BOATING SAFELY

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My main objective in teaching boating safety is to teach all children and adults how to be safe on the on the water and to respect other boaters rights. My classes are taught in Eagle River at the Y.M.C.A. in June, July and Aug. The classes are from 5P.M. until 8P.M. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I stress that the Captain of the watercraft is responsible for everything pertaining to the boat and water he is in. The people, cargo and especially the wake. One of the biggest problems is the boaters ignorance of the SNW zones, (slow no wake). It is the drivers responsibility to know where they are even if the buoy is missing. The law states that 100 feet from a buoy is a SNW zone which means you must slow down. If you don't slow down until you reach the buoy it causes a 4 foot wake, which moves the buoy's anchor about 3 or 4 inches. Multiply that times 100 or more and the buoy will be out of position in only one week.

One of my many volunteer jobs is to put the buoys in the Eagle River Chain of Lakes, which is from Burnt Rollways Dam to Otter Rapids Dam, and then to remove them in the fall. It is a big job as the buoy weighs 70 pounds and the anchor weighs 55 pounds. During the summer months I have to check the buoys periodically to make sure they are all in working order and in the right location. Sometimes they just need a new battery or a new globe. Other times the buoy has to be replaced with a new one due to boating damage. If there have been a lot of boaters on the lake ignoring the SNW zones I have to lasso the buoy and drag it back to it's proper location.

Being responsible for the boats wake is a major theme in my boat safety classes. Just suppose that you are the driver of the craft and you ignore the SNW buoy, there is a small child playing at the waters edge. Your wake knocks the child over and drowns. You could be in the next lake by the time your wake hit the shore and the child drowns but YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE!!! As the driver of the craft you must be aware of all laws, rules and regulations. SNW zones are not just by the markers. When a boat is anchored it becomes a buoy, no other craft should come within 100 feet of it unless they are recognizing the SNW law.

The most common violation is the misuse of the personal flotation device (PFD). A proper fit and accessible PFD is very important! You never know when an accident will happen. Most fatalities on the water are the result of drowning and 80% of those fatalities WERE NOT wearing their PFDs. I highly recommend wearing a life vest when on the water. There are so many different styles of PFDs now that it is so easy to find one for everyone. The inflatable PFDs are now Coast Guard Approved for swimmers and are available in vest styles. The personal flotation device must be the appropriate size for each individual and have enough buoyancy to keep them afloat. A lot of the popular life jackets are only good if you already know how to swim and you don't hit your head when entering the water. This is because there is equal flotation in the front and back of the jacket, the jacket is not smart enough to know which side your face is on. The old bulky orange vest is actually the best because they have more flotation on the front so they kick you on your back, face up into the air.

Weight distribution is important in all boats, but it is VITAL in small boats. Most people know they all shouldn't be on the same side of the boat since it might over-turn. When they are fishing and catch a "LUNKER", they have a tendency to forget this fact.

You must prepare for this situation in advance, practice by having the person with the rod go to the opposite side as the net person. This way you both don't end up in the water during all the excitement.

It is also very important to have a well stocked first-aid kit in the boat at all times. In my boating safety class I demonstrate how to take a hook out of an angler. DUCT TAPE is invaluable in the boat, if you don't have it, DON'T GO OUT, It is that important. If you punch a hole in your boat you can slap duct tape on it. You can also use it as a belt on your engine or to cover leaking hoses.

COMMON SENSE goes a long way when it comes to operating a boat. Common sense dictates slowing down in SNW zones, being alert and courteous. When operating a personal watercraft (PWC), common sense is very important also. The law states that a skier or someone on a PWC must be going SNW when they are with-in 100 feet of anything. This includes a large portion of our busy chain. So think about your situation, Slow down and don't "HOTDOG".

My personal wish is that all boaters enjoy the beautiful waters of the North Woods. Drinking alcoholic beverages and boating do not mix. Being out on the water wears you out especially in the hot sun. The glare of the sun on the water, the waves and all the activity makes your eyes very tired. Add alcohol and your alertness suffers. Drinking and boating is an accident waiting to happen. Using common sense and following the rules will make our waters a safe and enjoyable place for everyone. I also encourage everyone to take a litter bag with them to help keep our waters and shores clean.

Anyone interested in participating in a boating safety class or helping with the buoys may contact me at An Outdoors Experience Guided by Art (715)479-1758.

Release is the way to go!

Art

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