ANNAPOLIS, MD (WKZO AM/FM) — Ahead of the big Fourth of July weekend, a nonprofit is reminding boaters of some basic safety tips to observe while celebrating America’s birthday.
According to the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), Fourth of July weekend brings the expectation of thousands of boaters on the water. The organization says that the weekend is traditionally the biggest boating weekend of the year.
As a result, the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has issued a reminder for boaters to maintain safety at all times.
In addition to following social distancing guidelines under the COVID-19 pandemic, officials with the organization say fireworks can be a major concern during this weekend.
Despite the cancellation of many community fireworks displays, boaters may be tempted to use their own, which can be a serious injury risk.
“With gallons of fuel aboard and other flammable materials – your boat – you would be truly risking lives,” BoatUS Foundation Assistant Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner said in a statement. “It’s not worth the risk. There is no safe place aboard a boat suitable for using fireworks.”
The organization is reminding each boat captain that passengers become their own responsibility as soon as the boat pulls away from the dock.
In doing so, the organization discourages heavy alcohol consumption on the water. Data provided by the organization says that alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.
“Just because the captain is sober doesn’t mean alcohol should be free-flowing aboard your boat,” Sensenbrenner added. “The stressors of a hot sun, wind and waves all day when combined with alcohol can intensify the effects of inebriation, increasing the risk of a passenger slip or fall overboard or worse. Save the alcohol for celebrating after you have safely returned home for the night.”
In addition to these safety tips, boaters are reminded that an enforcement campaign will be underway during the holiday weekend.
Operation Dry Water is meant to heighten Boating Under the Influence (BUI) awareness and enforcement during the three-day weekend of July 3−5, and law enforcement officers will be on alert for those violating boating under the influence laws. Agencies from all 50 states and are expected to participate for increased enforcement.
These reminders come after a boat crash was recently reported in Michigan’s Barry County, which caused minor injuries to some involved.
