People are the main part of boating safety

 Still, why are you standing in your boat with a warning ticket in your hand from a conservation officer? You argue that just because your kids took your throwable device out to splash around with and didn’t put it back; it’s not your fault. After all, has anyone ever seen a kid put anything back in its proper place?

 That hard-nosed conservation officer, deputy sheriff, or Coast Guard petty officer just wouldn’t cut you a break.

But, that warning ticket in your hand is your break; it’s telling you to step up and be responsible. You are the boat owner, the captain or skipper. You are responsible for everything on your boat before, during and after your trip and in this case, you didn’t check to see that all equipment was on your boat according to the law.

However, your boat and its equipment are only part of the boating safety equation.  There are many other questions that fall into various categories that you, as the responsible person, must ask yourself before heading out.

• Planning: Have you planned your trip?  You have seen to it that your vessel is seaworthy but what is your plan for your outing? Do you just jump in and go, and see what happens? If so, are you prepared for whatever may happen?

• Supervision: Are you, as skipper, aware and knowledgeable enough to return everyone safely to the dock after the trip? Are you strong enough to go against passenger pressure -no matter their age - when you know there is risk or danger and you may become unpopular? Do you know the lake and its hazards and take suggestions or ideas to avoid the hazards?   You have the proper fitting life jackets for all your passengers, but are you able to convince everyone to wear them when the boat is underway?  Have you ensured boat capacity is not exceeded?     

• The environment: This includes numerous factors such as present and future weather, wind strength and direction, air and water temperature. What is the weather going to be? This is Minnesota; we know change will happen regularly. Will high winds, spray or swamping become a factor? Air temperature too cold will cause hypothermia. Any water temperature below 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit will cause hypothermia; it’s just a matter of how long your exposure is. When the water temperature is less than 50 degrees F approximately one half hour in the water will cause black out. At 50-60 degrees F hypothermia in about one hour away.  Warmer waters greater than 60 degrees F, but less than body temperature, are still taxing and the first stages of hypothermia like shivering and blue lips are all too familiar. If you do go in the water and need assistance, how long before help arrives?

• Everyone’s personal fitness: This is not about you bench pressing 300 pounds. It’s about the state of everyone on the boat, your main helper, yourself. Diabetes, pacemakers, colds, clothing, hangovers, lack of sleep — all can take your mind off your trip.

• Your crew: If you are the only one of several on the boat who can steer, start the engine, bait a hook, take a fish off, speak up, recognize danger or summon assistance, then consider not going because even a spin around the lake at sunset becomes dangerous. If the least incident incapacitates you or distracts you, the whole boat and those aboard are in danger. If on the other hand, it’s you and your father-in-law who happens to hold a 100 ton Master license for open water, you’re probably in good shape.

• Complexity of the boat ride: Which is harder to do, take two fishermen in a boat or four including the big uncle who takes up two of the 150 pound person allocations on the capacity plate? Which is harder, making your own kids mind or making your sister’s little darlings settle down? Which is harder, going out for a short joy ride or out for all day to ski and swim?

Calculating the risks of a boating excursion is sometimes hard to do, but there is an actual method and it is called  “Green — Amber — Red” (or the GAR Model). This is a safe boating preparation guide practiced by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S.C.G. Auxiliary. There is no reason you cannot use this system for yourself as part of your pre-boat trip planning.

You rate each of the previously discussed topics on a scale of one to 10, 10 being worst. Add them up (after being honest in determining your numbers). Your score should be less than 20, green, for a safe trip. If not, find a solution for one of the topics to get the score under 20. A score of 20-40, amber, use extreme caution, even consider not going. Above 40 points, red, means great danger, definitely stay in and listen to the Twins game, even if they are losing. Over 40 — do anything except go on the water.

To learn more about the Green – Amber – Red safe boating preparation guide, contact your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at uscgaux9130@live.com.

Hill is involved in public education for the Northwest Minnesota Lakes Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.