Experts stress safety for the start of boating season
May 23—With Memorial Day weekend almost here and the start of summer just around the corner, local experts are stressing the importance of boating safety.
According to U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating statistics, the period from May through September accounts for most boating accidents. The majority of these accidents are caused by operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, alcohol use and navigation rules violations.
From the 2023 statistics, 10.77% of boating accidents were due to inexperience.
"Every year we get a lot of new owners who have never owned a boat, and usually those are the ones that are the most dangerous," said Riverwalk Marina owner Steve Conner. "They just haven't gone through the courses or done anything to know what they're doing. A boat is so much different than driving a car."
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Officer Chad Dyer recommends novice boaters choose a less busy time than Memorial Day weekend to take to the waters for the first time.
"It's easier to learn when there is less traffic on the waterway," Dyer said. "It's less stressful for you and safer to learn."
Many of the accidents that Conner has seen or heard about happen when a boat driver comes to pick someone up. To avoid dangers, he recommends drivers wear a legally required kill switch cord, which will turn the motor off if they're thrown from the boat.
A motorized vessel license is required to operate a motorboat in Alabama. Additionally, any child under the age of 8 is required to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
"The biggest thing that I can stress to people is wear a life jacket," said Danny Kelso, chief of the Morgan County Rescue Squad. "No matter if you're a good swimmer or not, sober, or young, it doesn't matter; wear a life jacket because you can't drown with a life jacket."
When people come through Riverwalk Marina to set out on the water, Conner offers them these words of advice: "Make sure all your equipment is on board. Make sure you have enough life jackets. Make sure your lighting on your boat is working."
Kelso also recommends boaters ensure they have enough fuel and a fully charged battery. He said people don't think about it and kill their batteries by playing the radio when the boat isn't running.
If they do find themselves without fuel or power this Memorial Day weekend, the Rescue Squad will be available to tow them back to safety when they call 911.
The National Safe Boating Council also offers safety tips, which in addition to Conner's recommendations, include sharing your "float plan" with a friend or family member not on the water, monitoring the weather before departing and keeping a functional communication device on hand in case of an emergency.
Conner said there are a lot of common sense safety precautions during Memorial Day weekend that people frequently overlook. He remembers a time a group had a grill on board that they forgot to secure. It got knocked over in the boat and spilled hot charcoal.
Conner also said passengers should avoid drinking too much, and the driver shouldn't drink at all. Alcohol consumption is another leading cause of boating accidents.
"If people are going to drink on the boat, have a sober, licensed boat driver that has a vessel license," Kelso said.
Blood alcohol content for a boat driver must be below 0.08%, the same as for the driver of a car. According to Coast Guard statistics, in 2023, alcohol use was the top contributing factor in accidents resulting in a fatality when the cause of the accident is known.
Conner said boat drivers have a big responsibility because they're in charge of making sure everyone else is safe.
— GraciAnn.Goodin@DecaturDaily.com or 256-340-2437. Bernie Delinski contributed to this report.
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