Boating Safety Tips For Memorial Day Weekend In Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD — As the coronavirus pandemic wears on in Maryland, many here and in other parts of the United States are hoping to put an end to a long winter and spring by spending Memorial Day weekend on the water in their newly purchased boats.

Hundreds of thousands of people in the United States have become first-time boat owners during the pandemic, the Water Sports Foundation recently said in a news release. Many will likely hit the Chesapeake Bay in the coming days.

Also, it’s because of the surge in new boat owners that the Water Sports Foundation and other organizations are taking extra steps to make sure safety is top of mind this year.

About 70 percent of boating deaths occurred on boats where the operator had no safety instruction, according to 2019 statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard. Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and alcohol use ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in crashes.

Boating accidents were up last year, and deadly collisions grew by 24 percent. June through August also saw the highest on-water death rates in 23 years.

"Memorial Day weekend is considered by many as the unofficial start to the recreational boating season," the Coast Guard said in a press release promoting National Safe Boating Week, which ends Saturday. "As boaters take to the water, there is an increased likelihood for search and rescue situations, mechanical failures and accidents."

Before you head out on the boat this Memorial Day weekend, here are some sound safety tips from the Water Sports Foundation to help keep you and your family safe on the water:

1. Take a boating safety education course.

Before launching your boat, be sure you are confident and comfortable at the helm, the foundation says.

There are many live, virtual and hybrid boating safety education classes available through the U.S. Coast Guard and a number of private boating education providers. For a list of educational resources, check out the National Boating Safety Media Resource Center.

Related: Everything You Need For An Amazing Memorial Day Weekend

2. Wear a life jacket.

Drowning is responsible for 79 percent of fatal boating accidents where the cause of death was known, according to the Water Sports Foundation. About 86 percent of those victims were not wearing life jackets.

Be sure you have life jackets for all passengers on board and that they are sized to fit.

3. Do not drink and drive.

This one should go without saying, but we will say it anyway. Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, according to U.S. Coast Guard data. Skip the alcohol or, at the very least, designate a “Sober Skipper.”

4. Invest in an emergency engine cutoff switch.

As of April 1, 2021, a federal law was passed that requires the use of an engine cutoff switch, or ECOS, an onboard safety device that is connected to the boat’s captain. Should the driver fall out of the boat, the ECOS will immediately stop the boat’s engine. Learn more about the $20 device.

5. File a float plan.

Before you leave the dock, tell friends, family or staff at the marina the names of all aboard, including contact information cell phone numbers. Be sure to include a planned itinerary complete with your destination, stops along the route and your estimated return time.

6. Watch the weather.

Know the forecast before you head out. Be sure to download a weather app on your phone and keep tabs on it regularly. If the weather turns severe, do not stay on the water — find shelter as soon as possible.

7. Communicate with passengers.

Should everyone remain seated while the boat is moving? Tell your passengers this before you leave the dock. Should everyone be wearing a life jacket? Communicate this, too. Set expectations and make the rules clear before you start the boat’s motor.

8. Comply with capacity limits.

If your boat can only hold six passengers, do not invite a seventh. If it has a weight limit, be sure to take coolers, gear, water toys and other cargo into account. If you overload your boat, you increase the risk of it capsizing.

9. Pay attention to your surroundings.

Just like when you drive on the freeway, you should keep an eye on other boaters at all times.

10. Choose destinations wisely.

If you’re new to boating, you might want to avoid setting sail on one of the busiest boating weekends of the year. However, if you insist on spending Memorial Day weekend on the water, head for less-crowded areas and avoid popular beaches and congested venues.

11. Follow posted speed limits and no-wake zones.

These are implemented with safety in mind. Disregarding them is also a quick way to incur a fine.

12. Be especially careful when boating at night.

Boating at night can add additional danger to your holiday festivities. If you plan to be out on the water past sunset, make sure all your navigation and running lights are operational. Again, avoid drinking alcohol — it can further impair your senses and visibility.

13. Follow These Bonus Tips.

The Coast Guard offered this advice:

• Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while underway. 80% of boating deaths are due to drowning and 86% of those victims were not wearing a life jacket. People don’t typically have time to locate and don a life jacket during an actual emergency.
• Make sure your life jacket is properly fitted. People can slip out of ill-fitting life jackets when they hit the water, which immediately decreases their chances of survival.
• Don’t drink and boat. Aside from wearing a life jacket, not drinking and boating is one of the easiest ways to prevent accidental deaths on the water. People operating vessels under the influence of alcohol, drugs or impairing medication pose a serious threat to you and anyone else aboard. Don’t let your child ride in a boat operated by someone under the influence.
• Make a VHF radio your go-to means of communicating in an emergency. Cell phones may go out of range or lose battery power when needed most. Make sure you familiarize yourself with how to use it.
• Get a vessel safety check. The Coast Guard Auxiliary provides free boating safety checks. Get a free safety inspection from the Coast Guard Auxiliary to make sure you have all the gear and safety equipment required by your state and federal laws. Click here to find one near you.
• Take a boating safety course. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is one of many organizations that offer valuable boating safety courses ranging from electronic navigation to boat handling. Click here to register for a boating safety course.
• Know your navigation rules. Know how to properly navigate waterways and maintain lookouts to keep yourself and everyone else around you safe.
• Locator beacons can help us find you faster. Attaching a functioning EPIRB to your boat, or a PPIRB to your life jacket, and knowing how to use them can help rescuers find and help you.
• File a float plan.Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Float plans provide a starting point to help find you if something happens.
• Check out the Coast Guard Boating Safety app. You can file a float plan, request assistance, request a vessel safety check, and report pollution and hazards to navigation.
• Look at the weather and tides before you head out. It might look like a nice day, but squalls and shifting tides can change suddenly.
• Dress for the water, not for the weather. Check water temperatures before you go out and dress accordingly.

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Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.