Practice Safety First this Labor Day Weekend
August 25, 2008
Boaters are sure to flood Georgia’s waterways this Labor Day Holiday weekend, bringing the summer boating season to an unofficial end. Given the expected level of holiday boating activity, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division want to stress the importance of safety, especially designating a sober driver this holiday weekend.
“Holiday weekends often mean increased use of public waterways – and that means an increased need for safety awareness from all boaters,” says Col. Terry West, Chief of Law Enforcement. “As always, conservation rangers will continue to strictly enforce all boating laws in an effort to keep everyone safe, but we also encourage people to pay extra attention to others on the water.”
So far this year there have been 124 boating incidents, 10 boating incident-related fatalities and 53 total drownings on Georgia waters. WRD Conservation Rangers have also issued a total of 158 boating under the influence citations. Many accidents and fatalities can be avoided by reviewing and following safety tips over the course of the holiday weekend’s festivities.
- There are no “driving lanes” on the water, so boat operators need to be educated on the ‘rules of the road’ and aware of all other boat traffic in the area. The 100-foot law prohibits people from operating ALL vessels, including personal watercraft (i.e. PWC, jet ski), at a speed greater than idle speed within 100 feet of any vessel that is moored, anchored or adrift outside normal traffic channels, or within 100 feet of any dock, wharf, pier, piling, bridge structure, person in the water or shoreline adjacent to a full-time or part-time residence, public park, public beach, public swimming area, marina, restaurant or other public use area.
- Wear your life jacket. Nine out of ten drowning victims did not. Children under the age of ten are required by law to wear a life jacket while onboard a moving boat (unless child is in a fully enclosed cabin).
- Do not drink and operate a boat. Half of all boating fatalities involve alcohol. Alcohol can affect people much more rapidly on the water – the boat’s movement, vibration, noise and glare, and the sun and wind create a so-called boater’s hypnosis. Make sure a designated operator refrains from drinking alcohol so they can safely operate the boat.
- Use navigation lights at ALL times on the water at night, whether the boat is moving or anchored. Do not wait until dark to turn your lights on to see if they are functioning properly.
- Do not overload your boat with people or equipment. Check the capacity plate on the boat that indicates the maximum weight capacity or the maximum number of people that the boat can safely carry.
- Minimum Age Requirements. Know Georgia’s age requirements for boat and PWC operation, and don’t lend your PWC to anyone underage.
- Brush up on your boating safety knowledge. Take a boating safety course. There are three easy ways for boat operators to take a course in Georgia – in a classroom, on the Internet at www.boat-ed.com
or through a home study course that can either be ordered on the Internet at www.boat-ed.com or by calling 1-800-460-9698.
In addition, due to Georgia’s current drought situation and the effects on area lakes and
waterways, WRD advises boaters to be extra cautious and aware of possible navigational obstructions while on the water.
“Boaters should be on the lookout for such obstructions as trees, debris and land areas that normally are well under the water’s surface,” explains West. “Even if you are familiar with a particular body of water, we encourage you to boat with caution to protect your vessel and your occupants.”
For more information on boating safety, contact a WRD Law Enforcement Office or visit the WRD website at www.goboatgeorgia.com .
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NDOW Unveils New Information Service
May 6, 2008
Nevada’s hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts are a motivated, organized group, constantly searching newspapers and the Nevada Department of Wildlife website (www.ndow.org) for population reports, fish stocking information, new information on hunt units, and changes in boating laws. This is a prepared group that strives for the most recent information.
With that in mind, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has unveiled the NDOW Information Service in an effort to get up-to-date information to the public as quickly as possible. The service sends out current NDOW press releases by email to customers who have subscribed to one of the department’s ListServs, an electronic mailing list that allows for widespread distribution of information to many internet users.
“The agency’s goal is to move toward a more broad based dispersal of all of our information, and ListServs and the internet are critically important in reaching new audiences,” said Kelly Clark, NDOW Conservation Education Division Chief.
People can either subscribe to receive all the information that NDOW sends out, or they can select to only receive information from one of four, more specific groups; Hunting, Fishing, Boating, or Wildlife and Habitat. Subscription is done on the NDOW website at www.ndow.org/subs/subs.asp.
Currently, the NDOW Information Service has more than 6,500 people subscribed to receive department news.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.
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Boat Validation Decals Needed
May 6, 2008
Attention boaters: new boat validation decals are needed before you launch your boat this year.
The red validation decal obtained for motorboats, sailboats, or personal watercraft expired at the end of February and should be removed or covered. The new decal needed before launching boats this spring is green in color and is valid through Feb. 28, 2011.
To keep Montana boaters consistent with federal boating laws that changed in 2005, state law requires Montana owners of motorboats, sailboats, or personal watercraft to validate their registration every three years by displaying the following on their water craft: (1) a permanent gold registration decal, and
(2) two green validation decals that expire every three years.
Boaters must have these decals properly displayed on their boats before putting them in the water.
Boaters who have already permanently registered their boats, sailboats, or PWC must obtain the two Boat Validation Decals every three years at FWP regional and area offices, or by going to the FWP website at Boat Validation Decals.
Validation decals ordered over the FWP website will be delivered by mail.
Be sure to bring your current registration receipt issued by the County Treasurer to your regional FWP office or have the information available when using the website to obtain the free decals.
If you are in the process of buying a boat or plan to buy one this season, the first set of validation decals will be issued to you when you permanently register the boat or PWC in your name at the County Treasurer’s office. Subsequent sets of validation decals, after Feb. 28, 2011, will be issued to you by visiting your FWP Regional or Area Office, or by requesting your decals online.
For more information, go to the FWP Montana Boating Laws page or contact Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at 406-444-2535.
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Tri-State Safety Brings Multitude of Agencies Together, Focus on Boating Safety
May 1, 2008
Officials to emphasize safety as boats launch during May 3 event
PHOENIX — A consortium of state, local and federal boating agencies is hosting the fifth annual Tri-State Boating Safety Fair at Lake Havasu State Park to educate boaters about boating safety May 3 at from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The theme of this year’s fifth annual safety fair will encourage boaters to take a boating education class, focus on the effects of operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol, and convey the importance of wearing life jackets.
A team of safety professionals from Arizona, California and Nevada will come together to conduct boating safety demonstrations on the river and encourage everyone to wear life jackets. “We want to reach as many people from both sides of the river as possible before this year’s boating season, reminding them of how important it is to exercise safe and responsible behavior when on the water” said Kevin Bergersen, Arizona’s Boating Law Administrator.
Visitors at the event and along the river will receive a “boating safety bag” full of small gifts and educational materials about boating laws in the three states through which the Colorado River runs. “Boating officials and law enforcement officers from each state will hand out boating safety bags and answer questions at 27 different boat launch ramps along the Colorado River,” said Bergersen.
Raynor Tsuneyoshi, California’s Boating Law Administrator agrees, “Outreach is the key to getting these important safety messages conveyed to the public since mandatory education is not a prerequisite for owning a boat.”
Navigation rules, boating laws, the consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning and operating under the influence of alcohol are just some of the topics that a boat owner should know. “Encouraging boaters to take a boating education class and our interaction with them is a positive method for conveying information that could save someone’s life,” he said.
The Boating Safety Fair will include public safety information booths, a demonstration of a water rescue, free vessel safety checks, and a drawing conducted by California’s boating safety campaign for a chance to win a personal watercraft and a seven-day house boating trip. Safety Fair participants can register to be in the drawing by taking the Tri-State Boating Safety Quiz at the event. Winners will be notified at the end of the summer boating season.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and state boating safety agencies will be conducting free vessel safety checks to ensure that a boater has all legal requirements and safety gear aboard the boat. In addition, corporate sponsors, such as Kawasaki, will be giving families a chance to bring in one outgrown or unsafe life jacket to trade in for a brand new one from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., while supplies last. Newer self-inflatable flotation devices are more comfortable, affordable and durable than ever. New styles will be on display.
Several different states, and local and boating safety organizations will host events and demonstrations throughout the day. The California boating safety team will demonstrate “hooked goggles” that simulate the debilitating effects of alcohol, and water rescue demonstrations will be performed with the cooperation of various law enforcement agencies, utilizing devices that detect and measure carbon monoxide poisoning.
Boating officials will also take time to educate boaters on the recent discovery of quagga mussels at lakes Mead, Mohave and Havasu, reminding them to clean their boats and trailers thoroughly to prevent the spread of the destructive species on the Colorado River system.
“Quagga mussels are a nasty invasive species that should be taken seriously because they do tremendous damage to boats, infrastructure and ecosystems,” said
Fred Messmann, Nevada’s Boating Law Administrator. He said experts will be on hand to demonstrate cleaning techniques, explain the issue and provide clarification to boaters with questions.
Day-use entry fee at the park will be waived, however, the boat launching fee of $9 will still be charged. The public is encouraged to stay the entire day to picnic, swim, fish and watch the events. For more information about the boating safety fair, call Lake Havasu State Park at (928) 855-9394 or go to www.BoatColoradoRiver.com.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.
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