A Personal Note on Boating Safety

I suggest that you read the CME page, to see just what kinds of safety gear the Coast Guard Auxiliary checks. This is not done lightly, and there are good reasons for every requirement. I'll give you an example of just how close you can get to disaster without knowing it.

Early in the spring of 1995, we took a little pleasure cruise, just to get the boat wet. The wind was increasing, and forecasts called for thunderstorms later that night. That said, however, it was a nice night on Saginaw Bay, and we were enjoying the trip very much.

We were re-entering the Saginaw River in the gathering darkness, when we observed a sailboat towing a small powerboat. As we came alongside, we found out that the sailboat had happened upon the disabled powerboat near the mouth of the river. There were 5 people on the 18' boat, two of them children. They had no radio, no anchor, but very fortunately, they had flares, and used one to attract the attention of the sailboat. Aside from the larger sailboat, we were the ONLY other boat within sight that evening. Oh yes, there was another boat nearby: a very large lake freighter was inbound. Remember that these large ships cannot stop in less than a mile. If they see that you are in their way, they will certainly try, but usually they can't see a small boat in front of them at all.

Before the evening was out, we had taken over the tow (as Good Samaritans), and safely deposited the boat and its occupants at their original launch ramp. However, it would have been very easy for this evening's interrupted pleasure ride to become a tragedy. Very easy, indeed.

First of all, we observed that only the children on the disabled boat were wearing their PFD's (Personal Flotation Devices, better known as life jackets). We immediately called to them to ALL put on their PFD's. This is standard procedure when you are in any tricky situation on a boat. Towing is dangerous. Being disabled on the water is dangerous. You should always try to be prepared for the worse.

When we had the boat alongside, we got the rest of the sad story. They were "just going out for a few minutes" in their new boat, and ran out of gas. Well, these problems happen, and I've certainly had a few close calls of my own. This little experience was its own teacher, I think. However, they did not have an anchor, which would have helped them to maintain their position, even after the engine had failed. The wind was rising, and they could have been blown all the way to Canada, before anyone knew of their problem.

Another possibility might have been if their new boat had some unanticipated leaks, and the incoming water shorted out the battery. Once they lost the battery, the bilge pump would have become useless, and they would have swamped with no one around.

It was getting dark when they were rescued by the sailboat. If they had been disabled just a few minutes more, they might have become invisible, perhaps blown onto the rocks or shallows (or to Canada) by the rising wind. If they drifted into the shipping channel, the freighter would not have seen them in time, either.

It is state law here in Michigan that children under 6 must wear PFD's, so perhaps in an emergency, the children might have been floating around enough to be saved. However, the remaining three adults would have had a hard time staying with the swamped boat on top of the water. The water is still cold in the Spring, and the cold saps a person's strength very quickly.

The weather was scheduled to get very bad, as a quick check of the marine weather radio showed. These folks might have ended up spending the night in 4-6 foot waves on the Bay. Highly unlikely that such a situation would have a happy ending.

Well, I guess that I'm thinking of too many bad things that can happen on the water. I've only been boating for a few years, and now have started to understand a bit more about emergency situations, about the many things that can go very wrong.

Soooo, here are some simple things you can do to head off a possible tragedy:

• Tell someone where you are going, and when you are expected to return.
• Carry a marine radio (Hooray, no more FCC license needed for domestic travel! Radios are a MUST safety item now.). Use it to find out about the weather, before you go out. If in doubt, don't go.
• Carry flares, or better yet, aerial parachute flares, which can be seen from a much greater distance than hand-held flares. These folks had some hand-held flares, and used them, which is the good news.
• Have a alternate way to bail out your boat. A bucket, a hand-operated pump, even the picnic cooler (in a pinch), can make a big difference.
• Have enough PFD's on board for everyone. These folks did, but not everyone was wearing theirs. If you choose to not wear one, it MUST be near at hand and ready for use. Put it on at the FIRST sign of trouble, any trouble. And, yes, I've learned in just a year or two of boating, that trouble happens, and it happens FAST.
• Frankly, we are taught, that you should WEAR your PFD at all times. Uncomfortable? Buy one that fits and feels comfortable to wear. Perhaps a Type III (vest) is more comfortable for you. New hybrids are appearing on the market, too.
• Check the straps on the PFD's regularly. Pull on them HARD. If they break, buy new ones. Think that you are wasting money? If those straps broke when you fell into the water, then you would have no flotation at all. Money doesn't help much at that point.
• Oh, yes, check the condition of your engine and fuel before going out. Unfortunately in the spring in this area, some boats have been sitting idle all winter, and the fuel may be contaminated. That's just as bad as being out of fuel. Bad hoses or belts, as well as faulty electrics, can terminate your boating trip, too.
• If you have flares, check their expiration dates. If they are expired, DO NOT throw them away. Buy new ones, and keep the old around for "just in case". They may still work, and more are always better.
• Know how to make hand signals for distress. I am amazed at how few boaters know that you need to make BIG gestures. Wave both arms in an up-and-down motion. Hold something in one or both hands while waving, something orange, red (light color anyway), and LARGE. A seat cushion maybe, or a red jacket, T-shirt, flag, anything. If other boaters don't see you, they can't help you. If visibility is a problem, use your horn or a whistle. Yelling might work, but you would lose your voice rather quickly if no one responded.
• Buy attached lights and whistles for your PFD's. You may be in the water after dark. A potential rescuer can have a lot of trouble seeing you at night, even if you are floating nearby.
• Have a good "real" anchor with plenty of line (called "rode"). You never know when you will need one. No, a big block of concrete with a rope attached won't help much on a windy day.
• It should go without saying, but too many people ignore the simple rule: don't drink and boat. Enjoy that beer afterwards tied up at the dock, not before or while underway.

Why follow some of these guidelines? Because doing a little checking beforehand can help save your life, and the lives of your family.

Does all this sound too nervous-nelly? too scolding? too alarmist?

Besides enjoying a day on the water in my own boat, nothing makes me happier than to see other people enjoying boating, and to see them all come home with big smiles on their faces, fresh and relaxed from a happy and safe time on the water.

NUFF SAID?

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