National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22)

With the weather and water warming up, many folks are readyor already have put their boats in the water. This week the National Weather Service and National Safe Boating Council have teamed up to promote safe boating practices. Each day this week there will be a boating topic that will be focused on and promoted to help keep boaters educated and safe. Here are the daily topics that will be covered this week (provided by the National Weather Service and National Safe Boating Council):

Saturday:
...Boating Under the Influence...
The following is a safe boating message from the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service...

The effects of alcohol can be even more hazardous on the water than on land. Boating Under the Influence, or BUI, affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination. These impairments can increase the risk of being involved in a boating accident... for both passengers and boat operators. Alcohol is a contributing factor in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities.

It is illegal to operate any boat or watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. Penalties can include fines, suspension or revocation of your drivers license and even jail time.

Every boater needs to understand the risks of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

Check www.weather.gov or listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for the latest forecasts and warnings.

This message is brought to you by the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service, reminding you that Safe Boating Week is May 16 through the 22nd.

Sunday
...Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning...
The following is a safe boating message from the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service...

Every boater should be aware of the risks associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas produced when a carbon-based fuel - such as gasoline or propane - burns. C-O can be emitted from boat engines and gas generators.

Carbon monoxide fumes can harm or even kill you inside or outside your boat. It enters your bloodstream through the lungs, blocking the oxygen your body needs. Early symptoms are often confused with seasickness or intoxication. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short exposure to high concentrations can kill you.

Every boater needs to understand the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. Know where and how carbon monoxide may accumulate in and around your boat. Maintain fresh air circulation. Install and maintain CO alarms inside your boat. To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

Check www.weather.gov or listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for the latest forecasts and warnings.

Monday
...Life Jackets...
The following is a safe boating message from the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service...

Before you and your family get out on the water this year, grab a life jacket and "Wear It!" Nearly 90 percent of those who drown while boating were not wearing a life jacket.

Life jacket wear is one of the most effective and simple life-saving strategies for safe recreational boating. Boaters are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board for every passenger on their vessel.

Modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. They are comfortable, lightweight, and perfect for any boating activity or sport.

No matter what the activity or life jacket style chosen, the most important thing is this: remember to grab a life jacket and "Wear It!" To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

Check www.weather.gov or listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for the latest forecast and warnings.

Tuesday
...Navigation in Dense Fog...
The following is a safe boating message from the National Weather Service and the National Safe Boating Council...

Don't be caught in a fog, especially on the water. You just may lose your life. Fog can create very low visibility making safe navigation difficult for boaters. Fog is formed when moist air changes form creating a cloud at the earth's surface. In dense fog the visibility can be reduced to less than a boat length, significantly increasing the risk of collision or grounding your boat.

If your boat is shrouded in fog, reduce your boat speed. Remember - you should always wear your life jacket whether it is foggy or not, but double-check to make sure that everyone is wearing a United States Coast Guard approved life jacket in situations with fog. Display lights and sound warning signals for limited visibility following navigation safety rules.

You can always anchor in a safe location until conditions improve. Other precautions boaters take in low visibility include posting lookouts to see and listen for signals or sounds from other vessels, or to just listen for the sound of breaking waves.

Remember that safe boating is no accident. Consider staying in port when dense fog is occurring or is expected. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for the latest forecast and observation information before setting sail. On the open waters, set your radio frequency to the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for alerts on sudden severe storms that might cross your path. Be prepared, not sorry.

Wednesday
...Navigation Rules of the Road...
The following is a safe boating message from the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service...

Do you know what to do when approaching, meeting or over taking another boat? Before you take your boat out on the water this season, it's important that you know the "nautical rules of the road."

The nautical rules of the road are the navigation rules for preventing collisions on the water. Knowing the nautical rules of the road is important for all boaters. Knowing what to do when meeting, crossing or over taking another boat can prevent costly damage to your boat, personal injury or even loss of life. Whenever you believe there is a risk of collision you should slow down, stop or steer away from the situation as described in the navigation rules. Maintaining a proper lookout and a safe speed are all a part of the navigation rules and should be an important part of your boat operation.

Take some time to learn the nautical rules of the road this summer and ensure safer boating for you, your family, and the other boaters on the water. To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

And Remember...
Grab a life jacket and "Wear It!"

Thursday
...Vessel Safety Check (VSC)...
The following is a safe boating message from the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service...

This boating season, make sure that you take advantage of the Vessel Safety Check (VSC), program - a free, no risk, service provided in your area by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US Power Squadrons. A qualified vessel examiner will conduct an inspection of all the required safety equipment carried or installed on a vessel and certain aspects of the vessel's overall condition. Even if you pay careful attention to safety, dangerous mechanical problems can crop up on the best-maintained boat. That's why the U.S. Coast Guard recommends that all recreational boats (including personal watercraft) get a free VSC each year.

A VSC is your best way of learning about conditions that might put you in violation of state or federal laws or, worse, create an unsafe condition for you or your passengers on the water.

Be prepared for any emergency when you are afloat. Get a free vessel safety check to ensure that your vessel complies with both Federal and State requirements. If the vessel meets all requirements, the examiner will award a Vessel Safety Check decal. If you vessel fails to receive a VSC decal, no law enforcement action is taken and the examiner will provide a list of items for correction.

To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

Friday
...Lightning Safety on the Open Water...
The following is a safe boating message from the National Weather Service and the National Safe Boating Council...

No one thinks they will ever be struck by lightning, but the most common threat boater's face in thunderstorms is lightning. Each year 100,000 thunderstorms develop across the United States and adjacent coastal waters. Lightning can generate a phenomenal amount of heat that can vaporize water, melt metal, or cause objects to explode. In fact, bolts of lightning can produce extreme temperatures up to 53,000 degrees Fahrenheit - or almost 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun!

A lightning strike to a boat can be catastrophic, especially if it results in a fire or loss of radio and navigation equipment. Although you cannot prevent lightning from striking your boat you can take protective measures to limit the damage.

The best things to do the minute you see lightning or hear thunder: head to shore and take shelter until the storm passes. If you must weather the storm out on the water, drop anchor so the boat's bow points into the wind. If your boat has a cabin, stay inside and avoid touching metal or electrical devices. If your boat doesn't have a cabin, stay as low as you can in the boat.
At all times, but especially during thunderstorms, make sure you and your crew are wearing life jackets. To protect your boat, make sure it is grounded. Use a good conductive material to allow the current to travel through and off the boat through a discharge plate or the keel. Another way to minimize the chance of a lightning strike is to install a static dissipater.

Even though you cannot stop lightning from striking, you can take measures to protect or minimize damage to yourself and your crew. Remember that boating safety begins ashore with planning and training.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for the latest forecast and observation information before setting sail. On the open waters, set your radio frequency to the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for alerts on sudden severe storms that might cross your path. Be prepared, not sorry.