For a list of upcoming Boating Education Courses in Ventura and 
Santa Barbara County please call our toll free number:
(800)838-3916

Safe Boating is no accident

Here in the Channel Islands waters off southern California, there are many different risks to the recreational boater. A fun vacation can quickly turn tragic with the wrong choices.  Know your area and your local waters before embarking on an ocean venture!

A few tips for preventing boating injuries

or potential deaths...

 

Wear Your Life Jacket While Boating
Life jacket use by all boat occupants can reduce drownings. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are now more attractive in appearance and comfortable to wear. When properly fitted, a life jacket or PFD can help to prevent a tragedy.

Avoid Alcoholic Beverages While Boating
Alcohol use affects judgment, vision, balance, and coordination. Reports suggest that alcohol was a contributing factor in about one-third of all boating fatalities.

Complete a Boating Education Course
More than half of reported incidents in 2004 involved operator controllable factors. The primary causes of incidents are carelessness or recklessness, operator inattention, operator inexperience, and unsafe speeds.

Boating education courses teach the regulatory and statutory rules (“Rules of the Road”) for the safe operation and navigation of recreational boats. During 2004, 70% of all boating fatalities occurred on boats where the boat operator had not attended a boating safety education course.

Participate in the Vessel Safety Check (VSC) Program
The Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is a free public service provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron volunteer organizations promoting boating safety. These volunteer personnel check safety equipment and provide information about equipment purpose, safety procedures and applicable regulations. For more information on the VSC Program, visit: www.vesselsafetycheck.org

Be Aware of the Risk of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
All internal combustion engines emit CO, an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas. In the early stages, the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to seasickness and CO can kill in a matter of minutes. Significant CO poisoning potential can include the use of air conditioning powered by an onboard motor generator; operation of any gasoline powered engine while docked and/or rafted with other boats operating engines; swimming or floating near an idling boat engine; or being underway with improper cabin ventilation. To avoid CO poisoning, be aware of the risk, ensure sufficient ventilation, properly install and maintain equipment, and utilize CO detectors, especially in living and sleeping areas.

Be sure to check state and local requirements, available from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators website, before boating as there are different rules and regulations for operator-age, safety equipment, etc. in different parts of the country.

Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (US).
 [cited 2006 Septemner 04]. Available from URL: www.uscgboating.org/statistics/Boating_Statistics_2004.pdf.