signals
  • Lifejackets
  • Registration/documentation
  • State and Local requirements
  • Navigation Lights
  • Proper display of numbers
  • Ventilation
  • Overall vessel condition

The number one goal is for everyone to have a good time but arrive back home SAFE!

Now, Boating Safety Awareness considers more than just motorboats. It includes sailboats, rowboats, fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks.

That brings us to the things you need to be on the lookout for while on the waters this summer season. You need to watch for other motorboats including the speed boats, jet skis, fishing boats, pontoon boats, etc. Then you have your kayakers and your canoers. Finally, look for those flags. Boats are required to put up flags if they have people in the waters. Familiarize yourself with the different flags from swimming to SCUBA diving, etc.

If a boat has a skier, make sure you have someone watching for that skier to go down so that flag gets up and you swing back around to get them. If a boat has divers, watch for diver down flags. Or if you are in or near a no-wake zone, follow the rules.

All of these rules are in place to keep everyone safe.

For more information go to http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/ or http://www.SafeBoatingCouncil.org