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Help Me BoatCat!
Another of our favorite, here at Ask-BoatCat. A sincere request from a guy who just wanted to share his love of boating with the family. By the way, they got the boat, and have been enjoying it.
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Hey BoatCat, would you help me out of a tough spot? My wife is really afraid for us
to get a boat. She says it wouldn't be safe for the kids and there are too many accidents
on boats. I noticed she has your link on her web site, so I know she'd listen to what you
have to say. She just shakes her head when I try to tell her how much fun we would have
with a boat.
Mike Rayes
Perdido Key, FL
BoatCat Answer:
Truth is Mike and Mrs. Mike, almost every boating related "accident" we've heard
of was the direct result of a stupid decision such as mixing alcohol with boating
and/or ignoring safety regulations. There are some very simple ways to keep you and
your family safe while boating.
The most common accident to passengers and crew is falling overboard. According
to the statistics over 40% of all fatal boating accidents start this way. It can
be avoided if boaters make sure they have good footing and a good hand-hold at all
times. Children or young goats should never be allowed to move about on an underway
boat. If you need to move around on the boat, reduce speed and make sure to get and
keep a grip with at least one hand.
Don't mix alcohol and water. In a Red Cross study, two-thirds of boating injury
victims, where the blood alcohol level was recorded, had consumed alcohol. Almost
40% had an alcohol level above the legal limit. Besides being illegal, it's
dangerous to operate any kind of machinery while drinking. A boat is no exception.
The US Coast Guard is even more to the point, stating that of the 519 boaters who
drowned in the year 2000, life jackets could have saved the lives of approximately
445 of those boaters who drowned. In 2000, approximately eight out of every ten
victims in fatal boating accidents were not wearing life jackets.
Always carry enough Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) for each person on board.
Children and non-swimmers should wear one at all times that the boat is underway.
For water-skiing, fishing, or simply cruising, PFDs are absolutely essential. It's
now even easier to find the ideal PFD because they're available in a wide array
of sizes, colors and patterns.(Doc even got me one) You can now choose one in your
favorite color, or to match your swimsuit or boat. Just make sure it fits properly!
The Red Cross study noted 92% of boating-related drowning victims were either not
wearing a PFD or life jacket or were wearing one incorrectly.
Don't forget the boating safety courses noted in the above response. Even old salts
need a refresher now and then. By taking your wife she will see just how much fun
boating is and how a little preparation and good sense will make it safe for her
and the children. She is obviously an intelligent women or she wouldn't have a link
to Ask-BoatCat on her site.
You might try taking the whole family on an Internet voyage of discovery by checking
out the links on our Boating Safety page. Here you will find sites designed with
children and newer boaters in mind and a complete rundown on just what it takes to
enjoy safe boating.
Boating, when a few simple rules are followed, is one of the safest family activities
there is. U.S. statistics show boating is twice as safe as biking, five times as safe
as driving a car, and 24 times as safe as scuba diving. My own calculations show it
to be 48 times safer than riding a bike under water. By practicing safe boating, you
will provide a wonderful pastime for yourselves and give your children a love of the
water that will last them a lifetime.
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