Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Boat Safely This July 4th Weekend
July 1, 2008
Frankfort, Ky. – July 4th is the busiest boating weekend of the year in Kentucky. Congested waters make for dangerous conditions, so boaters should be extra careful as they enjoy the holiday.
Be aware of all other boaters nearby, especially personal watercraft (manufactured under the trade names Jet Ski, Sea-Doo, WaveRunner and AquaTrax). The low profile of these small, fast boats makes them easily missed while operating a larger boat. Also keep a lookout for swimmers, inner tubers and skiers. Scan the water around you before turning on your engine and continue to scan while under power.
If you are a personal watercraft operator yourself, drive defensively. Never cut too close to other boats or jump another boat’s wake. Remember that boat navigation laws require personal watercraft operators to give way to larger boats, and personal watercraft operators are required to follow all of the same rules as larger boats. All personal watercraft operators must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
No matter what type of boat you operate, a day on the water can cause a condition known as boater’s fatigue. A combination of sun, wind, noise, vibration and the movement of the boat can make operators and passengers feel sleepy or groggy. Boater’s fatigue can cause bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and slower reaction time. If you begin to feel fatigued, allow more distance between your boat and other boats and make slower turns. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water to help minimize dehydration and fatigue, and let someone else operate the boat if you are too tired to do so safely. Boater’s fatigue combined with alcohol can be a deadly mix, so please leave the alcohol ashore.
Many boaters operate their boats after dark during July 4th weekend. If you venture out after daylight hours, be extra cautious to avoid a collision with another boat. Make sure all navigation lights on your boat work. Kentucky law requires that all boats operating from sunset to sunrise display a steady white light visible 360 degrees at all times. Drive slowly and use extreme caution when navigating around other boats in fireworks viewing areas.
Be sure not to overload your boat with passengers this holiday weekend. Your boat was designed to carry a certain amount of weight, including equipment and passengers. Exceeding this limit can make your boat susceptible to being swamped with water in heavy July 4th boating traffic. You and your passengers should also know how to get back in the boat should someone fall overboard. Keeping a portable boarding ladder on hand is a good idea to ensure everyone can get back into the boat.
Make sure you have all required safety equipment – especially life jackets. You must have enough life jackets for everyone on board. Make sure you have child-sized life jackets available. All passengers under the age of 12 must wear their life jacket while in the open part of a boat that is underway.
Finally, don’t drink and boat. Kentucky law prohibits drinking on the water – whether you are a boat operator or passenger. Yet half of the state’s boating-related fatalities involve alcohol. Conservation officers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will be out in full force, looking for impaired boaters and helping to keep everyone’s July 4th weekend safe.
For complete boating regulations, pick up a copy of the 2008 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide, available wherever fishing licenses are sold.
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DLNR To Hold Public Meeting on Thrillcraft Use Around Lana’i
June 17, 2008
LANA‘I CITY – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold an informal public meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at the Hale Kupuna o Lana‘i at 1144 Ilima, Lana‘i City, to hear from community members whether they want to see thrillcraft (also known as personal watercraft or PWCs) allowed around Lana‘i
“The purpose of this meeting on Lana‘i is to find out if there is broad general support for jet ski riding from residents,” said DLNR Chair Laura H. Thielen.
Commercial or recreational use of thrillcraft, such as jet skis, is currently prohibited around the islands of Lana‘i and Moloka‘i. A petition is being circulated on Moloka‘i to demonstrate public support for legalizing jet ski riding, and DLNR held a public meeting there on May 8 to hear from Moloka‘i residents.
Legalizing thrillcraft riding would require a change to the administrative rules Chapter 13-256- 17 of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and involve a process of public hearings on a draft rule change, approval by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), review by the Small Business Regulatory Review Board, Department of the Attorney General, and final signature by the Governor, before it could become law.
In addition, Hawai‘i Administrative Rule Chapter 13-256-16 requires all personal watercraft operators to be certified in the safe use of their watercraft, by completing a class offered through the University of Hawai‘i Community College System.
Under its administrative rules, thrill craft operations may be curtailed in certain designated areas as necessary, to avoid possible adverse impacts on humpback whales or other protected marine life; provide for increased public access; reduce user conflicts; and promote overall public safety.
The meeting location is disability accessible. If accommodation for special needs is required, i.e., large print, taped materials, sign language interpreter, etc., contact Lana‘i Harbor Agent Sherry Menze at 559-0723 or Maui District Manager Nicholas Giaconi at 243-5824 at least one week prior to the designated date and time of the meeting.
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Personal Watercraft Require Attentive and Knowledgeable Operators
May 31, 2008
RALEIGH, N.C. - Propelled by jets of water, personal watercraft are fast and easy to maneuver, which is a large part of their appeal – and their potential danger.
“You need to know how your personal watercraft works and the regulations that apply to its ownership and operation before you get on it,” said Capt. Chris Huebner, the state’s boating safety coordinator. “Any maneuver that endangers people or property constitutes reckless operation and is breaking the law.”
Reckless operation, lack of proper safety equipment and exceeding capacity are the most frequently cited violations for personal watercraft operators in North Carolina. Another common violation is underage operators. State law restricts anyone younger than 16 from operating a personal watercraft unless:
- They are at least 14 years old and riding with a person who is at least 18.
- They are at least 14 years old and have successfully completed an approved boating safety education course, and have proof of age and safety course completion with them while operating the personal watercraft.
“It is also against the law to knowingly let anyone younger than 16 operate a personal watercraft who doesn’t meet those qualifications,” Capt. Huebner added.
For more information on operating a personal watercraft in North Carolina, click here or call (919) 707-0031.
To enroll in a free N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission-sponsored Boating Education Course, click here or call (919) 707-0031.
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DLNR To Hold Public Meeting on Jet Ski Use Around Molokai
May 8, 2008
HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold an informal public meeting on Moloka‘i on Thursday, May 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center conference room to hear from community members regarding the use of jet skis (also known as personal watercraft or PWCs) around Moloka‘i.
“We understand a petition is being circulated on Moloka‘i to demonstrate public support for legalizing jet ski riding,” said Thielen. “The purpose of this public meeting is to hear directly from residents regarding concerns or questions they might have about the use of jet skis in Moloka‘i waters.”
Residents can also provide comments in writing to the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, or at subsequent meetings.
Commercial or recreational use of controlled ocean sports equipment, such as jet skis, is currently prohibited around the islands of Moloka‘i and Lana‘i.
“In recent months we have received complaints from island residents about noise and disturbance to reef animals from an increase in illegal jet ski riding in nearshore waters of Moloka‘i,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson. “After our enforcement division officers followed up on these reported cases, we saw a decrease in jet ski use.”
A similar public meeting will be planned for Lana‘i in the near future.
Legalizing jet ski riding would require a change to the administrative rules of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. The process would involve public hearings on a draft rule change, approval by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, review by the Small Business Regulatory Review Board and Department of the Attorney General, and final signature by the Governor, before the new rules can take effect.
In addition, Hawai‘i Administrative Rule Chapter 13-256-16 requires all personal watercraft operators to be certified in the safe use of their watercraft, by completing a class offered through the University of Hawai‘i Community College System.
Under its administrative rules, thrill craft operations may be curtailed in certain designated areas as necessary, to avoid possible adverse impacts on humpback whales or other protected marine life; provide for increased public access; reduce user conflicts; and promote overall public safety. Any person requiring accommodations for special needs (i.e. sign language interpreter, large print documents, etc.) may contact harbormaster
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