Tips for Autumn Boating
It is autumn in Ohio! Leaves are falling, the evening chill is refreshing, and pulling on a sweatshirt at dusk is familiar again. As the air temperature decreases, so does the number of boaters who are on the water -- and eventually so will the temperature of the water.
If you are planning to take advantage of the lack of crowds, take in the scenery, or take the opportunity to hunt waterfowl, the ODNR Division of Watercraft offers the following safety tips to keep your autumn boat outing safe and enjoyable:
- Check the latest weather forecast and keep an eye to the sky. Prepare for the possibility of encountering bad weather. Strong winds and waves brought on by bad weather increase the risks of a boater ending up in the water.
- File a float plan. Tell family or a trusted friend the general area of the waterway you plan to use, whom you are taking with you, when you are leaving, and when you plan to return. Include information about your vehicle, boat, and watercraft registration number. Remember to let that person know when you have returned safely.
- Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. In early autumn the water may be warmer than the air, but that begins to change as cooler nighttime temperatures prevail. In October and November we can still have "sunny and warm" days that seem suitable for a t-shirt and jeans. If you end up in the water, however, your jeans and t-shirt offer no insulation from cold-water shock.
- Do not overload your boat. Balance the load of all passengers and gear. Do not exceed the carrying capacity in passengers or total gear.
- Always wear a life jacket. A life jacket keeps a person afloat even after the shock of falling into frigid water. Additionally, life jackets provide excellent insulation against cold, wind and rain. Ohio law requires that all watercraft be equipped with a Coast Guard-approved, wearable lifejacket for each person on board. Lifejackets must also be worn at all times by children under 10 years of age on boats less than 18 feet.
- Boat sober. Alcoholic beverages and boating do not mix. Alcohol affects balance, vision, judgement, and coordination -- all factors of safe boating. Research has shown that when combined with boating stressors such as wind, noise, vibration and motion, alcohol can impair a person on the water much faster than on land. It is illegal to operate a watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
|