These boating safety tips from INAMAR are relevant for pontoon boaters and all boaters...
Recreational boating activity soars during warm weather months, and so do boating incidents and injuries. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s “Boating Statistics 2005,” the most recent year available, there are almost 13 million registered recreational boats in the United States. Overall boating fatalities continue to occur, with 697 recreational boating fatalities reported in 2005. Close to 5,000 boating accidents were reported, and more than 3,400 people required medical treatment beyond first aid. Property damage exceeded $38 million.
Though the statistics are sobering, the risk of boating injuries and accidents can be minimized. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the majority of reported incidents involved operator controllable factors and can be prevented. In recognition of the recent proclamation by the White House designating an annual National Safety Boating Week, the INAMAR Recreational Marine Insurance unit of ACE USA again has released its top ten list detailing tips to help recreational boaters stay safe, thus reducing the number of preventable accidents that occur each year.
INAMAR’s Top Ten Recreational Boating Safety Tips
1. Always wear a life jacket and insist that your crew and guests do the same. Approximately 70 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned in 2005. Ninety percent of those who drowned were not wearing their personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket. Always have an adequate supply of personal flotation devices aboard. Make sure that children are wearing life jackets that fit correctly. Drowning was the reported cause of death for approximately 60 percent of the children who perished in 2005. Overall, fatal accident data indicate approximately 491 lives could have been saved if boaters had worn their lifejackets.
2. Never drink alcohol while boating. In 2005, alcohol was either a direct or indirect contributing factor in 25 percent of all boating fatalities. Stay sharp on the water by leaving the alcohol on dry land.
read the rest of the boating safety article...
Technorati Tags:
pontoon boating safety, boating safety, boating safety tips
0 comments:
Post a Comment