Boating Safety

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there are nearly 14 million registered recreational boats in the United States. These boaters represent nearly 80 million Americans who engage in water recreation activities. With that many people enjoying our nations waterways, it is not surprising nearly 5,000 boating accidents leading to the medical treatment of 4,000 people were reported in 2008. Property damage from these accidents totaled more than $40 million. These are alarming and significant statistics, demonstrating the risk of injuries and accidents from recreational boating. Many of these accidents could have been reduced if boaters would simply adhere to some of the following safety recommendations.

First of all, with lower Lake Erie levels the last four years, always know the depth of the water you are navigating through. Avoid shallow waters, as well as waters with obstructions like trees, rocks and low bridges. Operate at a safe speed and slow down when entering and exiting unfamiliar waters. Always maintain a careful outlook. Overall, operator inattention, carelessness/reckless inexperience and excessive speed are significant contributing factors in nearly all reported accidents. Remember, flat bottomed boats can navigate shallow waters while v-hull boats cannot. Use your boat gps for navigating around shoals and other obstacles that you may not be able to see. Keep a clear distance from known submersion hazards so you don’t run aground. Be aware of changing conditions, especially rivers and harbors that can change daily with heavy rains, drought or harbor surges.

Always file a float plan with someone. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends you always tell a friend or family member exactly where you plan to go and when you plan to return. Follow the rules and take time to understand and obey boating safety recommendations and navigational rules. Know your own limits—you as a boat operator and your boat’s limitations.

Check the weather forecast regularly. A calm day on Lake Erie can quickly turn hazardous on the water. Stay aware of and heed all weather and storm advisories. Heavy rains can force debris such as dead trees, tree stumps and floating debris to break loose and move into travelled waterways. Deadheads (sinker logs) are a particularly serious hazard on Lake Erie with the weather we have experienced over the past several boating seasons.

Pay attention to the color of the water you are traversing. Lighter colored water often indicates a change in depth. The lighter water, the shallower. Some general rules to follow are water is usually deeper on the cliff side of lakes. Where slopes gradually run down to the water, it is usually shallow. Often, the point at which a river turns becomes a shallow area. Stay to the outside of a river’s bend. The inside of a bend is usually shallower than the outside of the river’s bend.

Like many of our Gordon Tower Insurance Agency clients who own boats that we insure, we are boaters too. Keeping you safe is our job and our priority. We take it seriously.

Call us today at 216/663-7777 so we can outfit you with the best and safest insurance coverage for your boat.