Dangers Exist While Boating On Lakes

As hopes of finding three missing boaters waned Tuesday after a Saturday boating accident 45 miles off of the Clearwater coast, it brought to the forefront the importance for boaters to follow simple safety procedures.

Thus far only one man was found alive.

"There are messages out there," said Gary Morse, public information officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "If you're going onto any body of water, weather needs to be considered.

"I've been on Tampa Bay when the prediction was for 10 to 15 knots; it blew 50. Forecasting the weather is not an exact science. With an approaching cold front venturing from shore is a bit risky. Consider, if you do get into trouble people may put their lives at risk to rescue you."

Even on small lakes or larger ones if you have a small boat with small freeboard (distance between water and the rail) some are only designed for creeks and small ponds.

"If the weather whips up you could be in serious trouble, especially in the wintertime when the water temperatures are cold," he said. "You need to take into consideration your equipment, your level of expertise and the weather.

As storms approach, lakes such as Lake Jackson or Istokpoga can develop three to four-foot waves. Lake Okeechobee has been known to have waves six or seven feet high, he said.

Even the wake from other vessels can endanger smaller boats.

"Make sure you have the appropriate vessel for the body of water you're on," Morse said.

Hypothermia can set in if the vessel you're in should capsize. Once it does, people become weaker, disoriented and unable to make logical decisions.

How quickly it sets in depends on several factors: water temperature, time in the water, physical conditioning, stresses involved in the circumstances of getting into the water, what people are wearing and weather conditions, he said.

"These are all factors that could endanger your life," he said.

Most boats will float if they sink or capsize. And if you do capsize, stay with the boat.

"Do not attempt to swim toward the shore," he said.

"There's no excuse for not wearing a life jacket," he added.

The way they're made now, they are very comfortable. They also make self-inflating life vests that inflate when they come in contact with the water, Morse said.

"Fishermen can move around in them with relative ease," he said.

With well over a million vessels registered in the state, Florida led the nation in the number of vessels and therefore, combined with its mild climate, had the highest number of boating fatalities annually, according to myfwc.com.

There were 77 boating fatalities reported in Florida in 2007. Up from 68 in 2006, but down from 80 in 2005. Twelve of the deaths reported in 2007 happened in March. Twenty-six were people who fell overboard.

"The vast size of our inland, coastal and offshore patrol areas - combined with a growing population of avid boaters - presents a unique and daunting challenge for FWC and our local and federal maritime enforcement partners," the Web site stated.

So go prepared for the worst possible scenario, said Morse.

Make sure your equipment is in good working order, he said. Be prepared for unpredicted events, make sure anchor lines are long enough, make sure the bilge pump is working or that you have something to bail water with. Have new batteries and life jackets should be worn and never be stored where you can't get at them. They need to be maintained.

"I deal with so many boating accidents and too many are tragic," said Morse. "And almost all of them could have been prevented."

Eighty-five percent of the boating accidents involving fatalities happened to operators with no boater's education. Information on obtaining boater's education can be found at: http://myfwc.com/CALENDAR/Calendar_BoatingClasses.htm .

FAST FACTS

There were 77 boating fatalities reported in Florida in 2007. Up from 68 in 2006, but down from 80 in 2005. Twelve of the deaths reported in 2007 happened in March. Twenty-six were people who fell overboard.