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.

Auxiliary vessels that patrol area waters do NOT have law enforcement authority but, as Judy Julian, Flotilla Commander, Flotilla 3-10 has said, “We are gratified that pleasure boaters recognize and heed safety advisories from Auxiliary members. Our mission—whether conducting safety patrols or boating safety classes is to promote recreational boating safety”. It makes sense to boaters, after all. For Coast Guard Auxiliarists, it’s a matter of preventing a tragedy. Auxiliarists teach safe boating classes that stress common sense and preventative measures. They hope their efforts make the Auxiliary’s job of search and rescue unnecessary.

Flotilla 3-10 patrol vessels have issued numerous warnings and rendered assistance to area boaters on numerous occasions already—and the boating season is not over. Flotilla 3-10 wishes boaters following seas!!

If you want to play a bigger role in helping to assure boating safety, why not join Flotilla 3-10? Membership is open to anyone 17 years or older who wants to help other boaters enjoy safe boating experiences. Call Judy Julian 529-6765, or Joe Riley 472-4521 to see how you can become a “Volunteer Life Saver.” Call or contact Carroll Barrack to take a boating safety class 804-443-0541 or pe310@verizon.com