I’m absolutely convinced that if you want the straight scoop, talk to the actual doers, the real mission performers, the field players. So, for this boating season wrap up I did exactly that. I traveled up and down Michigan’s West Coast from Michigan City to Traverse City talking with Coast Guard (CG) boat and aircrews, members of the CG auxiliary, and sheriff marine deputies. I asked the guys and gals this simple question.

"If you were in front of a live audience of boaters what would you tell them that would help them boat safer and make your job less stressful?"

It was interesting to see the same safety concerns addressed here and there but there was one concern that every single lifesaver addressed- lifejackets. Aside from the obvious fact that life jackets spare lives, rescuers provided some interesting anecdotes from what I call the "anti-life jacket culture". One sheriff deputy said that he stopped a small boat with nine people aboard because he suspected they lacked the required life jackets. Not so. There were nine jackets all right, but every one was still bound in the manufacture’s plastic shipping wrap. I asked him if he was kidding me; sadly, he wasn’t. Another seasoned chief told me he was recently approached by a 12-year-old boy who bragged that he and his grandfather never wear lifejackets when they go out on Lake Michigan. And you wonder why lifejackets remain bound in plastic wraps- could it be a generation thing? After two older fishermen in separate incidents fell off their small boats into Lake Michigan and drowned this summer I strongly suspect it could be a generation thing, or could it be people just don’t believe it will happen to them? One chief’s response to that was: "Expect the unexpected, and don’t believe that it could happen but that it will happen to you."

Other rescuers told of life-saving rescues because people did wear lifejackets but pointed out that sometimes it’s more than just wearing a life jacket, especially if you are out on Lake Michigan. Dark green and blue jackets make it very difficult for the eye to pick up in Lake Michigan waters. Pilots said that some sort of illumination device like a strobe light or glow light would greatly enhance the chance of spotting a person in the water with air crew’s night vision goggles.

Boat crews strongly encourage boaters to wear whistles on their life jackets. A Coast Guard crew saved a sailor who was separated from his small sailboat in 3-4 foot seas off Michigan City, Indiana. It was 11:30 at night when the crew aboard a 41-foot rescue boat heard a whistle over the rumble of the rescue boat’s twin diesels. The sailor attracted the crew’s attention by whistling with his mouth. He had been in the 60-degree water for over five hours and was suffering from advanced hypothermia.

Everyone up and down the shoreline praised boaters for encouraging kids to wear lifejackets. Maybe, that grandfather generation thing could be ending. I pray so.

Let me move on to some other safety issues that found common concern amongst those I interviewed. Flares. Many boaters carried the appropriate number (three) but often the flares were expired. Coast Guard approved flares are stamped with an expiration date. Rescuers advise boaters to check to make sure the date on the flare is current.

Weather. Here boaters received a great deal of praise. Most boaters it seems take note of the weather and take appropriate action to avoid foul weather. Rescuers cited only a few incidents where boaters got caught in a blow and those were mostly sailboats.

Sail Boats. Over-weighted and under powered was the common complaint I heard about sailboats, plus rudder failures and groundings in restricted waters. In just one day, Coast Guard boat crews off Michigan City rescued five sailboats; one was a 40-foot sailboat floundering near 10-15 foot breaking surf. All five sailboats had lost their rudders. Lake Michigan has a long history of trashing sailboats near shore. Heavy gound tackle with enough rode is suggested. And for sure, wear a life jacket when setting the anchor.

Global Position System (GPS). Boaters are programming waypoints inside the harbor mouth rather than to breakwater lights, which are usually the furthest point into the Lake. In restricted visibility, the waypoint inside the harbor mouth could lead a boater into the breakwater. Charts and Light List provide latitudes and longitudes for breakwater entrance lights.

Fisherman right-of-way Next to life jackets this was the most common concern voiced: sports fishermen in small boats do not have the right of way while trolling, whether on the Lake or in harbor channels. To rate that privilege requires gross tonnage and extensive fishing gear that truly restricts a vessel in their ability to maneuver. Sorry, trolling off a small craft with hair-thin nylon line doesn’t qualify.

Hoax Calls. Coast Guard Stations from Michigan City to Frankfort were shut down 30 times because they exceeded fatigue boat standards. Hoax calls played a part in many of these shut downs. If this enrages you, imagine how the crews feel about these idiots that mock our commitment and your safety. The Coast Guard is accelerating efforts to acquire electronics that will home in on these callers and thus land them a home behind bars. And we will!

Offshore sightings. Condo Commanders is a term commonly used to describe those who report offshore sightings. Most Condo Commanders report legitimate sightings, however, there are a few who literally missed the boat. One Condo ommander had a Coast Guard St Joseph crew chasing a hot air balloon and another the red lights of commercial aircraft approaching O'Hare from Lake Michigan. On the other hand, reports from Condo Commanders saved lives. The difference between farce and fact is facts- rescuers welcome sound input- it’s your call.

Miscellaneous. Space restricts me from sharing more with you, but here are some quick wrap-ups. Duck hunters, please don’t tie your dog to your boat and leave. If it capsizes, the faithful dog will drown because you let it down: it knows no better- you do. Cell phones are helpful but marine radios are life saving. Before launching your boat onto the big lake next year, test it first in nearby waters. And last but not least- please don’t swim off pierheads. Four youths drowned between Michigan City and Frankfort doing just that. That totally bummed out all of us. Our prays go out to the families and we hope through this heart-breaking loss that others will be spared. Please!

Summary. An experienced Coast Guard pilot (he flew in Alaska waters and off the Oregon coast) strongly advises boaters to take Lake Michigan seriously and give it the respect it demands. All those I talked with agreed. One 15-year Coast Guard veteran said that Michigan boaters are the smartest he has seen anywhere. Most of us agreed. And for sure there was one thing we all agreed on- safe boating is no accident. How? Boat Smart. See you next year.

If you care to respond to the Boat Smart column you may e-mail me at: trau@jackpine.net. Oops, last week I welcomed your response but screwed up: it's trau@jackpine.net not trau@jackpine.com. Pleae help this old chief as he fights off age for he means well and nothing means more to him than your input that helps us all to boat smarter. So, this time let me get it right: trau@jackpine.net. I need your boat smart input- it could save a loved one and that is what this column is all about.

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Boat Smart is now on the Internet: www.boatsmart.net (includes Lake Michigan water temperatures and local weather).

Use channel 16 for emergencies, and channel 9 for calling fellow boaters.