Simple Measures Can Keep Your Time on the Water Fun and Safe
There are basic rules for boating: Pay attention, be safe and courteous, and watch your boat’s wake.
Inattention, inexperience, reckless boating, and alcohol use are among the top causes of boat accidents on Alabama’s waterways, says Senior Trooper Cody Farrar with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
State law requires safety equipment such as navigational lights, life jackets, throwable personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, and emergency cut-off switches, but many boating mistakes can be avoided with planning, Farrar says.
Before you head out, make sure all the necessary gear is on board and the instruments are working properly. Let someone know where you are going, where you will be launching from if you will be heading up or down the river, and how long you plan to be on the water. Farrar suggests boaters leave a written plan visible on their vehicle dashboard. Also, know where to seek shelter along your route should the weather turn bad.
ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division offers boating safety courses in the spring and fall. Visit the Marine Patrol page for locations and dates.
“If everybody would get out and have a great time but also have their proper safety equipment and have a designated driver and just be aware of other boaters out on the water, we will have fewer crashes and fewer fatalities every year,” Farrar says. “That is our goal.”
License: You can get a boating license at 14 years old. 12 and 13-year-olds with a vessel learner license can operate a boat while a licensed boater over 21 is able to take control of the boat’s operation.
Life jackets: There should be a life jacket for each person on a boat. Vessels 16 feet or longer must also have a throwable personal flotation device on board. Life jackets must be worn by children under age 8 and anyone being towed by a boat, such as on skis or tubes. Same for anyone operating, riding, or being towed by a personal watercraft as well as anyone less than 800 feet below a hydroelectric dam.
Supplies: Take water to stay hydrated. Make sure you have a fully charged cellphone with you. Invest in a marine radio. A flashlight is handy at night if your navigational lights go out. Keep a whistle or horn on board to summon help.
Awareness: Watch your speed. Every waterway is different, and you might not see obstructions such as logs under the surface. Watch for other boaters, swimmers, and even the sun’s glare. If the sun is behind you, others may not be able to see you.
Designated driver: It is illegal to operate a boat with more than a 0.08% blood alcohol concentration. Choose a designated operator before you head out, Farrar says.
Paddlers: Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats are considered vessels, and life jackets are required to be on board for such boaters. Flashlights are required for those paddlers planning to be on the water after sunset.