Boating and Water Safety

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Boating and Water Safety
Life on Whidbey Island requires knowledge of safe boating and water safety

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Great links to boating safety information:

U.S. Coast Guard, 13th District: 800-368-5647; www.uscg.mil/d13/default.htm.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: 206-220-7080; www.uscgaux.org
Washington State Boating Safety Officers Association: www.boatwashington.org.
Seattle Sail and Power Squadron: 206-789-1128; www.usps.org/localusps/seattle.
U.S. Power Squadrons: 800-367-8777; usps.org/

Do You Have The Required Safety Equipment Aboard Your Boat? Learn what the requirements are for Washington and avoid possible problems on the water. It may save your life or prevent you from receiving a ticket from law enforcement!

Water Safety We live on an island...surrounded by the ocean; but water safety goes beyond the ocean... learn about pool safety, beach safety and more using these links:

The American Red Cross; http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/healthtips/safetywater.html
National Safety Council; http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/drown.htm
LEARN TO SWIM

Facts

In our state, the intoxication limit for boaters is a .8 blood alcohol level, the same as it is for motorists. There also is a federal law enforced by the Coast Guard that prohibits boating under the influence. The blood alcohol limit is the same.
The Coast Guard says someone with a .1 level of intoxication is 10 times more likely to be killed in a boating accident than someone who has zero alcohol on board. Lack of boating experience also adds to a boater's stress level, which in turn accelerates the effects of the alcohol
Life Jackets increase the survivability of a person during a boating accident.
Booze & Boats don't mix; nearly 50% of boating accidents can be traced to alcohol impairment.
Drowning claims more than 4000 people (nationally) each year; most between the ages of 0-4.
When you drive a boat, YOU ARE IN COMMAND; learn more about the US Coast Guard's new campaign.
Recreational boating fatalities were down 6% from the previous year, continuing a 12-year downward trend. The 13 million registered boats in 2003 represent two million more registered boats on America’s waterways than 12 years ago... Keep up the good work!