FWC reminds boaters to boat smart, safely
5-16-12
Because Memorial Day weekend, which kicks off summer activities, is right around the corner, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds all boaters in Florida to rededicate themselves to boating safely.
“Florida is a great place to enjoy boating year-round,” said Col. Jim Brown, director of the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. “That weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer and means even more people will be out on the water. National Safe Boating Week (May 19-25) also presents an opportunity to emphasize the importance of remaining safe while boating.”
Memorial Day weekend is May 26-28.
The safe-boating effort is timely, as 10 people have already lost their lives this year due to boating accidents.
“We want to reach out to as many boaters as we can to help them understand that most boating accidents are preventable,” Brown said. “FWC officers are committed to keeping people as safe as possible, but we need your help.”
The FWC reminds boaters to enjoy their time on the water by remembering a few safety precautions, such as remaining alert while operating a boat, wearing a life jacket at all times and designating a sober boat operator.
According to the FWC, inattentiveness of the operator often contributes to boating accidents, and statistics show that more than 64 percent of the 66 boating-related deaths confirmed last year were attributed to drowning.
The wide variety of comfortable, affordable and stylish life jackets on the market today offers all boaters the protection they need.
“Boating smart and safely could result in fewer injuries and deaths each year,” Brown said.
More information can be found by visiting MyFWC.com/Boating.
So you should stay relatively sober, alert, and wear a life jacket. That might be good advice for just navigating around town. Don’t forget your seat belt. Those lawmakers are really looking out for us. They do not want us to get hurt. And 64% of deaths from boating are from drowning. How much did this study cost? Hire an out of state consulting team to come up with the figures and recommendations? But, hey, not to worry. Last time I looked you more likely to die from cracking your head on a rock than you were from drowning. Since there is barely enough water in the river to launch a boat, and Water Management has cabled off access to bank fishing on the Suwannee to give free reign to the ecoterrorist Florida Trails Association, (all 20 of them) soon the only place you will have the luxury of drowning is if you are drunk and slip in the shower.
Yup, the peasant remembers J. O. Brown who was the Regional Manager for the Game and Fish commission in Lakeland back in the 60′s. He was a good friend. Wonder if this feller is his son? If he is he really ought to contact me cause I could tell him some interesting stories. Anyway, it is really important to take safety gear. You can die out there.
But. would you believe when i was a little boy my daddy took me an my brother out of site of land in the gulf back in the 50′s in a 14 ft boat with a 5 hp wizard motor? We did not have good weather forecasts in those days. Folks have always taken risks. But these days it can cost you more than your life. These guys will take you to court and take your boat, motor, and life. Big brother is everywhere!