It’s National Safe Boating Week! Boat trips are a way of life in the Blue Water Area, but even seasoned boaters sometimes need a safety reminder.
Wearing a life jacket can be the difference between life and death and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages all boaters, especially youth boaters, to wear their life jackets any time they are on a boat.
The DNR’s top rules are to wear a life jacket and to boat sober. The DNR also suggests making sure your boat is operating properly before leaving shore, having a float plan, and carrying a two-way communication device. Boaters are also asked to stay alert, as conditions on the water can change quickly.
When it comes to life jackets, boaters have many excuses for why they aren’t wearing one. The National Safe Boating Council says having life jackets on board is not the same as wearing them. Being a strong swimmer is not an excuse either, as plenty of strong swimmers become drowning victims. For those who don’t like the bulkiness of life jackets, there are new styles that look like suspenders or a belt pack and inflate when needed.
For more information, go to safeboatingcampaign.com.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
