WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org
Summer is fast approaching which for most area residents means lots of fun in and on the water.
But before Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start date of summer, rolls in, there is National Safe Boating Week, May 18 – 24. Purposefully scheduled just prior to the big weekend, boaters are encouraged to arrange for a through inspection of their boat prior to taking it out on the water for the boating season.
To help boaters prepare, WKTV will be airing the United States Power Squadrons National Safe Boating Test Wednesday, May 22, at 4 p.m.; Friday, May 24, at noon; and Saturday, May 25, at 5 p.m.
It is estimated that there are 80 million recreational boaters n America engaged in all sorts of activities from paddling to cruising, from fishing to sailing. Yet many states do not require certification of any kind to operate a recreational boat. In the state of Michigan, if you were born on or before July 1, 1996, you do not need any certification. A person born on June 30, 1996 or after does. For more on the boating safety certificate, visit the Department of Natural Resources website.
Even if you don’t need a certificate, it is always good to brush up on your boating safety. Through the USPS National Safe Boating Test, you can test your boating knowledge. The program features 27 questions on a wide range of boating topics including Homeland Security, Rules of the Road, Aids to Navigation, Carbon Monoxide, and Small Boat Safety. There are real life scenarios and viewers will be able to answer questions about what to do in those situations.
According to the latest report from the U.S. Coast Guard, the number of recreational boating accidents in the state increased from 92 in 2013 to 125 in 2016 and deaths increased from 21 in 2012 to 38 in 2016. An increase in boating accidents has been credited to the rise in paddle sport vessels with there being more than 600,000 such vessels in the state, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Being aware of your surroundings and speed are two key factors in boating safety. The National Safe Boating Council promotes that anyone on the water should wear a life jacket. On its website, it showcases the various life jackets available for all types of water activities from paddling to recreational boating.
The United State Power Squadrons, which along with the U.S. Coast Guard, produced the USPS National Safe Boating Test video, offers boating courses and other public courses and seminar to help make boating a safer and more enjoyable activity. USPS was organized in 1914, and has grown to become America’s largest boating education organization with about 50,000 volunteer members in more than 450 local squadrons. For more information, call 888-FOR-USPS or visit www.usps.org.
