One of the things that bothers every Coast Guard Auxiliarist, whether on patrol or observing boaters from their shore-side homes, is seeing young people with feet and arms draped over the bow of a boat. Why? A sudden shift in the boat’s speed or course can cause one of these young folks to fall overboard and disappear under the boat and into the churning propeller. Bow riding is not only dangerous. It’s not legal.

On several recent safety patrols, Flotilla 3-10 Auxiliary crews have strongly urged other vessel captains to have their young charges, who have been hanging over the bow, get back into the interior of the boat. In every case, they have complied. Whew! And to think that most of the offenders were not wearing life jackets.  Double whew!! And they were under the age of 13. Triple Whew!!! No charge for saving a young life; we’re volunteers.

Bow riding has become an alarming practice and also an alarming, sometimes deadly statistic. According to the Dire tor of Auxiliary, 5th Southern region, “In 2008, there were 65 boating fatalities recorded in the 5th District, a 5 per cent increase from 2007. The primary contributing factors in 20% of these fatalities was the standing or sitting on the gunwhales (side), bow, or transom of boats, which represented a 500% increase from 2007.

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In honor of Safe Boating Week, the Town of Kilmarnock recently issued a proclamation on safe boating to call attention to the need for boaters to act responsibility on the water and encourage individuals to enroll in a safe boating course.

United States Coast Guard statistics consistently show that approximately 80% of the fatalities on water involve a person that has not taken a safe boating course.  “The ‘It won’t happen to me attitude’ is clearly wrong as evidenced by the facts,” commented Wally Dawson, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Commander.  “We appreciate the Town Council recognizing the importance of Safe Boating and issuing a Proclamation in support of National Safe Boating Week.”

“There are a lot of things that can go wrong on the water,” said Don Gallagher, Flotilla Education Officer.  “How to deal with, prepare for or avoid an emergency is so important and can save your life or one of your family’s.”

The State of Virginia also recognizes the importance of boaters taking a Safe Boating Course.  A recent Virginia law, similar to many other states, requires all boaters to have a Safe Boating Certificate.  Starting in July 2009, this requirement is being phased in based upon age.

Wally Dawson, Flotilla Commander receiving the Kilmarnock Town Council Proclamation from Mayor Curtis Smith.

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“Daddy, Daddy, those men in the blue uniforms said I could go on the big orange boat over there.  Can I?  Can I?  Please!!!!”

Thus began the often heard pre-boarding warning heard all evening at Kilmarnock’s First Friday Walkabout.   Each month, the Lancaster by the Bay Chamber sponsors a Walkabout on the First Friday of the month from May through October in the Steptoes District of Kilmarnock, Virginia.  Vendors offer items for sale, businesses conduct open houses, contests are offered, children activities are available and a street is closed off for entertainment.

“With Safe Boating Week close by, we took this opportunity to include this event among our other National Safe Boating Week activities,” said Wally Dawson, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 33 Commander.  “Having a Coast Guard boat next to our booth really attracted a lot of attention.  While kids were investigating the boat, we were able to talk to parents about boating safety.”

A request was submitted to Senior Chief (BMCS) Matthew Welsh, Officer in Charge at Coast Guard Station Milford Haven for one of the station’s boats to be available for the event.  Welsh quickly committed, barring any emergency.  “At a recent meeting I had with all Auxiliary Flotilla Commanders located within the stations Area of Responsibility (AOR), I mentioned that I wanted to provide more support to the Auxiliary by participating in public events with them,” commented Welsh.  “Flotilla 33 immediately took me up on the offer.”

“This was a very successful event,” said Jerry Hawley, Flotilla Public Affairs Officer.  “Not only did we distribute our safe boating material, we had people sign up for our ABC safe boating class and even looks like we may have a new member.”

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The 2010 recreational boating season will soon be underway!  Boaters are already making trips to marinas admiring their prized possessions under the shrink wrap, longing for the season to begin, calculating the tasks ahead, and anticipating launch day.  Luckily, many boaters are also considering how to ensure their vessels are safe for all the maritime excitement ahead. 

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers boaters an on-site Free Vessel Safety Check each year. Vessel Safety Checks are conducted by qualified Auxiliary vessel examiners who educate boaters on safety equipment and check to see that recreational vessels meet the most recent legal requirements before leaving the dock.  This preventive outreach program encourages voluntary compliance: vessel examiners do not (and cannot) issue citations or “turn in” vessels not meeting all the requirements to a regulatory agency like the State Marine Police or active-duty US Coast Guard. Instead, the examiner’s single goal is prevention: ensuring vessel owners are safe and smart when they get underway, outfitted with all their required safety gear.

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Editor’s Note: One of our regular contributors to the BOATING & FISHING blog sent along the following information from The Boat Owners Association of the United States. We thought it worth passing along to Local Accent readers.



Five Earth Day Tips for Boaters That Keep the Green in Your Wallet

Being good to the environment doesn't have to cost money. With Earth Day coming Thursday, April 22, these five clean boating tips from the BoatUS Foundation will improve stewardship of the waterways without breaking your bank:

1. When you wash your boat, will so-called “environmentally friendly” boat cleaners get the job done? You can learn which products scored the highest - both in effectiveness and ecology - in BoatUS Foundation cleaning products tests. View a series of short videos as well as a full report, “Foundation Findings #47 - Green Cleaners Testing,” at boatus.com/foundation/findings/47/.

2. If you trailer your boat to different waterways each summer, leave the uninvited aquatic hitchhikers at home by ensuring it is cleaned thoroughly (including any tackle or watersports gear) and allow it to dry completely before splashing in a different lake or river. This will help ensure any invasive species are not transported to invade new habitat.

3. Lighten the load. Remove any unnecessary gear or equipment from your boat to improve fuel economy. For boats kept in the water, keep the hull and running gear free of marine growth that can sap fuel efficiency. An engine tune up in the spring can also pay for itself over the course of the summer.

4. Stash your trash. Make a rule aboard your boat that nothing gets thrown overboard, including partially eaten food and cigarette butts. Be especially vigilant with plastic bags that can take flight underway and later kill marine life when ingested. Discard butts in special containers and recycle fishing line.

5. Fill her up - without spilling a drop. Learn about safe and clean refueling tips, such the use of absorbent pads and “donuts,” or learn how to not overfill your boat's gas tank, all at helpstopthedrops.com.

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