|
Showing best way
By Chief Tom Rau, Coast Guard Group Grand Haven
The old Missouri adage- ‘show me don’t tell me’ probably best describes the Boat Smart column. Undoubtably, Coast Guard command and I could preach for hours about how to boat smart, but we discovered that writing about actual Coast Guard rescue cases and lessons learned has more meaning. Please, don’t misunderstand us, by no means are we belittling the how-to approach to smart boating, not at all. The Boat Smart column simply shows what happens when a boater ignores, or worse yet, lacks the how-to boating skills.
Boat Smart stories certainly have taught me a lot, especially regarding attitude. There was a time when I would’ve scoffed at wearing a life jacket on a small boat, now I scoff at myself if I don’t and with good reason. Searching for a missing boater is agonizing when you know a simple flotation device would’ve spared loved ones devastating news. It’s a sad, painful reality that after 26 years in the Coast Guard, I simply can’t get used to. Who could? Especially considering that in the last ten years nearly 7,000 recreational boaters drowned because they simply failed to wear a life jacket. Even the most ardent life jacket doubter has to pause and take note of this pointless loss of life.
That important message passed, let’s look at some lessons learned from last season that might help us boat smarter this season.
Ventilation Make sure your exhaust and intake hoses are secure. Last year I inspected several boats in which engine room exhaust blowers worked fine, but exhaust hoses had disconnected from fittings. Check those fittings and after energizing your blower, check the exhaust port with your hand for air discharge.
Visual Distress Signals Boats operating on Lake Michigan at night must carry visual distress signals. Coast Guard vessel inspections last year revealed that although boaters carried the proper number (3), too often the devices had expired. You may want to update your flares as soon as possible. At the end of last season, many stores in my area of operation had sold out of flares.
Alcohol Last year Coast Guard Group Grand Haven personnel cited 22 boaters along Michigan’s western shores for operating under the influence. Violators are subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 or a criminal penalty not to exceed $5,000, or one year imprisonment or both. A boat operator determined to be under the influence will be removed off the water. The Coast Guard will be conducting a vigorous campaign this season to keep impaired boaters off the water.
Safety Check List Make sure are your safety items are aboard. Last season, I assisted a sail boat in Lake Michigan with nine people aboard including an infant. There were no life jackets aboard; the captain had failed to stow them after recently launching his boat. Suggestion- make up an equipment check list for required safety items so these important items are not over-looked. The Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats pamphlet provides an excellent Boater Check List. You can get one at your local Coast Guard Station or call the Coast Guard Boating Safety Infoline at (800) 368-5647 to have one mailed.
Channel 09 The Coast Guard urges boaters to continue to use VHF-FM Channel 09 for hailing rather than Channel 16. Coast Guard command commends Lake Michigan boaters for switching from Channel 16 to Channel 09. As a result, Coast Guard radio operators were able to clearly hear distress traffic over Channel 16. Great job boaters! Keep it up.
Low Water Be careful, even more so than last season. A lot of areas that boaters safely plied last year- especially inland lakes- now lie in shallow water. The Army Corps of Engineers 6-month forecast is forecasting waters at near all time lows. Further note, unless it’s an emergency effecting live or limb, the Coast Guard will not assist grounded boaters. Be advised- commercial salvage can be costly. Most of the groundings I’ve assisted occurred at night, especially with sail boats. Boaters sailing to unfamiliar harbors or marinas should call these facilities in advance for water depth advisories.
Hoax calls The Coast Guard urges boaters to report information that will lead to the arrest of those making hoax calls. Last year Coast Guard Group Grand Haven responded to 32 hoax calls at a cost of $37,000. This year Group has already received 13 hoax calls. These false May days are a egregious assault on the maritime community and will be dealt with aggressively. Convictions can draw a 6-year prison term and a $250,000 fine.
Vessel Inspections Coast Guard Grand Haven crews conducted 1,863 recreational boat inspections during 1999. During the 2000 season we will continue our vigorous vessel inspection program to promote safety afloat.
Limited space prevents me from going on about last season’s lessons learned. I hope to cover these and much more in future Boat Smart columns. By the way, Boat Smart has no intention of pointing fingers at boaters, not at all. Its intention is to share information so we all can boat smarter.
Boat Smart, written by Chief Tom Rau and edited by Group Grand Haven Command, runs weekly between May and October in Michigan newspapers and in Indiana. It also appears on the Internet at: www.boatsmart.net-(includes Lake Michigan weather and water temperatures).
****
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.
Group Grand Haven | USCG Office of Boating Safety
Forecast | Radar | Water Temps | Auxiliary |
This site designed and maintained by Info.tech in cooperation with Chief Tom Rau in the interest of promoting safe boating.
|
Boat Smart
