Page 9 - Mid America Boating - August 2023 issue

Focus on Boating Safety from USCGA

It’s a good

time to do a

double check

on most recent 9 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ]

boating safety

regulations

Compiled By David G. Epstein, Branch AUGUST 2023
Chief, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Boater Education makes a difference. USCG
statistics show that 75% of fatalities occurred
on boats where the operator did not receive be found at: uscgboating.org/recreational- boaters/fire-extinguisherfaq.php 7

safety instruction. Applicable state boating boaters/engine-cut-offdevices.php 6. • Alcohol consumption remains the single
education requirements may be found by • New fire extinguisher regulations for greatest contributing factor in recreational

visiting the state boating law section at: recreational vessels took effect on April 20, boating fatalities. Last year, 16% of deaths
https://uscgboating.org/regulations/state- 2022, REF (D). These regulations do not involved alcohol, and we believe these
boating-laws.php 5 change the number of fire extinguishers numbers are underreporting this problem.

required onboard. Per these regulations, Don’t drink and drive your boat!
owners of recreational vessels are • Get a vessel safety check at: www.cgaux.
now relieved from certain inspection, org/vsc
maintenance, and record keeping And always wear your life jacket when David G. Epstein is an offi cer with the U.S. Coast
requirements. A series of frequently asked underway! Please wear it because remember Guard Auxiliary which is the uniformed Auxiliary
questions and supporting information may that heat loss will make it hard to use your of Team Coast Guard. For more information, please
be found at: uscgboating.org/recreational- fingers after experiencing hypothermia. MAB visit http://cgaux.org

authorities. These devices are designed to
From the BoatUS Foundation: work in remote areas where cellphone cover-
age is not available. EPIRBs and PLBs can be
5 Ways to be seen and rented from the BoatUS Foundation.
Sound-Producing Device: A sound produc-
heard when you really need ing device, such as an installed horn, a hand-
held air horn, and even a whistle, can be used
to signal for help. Five or more blasts from a
to summon help horn or a whistle indicate danger or a danger-
ous situation is unfolding. Sound-producing
devices are required by law on most boats and
can be heard over a considerable distance.
Visual Distress Signals: Visual Distress

Signals (VDS) such as pyrotechnic flares and
certain battery-operated SOS light beacons
can be used to signal for help when you’re
out on the water. Flares and Coast Guard-ap-
proved distress lights can be seen from
• Wearing an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) several miles away and are an effective way
link became a requirement when REF (B) to signal for help when other methods of
modified 46 U.S.C. Section 4312. communication are not available.

Distress Flag: A distress flag is an orange

flag with a black square and a black circle. If
you’re in distress, you can hoist the flag to

signal other boats that you need assistance.
This is a good alternative for use on small, wet
watercraft, like kayaks and personal water-
craft where traditional flares could get wet or

Visual distress signals can be very effective for summoning help from those assets storage aboard is a challenge. MAB
closest to your location – fellow boaters – potentially shortening response time.
The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and
When you have an emergency on the water, ers on most waterways. New Digital Selec- Clean Water is an innovative leader promoting
how do you get help? The nonprofit BoatUS tive Calling (DSC) radios with a red distress safe, clean and responsible boating. The Foundation

Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean button can even send an emergency call and provides educational outreach directly to boaters
Water reminds boaters that having the ability other important information such as your and supports partner organizations nationwide.
to be seen and heard is critically important. location to authorities automatically when With millions of boaters on the water, our aim
Here are five ways boaters can prepare for a properly installed and registered. is to reduce accidents and fatalities, increase stew-

• If the vessel has an ECOS link, the operator safe summer on the water and, if necessary, Emergency Beacon: An emergency ardship of our waterways and keep boating a safe
most likely must wear it. REF (C) provides summon rescuers to your location. beacon, such as an EPIRB (Emergency Posi- and enjoyable pastime. The BoatUS Foundation is
specific circumstances when ECOS link wear VHF Radio: A VHF (Very High Frequency) tion Indicating Radio Beacon) or PLB (Person- a national 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization. Our

is required. Additional information may radio is the most reliable way to communicate al Locator Beacon) can be activated to send work is primarily funded by grants and individual
with other boats and emergency respond- a distress signal to satellites and rescue donations.