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May 19, 2006
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND KICKS OFF OHIO’S BOATING SEASON
Boaters should wear life jackets and observe safety measures on the water
COLUMBUS, OH - Memorial Day weekend, May 26-29, marks the traditional start of Ohio’s summer boating season and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) encourages boaters to keep safety on the water as their highest priority.
“As participation in recreational boating has more than doubled over the past 30 years, injuries and fatalities have dropped by more than half because of increased safety awareness,” said Mike Quinn, acting chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft. “Our focus remains to keep boating safe by encouraging boaters to always wear a life jacket, take a boater education course and observe other safe boating practices.”
The ODNR Division of Watercraft reports that in 1973, there were 6.3 million registered boats and 1,754 boating-related fatalities in the United States. In 2004, there were 12.8 million registered boats and 676 boating-related fatalities.
Speed is rarely a factor in boating-related fatalities, say watercraft officials. Falling overboard and drowning because of the failure to wear a life jacket (or wear it properly) is the single biggest culprit in boating fatalities. In 2003, Ohio recorded 19 boating-related fatalities, followed by a record low seven fatalities in 2004 and 12 fatalities in 2005. No boating fatalities had occurred in Ohio through May 15 this year.
“The majority of people who died in boating-related accidents drown. And of those who drown, approximately 85 percent fail to properly wear an approved life jacket,” said Quinn.
He emphasized that today’s life jackets come in a variety of types and styles that are designed to be lightweight and comfortable - not like the bulky, orange vests of the past, which are still effective flotation devices.
“Today’s styles are very affordable and more appealing to those who should be wearing them,” said Quinn.
Ohio law requires any person riding a jet ski or being towed behind a boat to wear a life jacket. In addition, any child under age 10 who is riding on a boat less than 18 feet long, must wear a life jackets while the boat is underway.
Boaters are also reminded that, as with driving a motor vehicle, drinking alcohol while operating a boat is a lethal combination. Watercraft officers will issue citations to boaters who are driving a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A person with a blood alcohol content of .08 or more is considered legally intoxicated in Ohio.
Additional factors to consider when boating are:
- the location of other watercraft,
- water levels,
- currents or drift,
- wind and waves.
A weather radio and a cellular phone are “must haves” when boating on Lake Erie or in rural and unpopulated areas.
“One way to make sure a day on the water is fun and safe is by completing a boater education course,” Quinn said. “The classes are offered statewide and listings are available online at ohiodnr.com and through home study.”
Lake Erie water levels are expected to be at or slightly above normal throughout the summer. However, boaters still need to watch for sandbars and banks, which are generally marked. Obstacles in Lake Erie can change from year to year, so boaters should not rely on outdated charts.
For additional information about boater education courses and other boating programs and opportunities, visit the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com .
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