Boating Safety Tips for the Summer
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Now that summer is here many families and friends will be taking out their boats and heading down to the waters. While boating is a great summertime activity, there are certain precautions one must to take to ensure the safety of everyone on board and to ensure the safety of those sharing the waters.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources reported in August 2008 that last summer’s boating season resulted in the deaths of 5 individuals-the lowest in 5 years. This is a significant drop from 2007, in which 13 people lost their lives due to boating accidents.
In an effort to continue this decreasing trend in fatalities, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources provides some helpful tips to keep families safe.
For example, persons must be 12 years of age or older in order to operate a motor boat or any personal watercraft that has 10 horse power or higher.
In addition, children from the ages of 12-17 must carry a Kentucky Safe Boating Certificate Card or in the alternative, have a certificate showing completion of a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) boater education course.
In the absence of a certificate indicating completion of such a course, persons 12 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. This requirement includes not only motorboats, but personal watercrafts as well.
All children 12 years of age or under must wear a lifejacket if they are seated in an open portion of the boat that is in motion.
It is important to note that regardless of age, everyone should wear a life jacket and educate themselves on boater safety. The best way to accomplish this is to complete a boater safety course similar to those provided by the United States Power Squadron and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.