Page 51 - Discover Fall 2022
P. 51
Close Calls!
Frequent Safety Risks and Costly Events...
As the end of summer closes out the 2022 We still can't understand this one; how is
boating season, the Water Safety Council hiding from the fish more important than
looks back at the reoccurring incidents and protecting "life and limb"?
"close calls" that made us shake our heads in
"The Fire Eventually Goes Out after
disbelief and sympathy for those involved.
the Boat Sinks"! Early season boat fires
With the belief that awareness breeds
continue to haunt SML. Operators, please
improved water safety, let's look at a few of
frequently take the time to check out your
the more frequent and costly
power, fuel, and electrical
events:
systems. Check all voids
"Hit, Sunk!' This year we and bilge areas, and ventilate
have had another personal before starting. Are your
water craft (PWC) run into extinguishers up to the task
and sink a power boat. Two if needed, and do you know
such "torpedoing" incidents how they work? Can your
happened in 2021. Most of family don a life vest quickly
the passengers involved end and "abandon ship"?
up in the water, and the PWC
"I'm Fishing!" An issue
operators never fare well, due
every year: fishing boats disregarding the
to the force of the collision and subsequent
Rules of the Road, causing incidents and
water entry. Speed, lack of attention, and
placing other powered craft and non-
placing a PWC in close proximity to a power
powered small craft in danger. Trolling or
boat and its wake are all factors.
fishing using a trolling motor is operating
"Don't Want the Fish to See Me!' under power, and provides no excuse to
Fishing boats traveling at open throttle, ignoring all of the Rules of the Road. In
moving around, or stationary in low-light crossing situations, the stand-on vessel
conditions without proper lights on have stands-on. The give-way vessel gives way.
again triggered collisions with other craft. The over-taking vessel is responsible to
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