Boat safety tips for the lake

By Damon Stone

Staff Writer

 

With summer fully in swing, and with the temperatures rising, more people will be going out on the lake.

Dan Taylor, lead ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers, shared some ways to be safe while having fun out on the lake.

“The first thing we usually start off with boating is making sure you have your mandatory equipment,” Taylor said.

Taylor explained that there are four mandatory pieces of equipment, including life jackets for every person on board, with each properly fitting to each person, and that they are in good condition.

Another piece of equipment required on a boat would be a working fire extinguisher, making sure that the charge on it is in good serviceable condition.

Another required piece of equipment is an audible “sounding device,” like that of a whistle, air horn, or a horn on the boat.

The final piece of essential boating equipment would be a type four throwable device, typically a square cushion with handles on it, often being approved by the Coast Guard.

“We don’t do inspections ourselves,” Taylor clarified. “We just recommend folks (to check for these things), it helps to do it multiple times during the season, but if you’re only out during the major holidays, if you do it before going out for each major holiday, just pull that stuff out and make sure it’s easily accessible.”

Taylor explained that keeping essential items accessible will help prevent the loss of life, as he stated that it takes an adult less than a minute to drown, but that it takes less than 20 seconds for a child to drown.

“Having that equipment easily accessible is key,” Taylor emphasized. “It can mean somebody coming back to their loved ones at the end of the day.”

Taylor added that whenever the vessel is stopped, it’s up to the parents on whether or not their child, or children, have on lifejackets, but when the vessel is moving, children under 12 have to have on lifejackets and that their water safety slogan is, “when life jackets are worn, nobody mourns.”

Taylor also explained that the buoys in the water are crucial for the safety of boaters and non-boaters at the lake, and should be treated the same as a road sign for drivers.

Additionally, Taylor explained safety for canoers and kayakers, especially during major holiday events when people are more likely to be out on the lake.

“On busier holiday weekends, we recommend canoes and kayaks stick to coves,” Taylor stated. “It’s a little bit choppy out there with all the boat traffic and everything to be out there in a canoe or kayak.”

Canoers and kayakers are also required to be observant of any other vessels and to make way for who has the right of way.

Similar to regular boats, Taylor stated that canoes and kayaks require a life jacket on the vessel or on the operator, especially during busier holidays when the water is choppier.

“In a canoe or kayak, if you can turn and be perpendicular with the waves, that’s going to help,” Taylor explained. “If you’re sitting parallel with it, it’s going to try and roll you. So, if you can turn and face it, you can drive over the wake.”

Taylor added that boaters should be mindful of others on the water, not only as a sign of respect, but to ensure that their wake does not do harm.

“With the upcoming holiday weekend if you’re going to be out there to enjoy the fireworks, make sure your navigational lights are working,” Taylor emphasized. “Check those out, being your bow lights, and stern lights. We’ll be out there doing boat patrols in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and we’ll be checking peoples’ navigation lights before dark.”

Taylor added that boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol is treated the same as driving a car under the influence, and will be a safety risk to the driver and others on the water.

“Make sure you’re being aware and attentive, and following guidelines on our buoys,” Taylor stated.