|
|
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Offers Fall Boating Tips
Thursday, October 02, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact: Dave Zazac, Public
Affairs Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary
Flotilla 7-8, 7th Division, 8th District,
Eastern Region
412-881-4037, cbelem1@yahoo.com
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
OFFERS FALL BOATING
TIPS
Many boaters who have put their boats away for the year
shortly after Labor Day are missing out on a variety of boating opportunities
available in the fall months. The cooler weather associated with fall provides
great visual displays and enjoyable boating.
Annually Pennsylvanians anticipate the spectacular
colors of the trees, but miss out on some of the best views which are actually
on many waterways. On a bright sunny day, boaters can get twice the color show
with the trees reflecting off the water.
.
Whether fishing or enjoying the fall colors from the
water, boaters need to prepare for conditions unique to the season. To ensure a
safe autumn outing, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 7-8 offers
these tips to take into consideration.
Check water levels and conditions before heading
out. These include levels at your boat slip or launch ramp and when you are
underway. Lower water levels in the fall create obstruction hazards different
from those in summer months. For example, boaters could encounter submerged
logs, trees and other debris in the water that they would not normally have to
deal with earlier in the year during higher
current flows.
File a float plan with someone on-shore with details
about your trip, destination and approximate time to return. For more
information, visit http://www.uscgaux.org/~floatplan
Dress for the water temperature, not the air
temperature. While there might be some bright sunny days left, the cool
night temperatures are causing water temperatures to drop. One of the major
causes of boating fatalities is immersion hypothermia, the rapid reduction of
body temperature which occurs when boaters fall into cold water. Any water with
a temperature below 70 degrees is considered cold enough to trigger
hypothermia.
Always wear a Personal Flotation
Device (PFD), regardless of swimming skills. A PFD allows a
boating mishap victim to stay afloat. The shock of falling into frigid water has
claimed hundreds of experienced swimmers nationally. Wearing a PFD during fall
boating outings is a must. Beside keeping a victim afloat, PFDs provide
excellent insulation against the cold, wind and rain.
If you should find yourself in the water, relax and stay
with the boat. Try to climb out of the water and on top of your capsized boat to
wait for someone to rescue you if you are alone. Do not worry about trying to
salvage gear, anything that falls overboard is of less value than your own
life.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of
uniformed, non-military volunteers who assist the Coast Guard in all its varied
missions, except for military and direct law
enforcement.
Submitted by:
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Back
to All Articles
|
|