Coast Guardsman sounds off about recreational boating safety

It's uncharacteristic for a military man to sound off regarding operational missions. Cautious by nature, they tend to shun hyperbole when it involves operational manners. Senior Chief Tom Rau couldn't agree more with this prudent policy; that is, until he wrote his book Boat Smart Chronicles, Lake Michigan Devours Its Wounded.

The 27-year Coast Guard veteran firmly believes that the many recreational boating mishaps addressed in the book could well have been prevented had those involved read his book. He believes this is true of boating mishaps nationwide.

For a military man that is, indeed, a bold statement; then again, considering his credentials, maybe not. Rau is recognized as a leading authority on recreational boating safety in the country. Two Coast Guard commandants have personally awarded him citations for his syndicated column Boat Smart , which he is still writing even though he retired in 2002.

In over 20 years of keeping boaters informed by sharing first hand rescue experiences, Rau has never received a penny for his widly-read sydicated column. "If one person is spared the grief of a needless water-related death or injury, it's more than worth it. A senseless death or serious injury on the water can rip the heart out of a family," said Rau.

Rau believes it's often nothing more than a slight nuance in fate that spares one boater and not another: "I wrote the book for that reason, to expose through its many stories and lessons learned just how thin the line can be between going home safely on the water, or not going home at all."

Rau's credentials were hard earned, forged by hundreds of search and rescue cases as a Coast Guard rescue responder. Jim Shepard, United States Power Squadron, said: "This book is a must read for every boater who ventures more than 100 ft. from the dock. Boaters and landlubbers alike will truly enjoy the many stories of rescues with valuable lessons learned. A wonderful book from a man who darn-well knows what he's talking about."

High-ranking Coast Guard officials agree: Retired vice admiral Jim Hall, former commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District that oversees the Great Lakes, said of the book: "I often received reports of avoidable deaths and injuries on the water. I urge that anyone young or old, experienced or novice, who lives or plays on or near the water, to take this book to heart. It's an ounce of prevntion that could well save your life."

Rau hopes women will champion the Boat Smart cause: "Many men shun directions while driving a car, and I suspect while boating as well. Sadly, the book's many boating mishaps involve males," said Rau " The marine environment is not sex sensitive and will take down whomever." The Coast Guard over the last 21 years assisted nearly 300,000 people while involved in recreational water activities across the Great Lakes.

Rau prays that women will rush the book into male loved ones' hands. "Men might not buy it, but I guarantee they will read the book if it is given to them. I'm sure they will see a lot of their own follies in the book. I know I did." Rau suspects the book will not place him in good stead with men: "Women now have a valuable reference tool to keep their male loved ones safe on the water. For that, I am more than willing to take the heat."

Throw your loved oned one a lifering, the perfect life-saving gift- the "Boat Smart Chonicles, Lake Michigan Devours Its Wounded."

Books available at: www.boatsmart.net, www.seaworthy.com, www.amazon.com, or through local bookstores, book distributors: Partners, Michigan, Ingram Book Group. Book released August, 2006.