Page 15 - Mid America Boating - September 2022 issue

Coast Guard urges boater
safety after fatal Hudson
• Have life jackets for everyone on board and wear it • Be on the lookout for illegal charters. If the vessel is carry-
at all times. River boating accident ing six or more passengers, it must have a valid Coast Guard
• Have a throwable personal flotation device on board. Certificate of Inspection. Passengers can ask the captain of
• Make sure fire extinguishers are on board and the vessel to verify their license and the inspection status
operational. The U.S. Coast Guard is urging personal boating safety of the boat.
Doing these things (the three Ps) can help avoid a after a tragic fatal boating accident in the Hudson River on • Do not carry more passengers than a boat is designed for.
costly fire that causes damage to your boat or even a Tuesday afternoon. Check the boat’s maximum capacity plate (if equipped). Do
worse tragedy on the water. And always remember it’s The U.S. Coast Guard, along with New York Police Depart- not carry more passengers or more weight than the boat is
critically important that you and your passengers wear ment, New York Fire Department and local ferry operators, designed for. Overloading can cause the boat to ride lower in
a life vest. responded to an overturned vessel in the Hudson River that the water, reduce the vessel’s stability and greatly increase
To contact the US Coast Guard Auxiliary for a Vessel left two dead and two critically injured Tuesday afternoon. the chance of capsizing. Additionally, too much weight on
Safety Check (including a new virtual option) please Watch standers at the Coast Guard Sector New York one side of the boat can cause the vessel to list and increase
contact: www.cgaux.org/vsc command center received the initial report from City- the chances of capsizing.
wide 911 on Tuesday of an overturned 24-foot Yamaha • Never boat under the influence. It is illegal to operate a 15 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
Request a Vessel Safety Check: outboard-motor vessel with 12 people on board near the boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary conducts free vessel Intrepid Museum on West 42 Street. A small craft advisory are stringent penalties for violating BUI/BWI laws, which can
safety checks to ensure your boat is safe to go out and was in effect during the time of the incident. include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat opera-
enjoy the water. Please note that vessel safety checks are The Coast Guard is currently investigating the cause tor privileges and jail terms.
not available in all areas, but a virtual safety check may and circumstances of the incident. The USCG urges all • Never turn your back on the water. There are strong rip
be an alternative. Contact the Auxiliary: wow.uscgaux. boaters to remember these basic safety tips before every currents along the Atlantic coast, and sneaker waves are
info/content.php?unit=V-DEPT&category=i-want-a-vsc boating trip: common.
to see what is available in your area. • Always wear a life jacket. There is usually very little time to • Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.
reach for stowed vests when accidents occur. Wearing one at Even if boaters do not plan to enter the water, they should
Take a Boating Safety Class: all times reduces the risk of drowning. Federal law requires be prepared for an emergency. Paddleboarders, kayakers
Boating safety classes, even if not available in-per- mariners to have a personal flotation device aboard for each and wind surfers who are likely to go in the water should
son, are also available online. Statistics show that passenger. wear a wetsuit to decrease their risk of hypothermia and a
taking safe boating classes save lives. More informa- • Have sufficient means of communication including a life jacket to prevent them from drowning before rescuers
tion is available here: http://www.cgaux.org/boatinged VHF radio. VHF channel 16 is the international hailing and can get on scene.
And please remember, wear your life jacket at distress frequency and can be used to reach the Coast • File a float plan. A float plan is simply letting family and
all times! MAB Guard during emergencies. friends know where you are going and your expected time
• Large commercial and military ships have the right-of-way of return. File a float plan with someone who is not getting
David G. Epstein, BC-SRB, FSO-HR is an officer with over smaller and more maneuverable boats on the water. It underway with you and stick to the plan. A float plan assists
the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary which is the uniformed is illegal, according to Rule 9 of the Inland and International responders in the search of an overdue boater who may be
Auxiliary of Team Coast Guard. For more information, Rules of the Road, for boats less than 65 feet in length to in distress. Float plans can be filed through the Coast Guard’s
please visit http://cgaux.org impede the passage of these ships or to cross in front of safety app using the following link:https://floatplancentral.
these ships that impede their passage. cgaux.org MAB
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