With the aim of saving lives, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Canadian Safe Boating Council, the National Safe Boating Council, Power Squadron and other marine safety organizations, celebrate National Safe Boating Week each May. (This year it is May 19-25.) The event is the high point of a year-round North American Safe Boating Campaign.   Its purpose is to get the boating public to think safety and to reduce the toll of death and injuries on our waterways by being responsible and always wearing lifejackets.

While boating, wearing a lifejacket is perhaps your single, most important responsibility for both you and your passengers. In 2010, according to the most recent Coast Guard statistics, 484 boaters drowned.  Of these, 87% were not wearing a life jacket.  You have to wonder how many of the 395 boaters without life jackets would be alive today if they had them on at the time of the accident.

Why didn’t those boaters wear their life jackets?  Past reasons for not wearing a life jacket are simply not true for today’s personal flotation devices.  Today’s jackets are no longer the hot and bulky vests once associated with water safety gear. Now there are many attractive styles and colors to choose from, including infants’ wearable and the newest inflatable’s. There is simply no excuse for not wearing a life jacket aboard a pleasure craft. 

Federal regulations for recreational boats state that life jackets must be Coast Guard approved, in good and serviceable condition and of appropriate size for the intended wearer.  One size does not fit all!   Recreational boats must carry one Type I, II, III, IV or V personal flotation device for each person aboard and if the boat is 16 feet or larger it must have one Type IV throw able.  If you are uncertain as to what type you should have aboard your boat, a brief description of each type is as follows:

TYPE I: Offshore Life Jacket

These PFDs provide the most buoyancy. It is effective for all waters, especially open, rough or remote waters where rescue may be delayed. They are designed to turn most unconscious wearers to a face-up position.

TYPE II: Near-Shore Vest

These vests are intended for calm, inland water or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. This type will turn some unconscious wearers to a face-up position, but will not turn as many persons to a face up position as a Type I.

TYPE III: Flotation Aid

These vests are good for calm, inland water, or where there is a good chance of quick rescue. They are designed so wearers can place themselves in a face-up position. The wearer may have to tilt their head back to avoid turning face down in the water. It is generally the most comfortable type for continuous wear.

TYPE N: Throwable Device

These cushions or ring buoys are intended for calm, inland water where help is always present. They are not designed to be worn, but to be thrown to a person in the water and held by the victim until rescued.

TYPE V: Special-Use Device

These PFDs are intended for specific activities and may be carried instead of another PFD only if used according to the label. Some Type V devices provide significant hypothermia protection. Type V PFDs must be used in accordance with their label to be acceptable.

No matter what type of PFD you have if it is stowed in an inaccessible compartment it does little good when the unexpected happens, and suddenly the boater is in the water.  The best life jacket or other personal flotation device is the one that is already being worn. Wearing a personal flotation device is a must for children, and in most states, it’s the law. In Alabama, any child 7 years or younger must wear a life jacket.

An important feature of National Safe Boating Week is the safety of our children on our waterways.  This year the Orange Beach Flotilla taught a Boating Safely Class at Summerdale Elementary.  While the class covered many aspects of Boating Safely it emphasized the importance of wearing of Life Jackets. 

Today, over 13 million boats traverse our waterways, yet 65% of the boaters have never taken a boating safety course, according to Coast Guard statistics.  Public boater education is emphasized during the campaign because boating education saves lives and property.  The Auxiliary, the Power Squadrons and other boating organizations offer the basic America’s Boating Course to the more advanced navigation and GPS courses.  If interested in a Boating Course you can go to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Orange Beach Web page (a0810310.uscgaux.info) or contact John Griggs at 251-955-1443.

Recreational boating is one of our nation’s most popular sports.  Safe boating is smart boating when the vessel operator complies with federal and state regulations.  During National Safe Boating Week and throughout the boating season, smart boaters get vessel safety checks, take boating safety classes, and stay sober on the water and, above all, “Wear It!”