Volusia County, FL-Boating is always in season in Florida but the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants boaters to pay particular attention to safety during National Safe Boating Week which runs from May 21–27.
Chad Weber is the FWC Public Information Officer for the Northeast Region. He said that he cannot stress enough the importance of life jackets. More than 64 percent of the 55 boating-related deaths confirmed last year were attributed to drowning, which life jackets are designed to prevent. It is the law to have a life jacket for every person on the boat and children under the age of six are required to have a life jacket on when on a boat.
Weber said there are many safety precautions that are common sense and you should stay alert to everything going on around you. Another issue is DUI. FWC has zero tolerance when it comes to impaired driving and you should have a designated driver. Weber said boaters that are drinking or using drugs on the water could face criminal charges.
Another suggestion is to make sure you tell someone where you are headed and what time you expect to be back. Weber said this information is important in the event of something happening. The search will be a lot easier and quicker if someone has an idea of where to start looking.
Boating education is critical. In 2015, 72 percent of boat operators involved in fatal accidents had no formal boater education. Weber said boating safety classes are free.
Everything you want or need to know about being on the water and boating safety can be found by following this link.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2016.
