Top 10 Times When You Should Absolutely, Positively Wear a Life Jacket

Statistically speaking, boating is one of the safest outdoor activities, but because the participants are surrounded by water, there is always the possibility someone can end up in it. The Sea Tow Foundation and U.S. Coast Guard recommend boaters wear life jackets at all times, because you can never predict when you’ll need them. If you don’t have enough for everyone on board, the Sea Tow Foundation has established a nationwide Life Jacket Loaner Program with over 750 loaner stations where life jackets are available to be borrowed and returned at no charge to help keep boaters safe.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s most recent Recreational Boating Statistics report, where the cause of death was known, 79% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.  This means that your odds are nearly 9 out of 10 that a life jacket will save your life, so it is important to know when it should be worn.And we have the top 10 times when it should definitely be worn.

1. When it is the Law

Each state and territory within the U.S. determines the age requirements for wearing life jackets, therefore it is important to so check resources like the Sea Tow Foundation’s blog post on the topic that lists each state’s regulations. When operating in federal waters, the Coast Guard requires children under 13 to wear a properly fitting life jacket whenever a boat is underway unless the children are in a cabin.

2. When the Boat is Moving

According to recent statistics, 78 percent of boats involved in accidents are moving, a good starting point would be to ask guests to wear life jackets whenever the boat is at cruising speed. Accidents can cause the boat’s occupants to fall into the water and those not wearing jackets are at a much greater risk of drowning.  

3. When on a Small Boat

Most drownings occurred on boats that were less than 16 feet long, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics. These boats are typically less stable and are more affected by wind, waves and other boat’s wakes. Many state regulations mandate the use of life jackets when operating small vessels like personal watercraft and canoes, but even if it’s not required, it makes good sense to wear them.     

4. When Boating in Rough Water

Experienced boaters know the wind and waves can kick up suddenly, especially if a storm is on the way. During these times, it’s especially important to wear life jackets. Though rare, if a boat becomes swamped or capsizes, those who are wearing jackets are far safer. This also holds true whenever boating in whitewater conditions.

5. When Boating in Cold Water

Boaters who end up in cold water are subject to greater danger than when in warm water. First, cold water shock immediately takes effect which causes a person to hyperventilate and, in some cases, panic. This goes away within the first few minutes, but motor function can quickly be lost making putting on a life jacket nearly impossible, causing a victim to drown long before hypothermia sets in. Wearing a life jacket is a good idea and is the law in many states during cold weather months. Just remember that the water can be cold even if the air temperature is warm, so be sure to dress for the water temperature in case you fall in.

6. When the Driver of a Boat is New to the Sport

When a new boater is learning how to operate the boat, they may perform maneuvers that are not as smooth as someone who has had a lot of practice. This isn’t much different than when a new driver learns how to drive a car, but the biggest different is that boats don’t have brakes or turn signals. The jerky movements of the boat could cause someone in the boat to be thrown overboard unexpectedly and it is better to have the life jacket on while they are learning.

7. When the Person Can’t Swim or is a Weak Swimmer

If a person onboard a boat can’t swim or is a poor swimmer, they should definitely wear a life jacket at all times. There is no guarantee that someone will see them fall overboard and be able to throw something to them or be able to go after them in an emergency.

8. When Participating in Watersports

In most states, the law requires the use of life jackets when engaged in watersports like skiing, tubing and wake surfing. Just make sure that the life jackets are designed for impact and supposed to be used in these types of activities. This means that inflatable life jackets are not approved for these activities.

9. When Moving Fast

You’ll never see a professional boat racer hurtling down a waterway at 70 mph+ without wearing a life jacket. High speeds make a vessel less stable and more prone to adversely reacting to waves which increases the chance of the boat flipping. Physical injury during a mishap at high speed could render the boater unconscious or unable to swim. Be like the pros and always wear a life jacket when going fast.

10. When Boating Alone or At Night
    
    Operating a boat along presents its own set of challenges. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, many mishaps that send a person overboard occur while the person is performing a task like setting an anchor, throwing a net or catching a fish. And if the person is the only one on board, there's no one else there to provide reboarding assistance. This is especially hazardous if the boat is moving like when trolling for fish. And nighttime operation has another set of challenges in being unable to see submerged objects or other hazards in the water. A good idea for solo boaters and/or nighttime boaters is to employ a wireless engine cut-off switch that will comply with the newly enacted federal law while allowing the wearer to still move freely around the boat. And to always have a life jacket on at all times.
    
    

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Remember, life jackets save lives, but only if you are wearing them. Can you think of any other time that a boater should definitely be wearing a life jacket? Tell us in the comments.

If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.

The Sea Tow Foundation Prepares to Celebrate National Safe Boating Week

National Safe Boating Week is a focused, week-long event that brings awareness to the importance of boating safety prior to the start of the summer boating season. This year, National Safe Boating Week will be celebrated from May 22-28.

Each day that week, the Sea Tow Foundation will post a new boating safety tip to their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and a blog post will be shared right here at www.boatingsafety.com/blog.

 A complete Resource Kit is available to download containing all of the images, social media posts and blog posts and the custom images are available to download from Dropbox. A preview of the resource kit and the Sea Tow Foundation plans can be found in the video below.

The Sea Tow Foundation hopes our friends and partners will join us in sharing the boating safety message during National Safe Boating Week!

Sea Tow Foundation’s DIY Craft Time: Nautical Wall Art with Toilet Paper Rolls

There is one thing that everyone has – toilet paper. While there may have been some shortages and difficulty in finding this commodity last spring at the beginning of the pandemic, these items are back in stock now. You may need to wait a few months to collect enough empty rolls to do this project, but you can bookmark it and come back when you’re ready. In this month’s craft project, we’ll be making some nautical wall art using toilet paper rolls.

Materials to Make Nautical Wall Art with Toilet Paper Rolls:

• Toilet Paper Rolls
• School Glue
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Clothespins or binder clips
• Paper to cover table
• Spray paint
• Large piece of cardboard (not shown)

Directions for How to Make the Nautical Wall Art with Toilet Paper Rolls :

1. Flatten each of the toilet paper rolls and cut them into 4 equal parts about 1 inch wide using scissors. You don’t need to be exact in your measurements, but you can use the ruler if you really want to.
   
   

   

2. Place the cut rolls onto a flat surface and create a pattern that you like. We decided to create an anchor design. This may take some time as you move the rolls around and experiment with different layouts.

    

3. Glue the rolls together wherever they are touching and hold the rolls together with a clothespin or binder clip until the glue has dried. You may need to do this in shifts if you don’t have enough clothespins or binder clips for all of the spots.

   

    

4. Allow the glue to dry for a few hours before removing the clips. Check connections to ensure that everything stayed together and, if necessary, apply more glue.

    

5. Take the final glued piece outside and lay on a large piece of cardboard. Apply the spray paint evenly across the entire surface. You will need to turn it over and spray both sides once the first side has dried and it is possible that you will need to apply a second coat.

   

    

6. Hang your nautical wall art for all to see!

Congratulations on making Nautical Wall Art with Toilet Paper Rolls! Share your creations with us on Facebook and Instagram by tagging @SeaTowFoundation and using the #DIYNauticalCraftTime

If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.

The Sea Tow Foundation has created a monthly nautical craft to help bring those boating memories home. These crafts are easy for anyone to make and require limited tools and materials. In fact, all of the tools and materials are available at online retailers, or at a local craft store if you don’t already have the items lying around your house. Younger children may need the help of an adult for some portions of the craft project, but they can help with most of the personalization of the crafts. And many of these crafts make great homemade gifts or home décor.

Interview with MarineMax– Winner of the 2020 National Boating Industry Safety Awards

Video Blog

MarineMax won the 2020 National Boating Industry Safety Awards in the Large Marine Retailer Category. Given that the presentation of the award was done virtually at the MRAA’s Dealers Week, we decided to sit down to talk with Abbey Heimensen to find out a little more about their award-winning entry and plans for 2021.

MarineMax has developed a number of boating safety programs to help get the entire family involved in boating. Their “Women on Water” class is solely for ladies to be able to take the helm to learn and build confidence on the water. And, the “Intro to Boating” classes are great for new boaters including children, but there are also advanced boating education classes focused on charting, plotting, technology and other topics that boaters want to know.

You can find out more about MarineMax at www.marinemax.com.

Check out their video interview below.

What Paperwork Do You Need on Your Boat and How Do You Keep it Dry?

Whether you are out on your boat to relax, fish, or have dinner with your family, an evening on the boat is a time to enjoy. The lights reflecting on the water, the cool breeze in your hair, and a state official kindly requesting to see your documentation. OK ... perhaps the latter experience would not be a special addition to your evening, but it can quickly sink your plans if you don’t have the proper paperwork stored alongside your swimsuits and towels. Unlike these items, you also need your documents to be dry.

To avoid having your long-anticipated boating adventures interrupted by paperwork problems, Sea Tow Foundation has prepared a list of documents to keep on your boat and also provides some tips on how to store them safely.

What documents do you need?

• License. Just like anyone driving a car, a captain must have his or her identification, which is usually in the form of a driver’s license, on board at all times. If you get caught without it, your perfect night on the water might be punctuated with a fine.
• Boat Documentation. The law requires you to have either a state registration or United States Coast Guard federal documentation for your boat. Every state has a slightly nuanced registration requirement, so be sure to check out the USA Boat Registration to see what your state requires before you head out on the water.
• Recreational Licenses and Safety Certificates. Some states require boaters to carry proof of completing a boating safety course. Each state is different, so you might need the certificate on a personal watercraft, but not on a pontoon boat; or you might need it for all boats if you were born on or after a certain date. Check your state’s boating education requirements before you launch your boat. If you are out fishing, or hunting, keeping track of your fishing and hunting licenses will be important as well.
• Boat Insurance. Different boats call for different types of boating insurance. Keeping the proof of that insurance on your boat will ensure you are prepared for any unexpected incidents on the water. If you carry additional coverages for your trailer or other equipment, make sure to carry those cards as well.
• On-Water Assistance. If you have a membership with Sea Tow for marine assistance, you will want to carry your wallet-size card, or you can access your membership through your phone via the Sea Tow app. Either way, knowing that you can reach someone for help 24/7/365 will give you true peace of mind on the water.
• Health Insurance and Medical History. Consider keeping a copy of your personal medical information on your boat as well as a list of medications that you take or any allergies that you have in case of emergencies. You may also want to do the same for any frequent passengers.

How do you keep them dry?

• Dry Box. Several waterproof storage containers are available to keep your documents dry and safe. Dry boxes come in every shape, size, and color. One of our favorites is called the SeaSucker Dry Box and some of their boxes have accessories like horizontal mounts, cup holders, and padding.*
• Dry Bag. This is a specially-made waterproof bag that is a great and portable way to keep anything from getting wet. Dry bags are also available in a variety of sizes and colors to suit your needs. Ugo offers a 100% waterproof dry bag and a smartphone case that even floats.*
• Storage Zipper Bag. This should be the option of last resort as these bags can be easily ripped or get a hole in them. If this is the only option available to you on your boat, consider using multiple bags with each one sealed inside of another. Otherwise, these bags can provide a great additional level of coverage for frequently-referenced documentation being stored in a larger dry box or dry bag. This allows you to reach in and take out the document your need without getting it wet or disturbing anything else.

*Sea Tow members can get a discount on both SeaSucker Dry Boxes and Ugo Dry Bags as part of the Sea Tow Savings Club. You’ll need to be logged in as a member to receive the discounts.

Keeping your documents safe and dry on the water is important, and there are so many ways to ensure that this happens. What do you use to hold your documents safely on your vessel?

If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.

Paper Boat Photo by Janis Fasel on Unsplash