By Kara Kimbrough, LL-C Correspondent
As the weather heats up and the Fourth of July weekend beckons, many people are heading to the beaches, lakes and ponds around south Mississippi for a little relief from soaring summer heat.
But as cool and refreshing as the water looks, boaters and those engaging in water sports like riding a personal water craft or jet ski, skiing or swimming in unfamiliar water must use caution and common sense to stay safe, say experts with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
“Over 192,000 water vessels are registered in the state of Mississippi and a great majority of those will be on the water during the Fourth of July weekend,” said Calvin Fulton, administrator of hunting and boating safety. “While everyone is simply looking to have some fun on the water, it’s important to remember even the most innocent-looking lake, stream or pond can pose dangers.”
Common boating accidents are collisions with another boat or an object in the water, fire or explosion onboard a boat or passengers falling overboard. Fulton said more boating accidents and other incidents involving swimmers and passengers on jet skis typically occur during the upcoming holiday than at any other time of the year. This is due to more Mississippians utilizing their watercraft or planning water-related outings near the Fourth of July when the weather is warm and most people have the day off from work, he said.
However, accidents would decrease if boaters followed the department’s tips for safety and more important, state laws, he said.
“To operate a vessel legally, anyone born after June 30, 1980, must have passed a boating education course approved by the DWFP,” Fulton said. “Also, any passenger younger than 12 years old must be accompanied on board by someone who is at least 21 years old. Those are the first rules that makes every boat safer.”
Next comes the required equipment, also mandated by state law, Fulton said.
“All vessels must carry one wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device, or life jacket for each person on board,” Fulton said. “Besides being U.S. Coast Guard approved, all PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition, readily accessible, meaning they are able to put them on quickly in an emergency and be the right size for the intended wearer.”
Fulton added that all children 12 years old and younger must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III PFD whenever underway in a vessel less than 26 feet in length.
Besides the wearable flotation devices, vessels 16 feet in length or longer must have one U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type IV PFD, such as a throwable cushion, on board and readily accessible, Fulton said. Also, each person riding on or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III PFD.
“These are also valuable regulations and ones that prevent major catastrophes on the water,” Fulton said. “Statistics show most boat-related drownings happen to people who can swim but aren’t wearing life vests.”
Another unfortunate but true statistic is that 25 percent of all boating accidents in Mississippi are alcohol-related, Fulton said.
“Just as there are DUI laws for those driving a motor vehicle under the influence, similar BUI, or boating under the influence laws are strictly enforced,” Fulton said. “The law prohibits anyone from operating a boat with a motor of 25 horsepower or greater while intoxicated due to alcohol or drugs. If a boat operator has an alcohol content of .01 or greater, this is grounds for a BUI. And anyone who is found to have less than .01 while driving will be charged with reckless driving. The basic rule is, ‘don’t drink and drive,’ just as it is while on the road.”
Fulton offered one last word of caution to those planning a Fourth of July holiday on the water: “Don’t drink.”
“Alcohol and water don’t mix,” Fulton said. “Drinking while on the water poses one of the greatest dangers to those swimming or boating. And most especially, never drink alcohol while supervising children.”
For more tips on boat and water safety, view the DWFP web site or call the department at (601) 432-2400.
Boating Tips
The DWFP and U. S. Coast Guard offer these additional boating tips to help make it a safer summer on the water:
• Equip your vessel with a Type B fire extinguisher and make sure the engine is fully charged
• Make sure your boat’s running lights are working before setting out to watch fireworks or boat after sunset
• Keep an eye on weather conditions. Summer storms can gather quickly and without warning. Allow time to get back to shore and off the boat before a storm hits.
• Make sure you have the required number of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and check that they are in good condition.
• Leave a float plan with a reliable friend or relative.
• Don’t swim from a boat anchored in deep water without a life vest, even if a good swimmer
• Avoid becoming distracted with a cell phone and watch children the entire time they are near water. Drowning is often silent, quick, and can happen when help is nearby
• Don’t rely on plastic arm “water wings,” inner tubes or water toys to save a child’s life while swimming; they may deflate or slip off. Use the Coast Guard-approved PFD.
