Page 10 - Mid America Boating - April 2024 issue

Boat Smart

There will be reminders to review launch of the 17 foot boat who was responsible for the
APRIL 2024 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] 10
lists and clean up the boats before they hit collision said, “I just wasn’t paying attention.”
It can never be the water. Of utmost importance is all your What was left unsaid was the probability the
safety gear; flares and PFDs for sure. If you
operator of the 17 foot boat was using his cell
are pulled over on the water, your safety phone. If you have a VHF radio, perhaps you
said enough: equipment will be inspected thoroughly so should leave the cell phone on shore.
The news clip included a quote from
it’s a good idea to have it updated and in
good condition. a Sheriff’s Department press release. It
Let’s be I read a newspaper report of a boating addressed boating safety and was titled; “Is
collision that described the event. A 17 foot Your Boat Seaworthy?” The article provided
safe on and an 18 foot vessel collided and one person valuable information…
was sent into the still cold water. The operator
“We encourage boat owners to have their
local sheriff’s office perform a free vessel
the water! safety check. Vessel examiners will check the
boat for mechanical safety as well as verify
proper safety equipment is on board.”
If your boat needs an inspection, you
should be able to contact the local sheriff’s
Ddents for information. They may even be able
to meet you at your marina if time permits. If
not, trailer the boat to their location and have
the inspection done. You will receive a sticker
to display on your windshield and won’t be
delayed at the launch while other boats will
be inspected.
By Capt. Fred Davis
Local Coast Guard Auxiliarist will also
perform vessel inspections upon request.
Captain Fred Davis, who dedicated himself to decades of continously promoting boating safety, wrote They too are willing to meet you at the marina
hundreds of boating columns for Mid-America Boating and other publications on the subject that were or even your driveway. It’s possible you may
published during his lifetime. Captain Fred passed away in 2019, but many of his discussions about even set one up with them online.
boating safety remain timeless. Here is one of his many columns pertaining to the universal message Let’s all be careful out there and make this
about outfitting a boat for safety before you launch it for another season. a SAFE BOATING YEAR.
pring boating weather will soon be arriving in many areas of the country. Even in the cool Perils of the Freshwater Seas, an anthology of
north, the weather is starting to act like it could show up. A few warm days get everyone stories and experiences written by Captain Fred
Sthinking about the fishing and boating seasons that will soon be underway. They start Davis is available for $22.30 (includes shipping)
picturing being in their boats headed offshore. E-Mail: padavis2006@comcast.net

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