With five weeks remaining in the summer season,the State’s Boating Program and the Black Diamond Police department are urging paddlesport enthusiasts to be sure they understand boating laws and the risks before they head out on the water, according to a press release by the Black Diamond Police Department.
According to a 2015 report from the Outdoor Foundation, paddlesport use has increased 14 percent between 2010 and 2014. The number of fatalities has also increased with the rise in popularity of canoes, kayaks, standup paddleboards and other small crafts.
Last year’s Recreational Boating Accident Report data shows 88 percent of boating fatalities happen in boats less than 18 feet long and almost half of those were in kayaks or canoes, the press release said.
“We encounter people unaware and unprepared. It is important to know and obey boating laws as well as understand the risk—they’ll keep you, your family and friends safer on the water,” Chief Jamey Kiblinger said. “Being out on the water is about having a good time, so why ruin it? Know before you go.”
The BDPD recommend the following to ensure paddlers are properly prepared for a safe outing on the water.
Wear a life jacket
State law requires all vessels out on the water to have at least one properly fitted U.S coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board.
The Boating Program encourages paddlers to not only bring a life jacket but to wear it every time they go out. Paddlers should be prepared to fall in the water at anytime. By wearing a life jacket, paddlers increase their chances of survival and have an easier time getting back into the boat if they fall off.
Life jackets are much more tailored to specific water activities now, which makes it easier to wear while out on the water according to what you are doing.
Take communication devices
According to the release, paddlers should carry two forms of communication that will work when wet, such as a sound producing device like a whistle, a waterproof cell phone or cellphone case or a marine radio. Having these forms of communication will greatly increase chances of being reached in case of an emergency.
Boaters are also encouraged to purchase, register and carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) which will instantly notify responders of their location when activated during a distress situation.
More information about the different kinds of communications for boating is on the state’s Boating Program fact sheet.
Get educated
The release also said paddlers should consider taking a course before heading out. These courses offer valuable paddle safety skills that could potentially save lives in an emergency.
Paddlecrafts are considered vessels, and paddlers should understand the legal “rules of the road” on shared waterways, according to the press release. Classes are taught by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, through local clubs and outfitters, city and county parks and recreation departments and for free online.
File a float plan
Filing a float plan can be as simple as writing down a plan for a voyage and leaving it with a friend or family member. Information should include the route planned, where the boat embarked from, where it will return to and estimated return time. The Coast Guard has a mobile app for filing an electronic float plan, which can be downloaded from the Apple app store or Google Play.
In addition to these recommendations, paddlers are encouraged to include a waterproof sticker or label on their paddle craft that includes the owner’s name, phone number, address and an emergency contact.
If someone witnesses a paddle craft-related accident, they should call 911 right away and report the nature of distress, number of persons or vessels involved, provide a GPS location or detailed description of the location, and remain on scene to relay pertinent information or updates as they occur.
