Coast Guard encourages safe boating

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard is encouraging boaters to make safety a priority before heading out on the water this weekend.

Here are some tips that will help you stay safe:

Wear life jackets: Almost three-quarters of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, nearly 90% were not wearing a life jacket. Accidents can happen very quickly, sometimes leaving no time to don a life jacket. Children need life jackets. It's the law on all federal waters including the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, tributaries and coastal waters. On a vessel underway, children under 13 must wear an appropriate Coast Guard-approved life jacket, unless they are below decks or within an enclosed cabin.

Take extra care navigating at night and in unfamiliar waters: The most frequently reported boating accident are collisions with another vessel, so it's important to maintain a safe speed, post a lookout and ensure all navigation lights work. Spotlights can be very helpful, and ensure all safety gear is readily available and life jackets are worn. Be extra careful not to run over anchor lines in crowded areas, and don't take shortcuts during periods of darkness.

Don't overload your boat: Resist the urge to invite more friends or family onboard than what your boat was designed to carry. Heavily loaded small boats, and those with little freeboard such as bass boats, are more susceptible to swamping from weather or wake action associated with heavy boating traffic.

Don't drink and boat: A day out on the water in the sun will increase alcohol's effects on the body, so it's best to wait until you're safely back at the dock or home before drinking alcoholic beverages. Also bring lots of water, a VHF marine band radio, and check marine radio weather reports often to stay abreast of small craft advisories and current weather forecasts to avoid quick moving storm fronts that can cause serious problems for boaters.

Carbon monoxide is deadly: Raft-ups, or groups of boats tied together in a protected anchorage, is a fun way to spend the weekend with fellow boaters. Although you should never run an engine, or a generator for that matter, with swimmers in the water near exhaust ports or props. Even though the boat's transmission may not be in gear, propellers can still rotate, and odorless, colorless carbon monoxide can quickly overcome swimmers.

Take a boating safety class: The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides boating safety courses taught in communities across the country. To find one near you, go to U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: http://www.cgaux.org/ .

Get a free vessel safety check: The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides a free service to boaters called a "Vessel Safety Check". The checklist inspection includes a thorough examination of the boat and all required equipment to ensure it meets Coast Guard requirements. Visit the vessel safety check web site at: http://www.safetyseal.net/ .

Offshore Boating: Emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) provide boaters an excellent enhancement with regard to safety during an offshore voyage. In the event a voyage is interrupted by unforeseen events the beacon will transmit the boats position and other identifying information that will expedite rescue.

Lastly, the Coast Guard takes hoax calls and false distress calls seriously. Hoax calls tie up rescue crews who could be responding to legitimate rescue cases. Boaters are strongly encouraged to police their marine radios especially with children aboard.

For additional boating safety tips, boaters can access the Coast Guard's Boating Safety Web site at www.uscgboating.org or they can contact the Coast Guard's regional boating safety specialist, Dennis Sens at (757) 398-6204.