Boating Security Suggestions For Memorial Day Weekend In San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – As the coronavirus pandemic continues in San Francisco, many here and other parts of the US are hoping to put an end to a long winter and spring by taking Memorial Day weekend out on the water with their newly purchased boats spend.
Hundreds of thousands of people in the US have become boat owners for the first time during the pandemic, the Water Sports Foundation said in a recent press release. Many are likely to reach Lake Merritt or San Francisco Bay in the days ahead.
With the growing number of new boat owners, the Water Sports Foundation and other organizations are taking additional steps to ensure that safety is a priority this year.
According to 2019 US Coast Guard statistics, about 70 percent of boating deaths occurred on boats that the operator did not have safety instructions on. Operator inattention, improper search, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol consumption were categorized as the top five factors in accidents.
Before you get on the boat for this Memorial Day weekend, here are some Watersports Foundation safety tips to keep you and your family safe on the water:
1. Take a boat safety education course.
Before starting your boat, make sure you are safe and comfortable at the helm, according to the foundation.
A variety of live, virtual, and hybrid boating safety courses are offered through the U.S. Coast Guard and a number of private boating training providers. For a list of educational resources, visit the National Boating Safety Media Resource Center.
2. Wear a life jacket.
According to the Water Sports Foundation, drowning is responsible for 79 percent of fatal boating accidents in which the cause of death was known. About 86 percent of these victims did not wear life jackets.
Make sure that you have life jackets for all passengers on board and that they are appropriately sized.
3. Don’t drink and drive.
This should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway. According to the US Coast Guard, alcohol consumption is the number one known contributor to fatal boating accidents. Skip the booze or at least call it a “sober skipper”.
4. Invest in an emergency engine shutdown switch.
On April 1, 2021, federal law was passed mandating the use of an engine shut-off switch (ECOS), an on-board safety device that is linked to the boat’s captain. If the driver falls out of the boat, the ECOS immediately stops the boat’s engine. Learn more about the $ 20 device.
5. Create a float plan.
Before leaving the dock, provide friends, family, or marina employees with the names of everyone on board, including mobile phone numbers and contact information. Make sure you include a planned itinerary with your destination, stops along the route, and your expected drop-off time.
6. Watch the weather.
Know the forecast before you set off. Be sure to download a weather app on your phone and monitor it regularly. If the weather turns bad, don’t stay on the water – seek shelter as soon as possible.
7. Communicate with passengers.
Should everyone stay seated while the boat moves? Let your passengers know before leaving the dock. Should everyone wear a life jacket? Communicate this too. Set expectations and make the rules clear before starting the boat’s engine.
8. Comply with capacity limits.
If your boat can only hold six passengers, don’t invite a seventh. If there is a weight limit, be sure to consider coolers, equipment, water toys, and other goods. Overloading your boat increases the risk of it overturning.
9. Be aware of your surroundings.
Just like driving on the freeway, keep an eye out for other boaters.
10. Choose goals wisely.
If you are new to boating, avoid setting sail on one of the busiest boating weekends of the year. However, if you insist on spending Memorial Day weekend on the water, venture to less crowded areas and avoid popular beaches and crowded venues.
11. Follow the specified speed limits and no-wake zones.
These are implemented to be on the safe side. Disregarding them is also a quick way to get a fine.
12. Be especially careful when you go boating at night.
Night-time boating can put your holiday celebrations at risk. If you plan to be out on the water after sunset, make sure all navigation and chase lights are functional. Again, avoid drinking alcohol – this can further impair your senses and visibility
