Promoting Safe Boating Habits – Proper Prior Planning
As the weather warms in the Pacific Northwest, many boaters head to the water long before they’re
prepared. Many boaters, especially those who operate smaller boats (boats less than 21 feet in length)
go boating without knowing the safety risks or having essential equipment.
Washington state leads in recreational boating fatalities involving small boats. In 2015, there were a
total of 29 boating-related fatalities in Washington, with 14 of those being paddlecraft. Operator
inattention, capsizing, collision with another vessel and boating under the influence were the top
contributing factors.
Oregon experienced 16 fatalities in 2015. The leading causes of fatal accidents in 2015 were due to
alcohol and drugs, followed by operating in hazardous conditions and operator inexperience/error.
Washington
2015 Recreational Boating Accident and Fatality Data
Oregon
Accidents
• 108 reportable accidents 56 injuries
• 34 in lakes, 31 in rivers
• 67 did not have boating education
Fatalities
• 29 recreational boating fatalities
• 64 victims were not wearing life
jackets –of the 137 combined
accidents/fatalities
• 14 were in non-motorized boats
• 15 were in motorized boats
• Age range: 25-69
Accidents
• 67 reportable accidents + 2 Commercial
• 32 injuries beyond First Aid
• 10 did not have boating education (9
paddlers and 1 Personal Watercraft)
Fatalities
• 16 recreational boating fatalities
• 12 were not wearing life jackets
• 9 were in non-motorized boats
• 7 were in motorized boats
• 4 in rivers were wearing life jackets –one
entanglement, one hypothermia, one heart
attack, one trauma
• Average age: 46 (all 16 were males)
Be Prepared
Planning ahead and adequately preparing your boat and crew (family and friends) prior to departure is
critical. Take full advantage of the time you spend on the water by being prepared for any situations that
come up. Think ahead! Failure of the boat owner/operator to adequately plan and prepare for changes
in the weather can result in prolonged exposure to the elements while awaiting rescue. Here are several
important things to do prior to launching your boat:
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Check the weather (marine) weather. Tune into the NOAA weather channel for real-time
weather information. For access to the local forecast, wherever you are, download the NOAA
mobile app at mobile.weather.gov.
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Have two forms of communication designed for wet conditions that you can use. Make sure to
tune your VHF Channel 16, a necessary piece of equipment on the Columbia River, coastal bays,
the Sound and Pacific Ocean.
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File a float plan – you can get one for Washington and Oregon on each of their websites. For
Washington’s equipment preparation checklist and downloadable float plan, visit:
www.boatprepared.org
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Get a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) – your local marine law enforcement
officers and the U.S. Coast Guard Aux. offer free VSC in your area.
http://www.cgaux.org/vsc/
The USCG’s Boating Safety App is also a great tool to help you prepare.
You an get safety regulations, request a vessel safety check, check your safety equipment, find the
nearest NOAA buoy, report a hazard/pollution, request for emergency assistance and so much more.
Visit www.uscg.mil/mobile/
Cold Water Immersion
The first hot days of the year result in people flocking to rivers and
lakes when the water is still very cold.
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Water is below 60 degrees most of the year in both states
(Washington and Oregon).
Capsizing and swamping should be expected when
operating a paddlecraft, so dress appropriately for floatation
and warmth.
*Hypothermia used to be something that we all knew about when
we thought about the dangers of cold water. However, research has
shown that few people who fall into cold water actually reach a
hypothermic state.
If you fall into cold water: remember
survive an accidental fall into cold water.
. It’s the second most important thing to remember to
You have 1 minute to get your breathing under control. The initial cold shock will have you gasping
for air, breathing uncontrollably and probably panicking. Keeping afloat and breathing will be very
difficult but concentrate on just getting your breathing under control and you can expect gasping to pass
in about 1 minute. This is much faster, and easier, if you’re already wearing your life jacket.
During the first 10 minutes you will experience cold water incapacitation as your body pushes
blood to its core, in an attempt to preserve core temperature. This causes a loss of muscle coordination
in your limbs, cramping and quickly makes it impossible to self-rescue or even stay afloat.
After cold water incapacitation, hypothermia will begin to set in approximately
hour only if you are
wearing a life jacket. Life jackets increase your survival time in cold water. Without a life jacket, there is
nothing to hold your head above the water and will lead to drowning.
Educated Boaters are Safer
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Boaters who haven’t taken a boating safety course are 85% more likely to be involved in boating
accidents.
Washington law = all boaters between 12 and 59 operating a motorboat with 15 hp or greater
must carry a boater education card.
Oregon law = all boaters 12 and over operating a motorboat over 10 hp must carry a boater
education card.
The card is good for life. It’s not a license.
Courses are available online or in the classroom. Oregon and Washington offer equivalency
exams for experienced boaters.
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Life Jackets
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No matter what activity you’re involved in – always remember to wear a life jacket. Drowning is
the leading cause of death in nearly 3/4 of boating related fatalities and 84% of those who
drowned were not wearing life jackets.
Life jackets must be U.S. Coast Guard-approved, in serviceable condition, properly fit the person
wearing it, and is the appropriate life jacket for the activity.
Life jackets come in a variety of styles and sizes. They need to be snug enough and not rise to
the ears when the jacket is lifted from the shoulders - this is how the jacket will float the person
in the water. National Video “What to Look for in a Good Fit,” for children wearing life jackets.
https://kalkomey.wistia.com/medias/kjxtbvga0n.
All children 12 and under are required in OR to wear a life jacket when a boat is underway for all
boat lengths, and in WA, boats less than 19 feet in length, unless in a fully enclosed area.
Life jacket wear is the simplest strategy to stay safe while enjoying your favorite recreational
water activity. Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach and put on a stowed
life jacket.
Life jackets meant for adults do not work for children. If boating with children, make sure they
are wearing properly fitted, child-sized life jackets. Do not buy a life jacket for your child to
“grow into.”
There are life jacket loaner stations throughout WA state. Visit www.seattlechildrens.org/dp or
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=202693340322335123734.0004c5abb90ed2aabb52d
&msa=0 for a list of sites.
Based on observations of thousands of boaters in Washington state, when adults wear life
jackets, children and teens are significantly more likely to wear one.
Boating and Water Safety Tips
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Alcohol and Water Don’t Mix. Boat Safe, Boat Sober. Don’t consume alcohol and get near the
water. Marijuana and prescription drug use also impairs a boater’s judgement, coordination,
and balance, and boaters can be arrested and charged for BUI for failing field sobriety tests.
Be familiar with state boating laws and any local ordinances – OR and WA differ.
Keep a sharp lookout for debris, tree stumps, rocks, and other objects in the water.
Go slow when first heading out. For paddlers, scout the run ahead of time and plan where to put
in and take out.
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Safe Boating Campaigns
National Safe Boating Week and Wear IT!
The National Safe Boating Week (May 21-27) and the Wear It! Campaign are two campaigns that
promote the importance of wearing a life jacket. During this week and throughout boating season, a
network of states and partner organizations collaborate their efforts to educate the boating community
about life jackets using one consistent message.
Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day (May 20) & Wear It! World Record Day (May 21). Join the world in
the Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day, Friday, May 21, prior to Wear It! World Record Day, and the start
of National Safe Boating Week (May 21-27). The idea is to have participants wear a life jacket to work to
help show how easy it is to wear one, even while at work. Those that want to help break the life jacket
world record can do so simply by hosting a Wear It! event on Sat., May 21. For details, visit
www.wearitwashington.org. Those that participate in Wear It! to Work Day (May 20) or Wear It! World
Record Day (May 21) are encouraged to share their photos and email them to the Washington State
Parks at [email protected].
Operation Dry Water (June 24-26)
This is a Boating under the Influence of Intoxicants (BUI) awareness and enforcement campaign. The
goal is to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities through increased recreational
boater awareness and by fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.
For more information and to take the pledge to never boat under the influence, visit
www.operationdrywater.org/pledge.
Paddle Smart Identification Sticker is a national
effort under U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) District
management. This decal is intended to assist in
reducing USCG search and rescue costs when
encountering derelict and adrift paddle craft. Being
able to identify ownership reduces USCG’s costs for
conducting lengthy searches, expedites the USCG’s
ability to discover if an actual emergency situation
exists. They’re able to contact someone to find out if
someone is actually missing, and to provide quick
return of the vessel.
The National Weather Service offers online weather and river information useful for trip
planning at the following sites for the state of Washington:
www.weather.gov/seattle
www.weather.gov/spokane
www.weather.gov/portland
www.weather.gov/pendleton
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