Michigan conservation officers offer safe boating tips for National Safe Boating Week May 17-23

As the weather warms up and thoughts turn to summer recreation in Michigan, boating comes to the minds of many Michigan residents and visitors. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources' conservation officers remind Michigan residents to practice safety when boating.

May 17-23 is National Safe Boating Week, an effort to remind people to follow some boating safety tips. The DNR encourages Michigan residents and visitors to:

• Wear a life jacket - more than 80 percent of drowning accidents in the United States are due to people not wearing their life jackets. In Michigan, anyone less than 6 years of age must wear a life jacket when on the open deck of any vessel. But wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) is recommended for everyone.
• Make sure your boat is properly equipped and your equipment is in good working order. In addition to all legally required equipment, such as life jackets and fire extinguishers, always carry a first-aid kit, nautical charts and an anchor. Make sure your navigation lights are working properly.
• Avoid drinking alcohol - nearly half of all boating accidents involve alcohol. Studies show that passengers are 10 times more likely to fall overboard when they have consumed alcohol.
• File a float plan. Always let a family member or friend on shore know the who, what, when and where of your trip - and when you are expected back. Give them phone numbers for the local sheriff or U.S. Coast Guard in the event you don't return when expected.
• Maintain a sharp lookout. Stay alert for other boats, swimmers, skiers and objects in the water. This is especially true when operating in crowded waterways, at night and during conditions of restricted visibility.
• Carry a marine radio or cell phone. Be prepared to call for help in case you are involved in an accident, your boat becomes disabled or you otherwise need assistance. Program the phone numbers for the county sheriff or U.S. Coast Guard in your cell phone. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged, but be aware that there are often gaps in coverage on the water.

“We also recommend a boating safety course for anyone who plans on taking to the water in a boat or on a personal watercraft,” said Lt. Andrew Turner, who manages the DNR Law Enforcement Division’s recreational safety program. “Boating safety classes are offered at different locations around the state and online, making it convenient and affordable.”

For more information on boating safety, including who is required to take a boating safety class, go to www.michigan.gov/boating.

For more information on safe boating, visit the U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Resource Center at www.uscgboating.org.

Boat Safety Saturday: Boat check, classes may save insurance costs -- and lives

Tomorrow is Boat Safety Saturday in Dane County. Boaters will learn key safety tips that will help keep water trips safe and fun -- and also possibly save boat owners insurance dollars.

A team of boat experts from the Department of Natural Resources, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and several fire departments from Madison, McFarland, Maple Bluff and Middleton will be making the rounds to boat landings to visit with boaters about their vessel equipment, safety classes and the importance of always wearing a life jacket.

It’s all part of National Safe Boating Week, which starts Saturday and leads in the Memorial Day weekend.

The participating agencies will have their equipment on display for you to enjoy. As time allows, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be offering free vessel safety checks for trailered boats only. Some insurance companies offer discounts on vessels certified by such inspections. Others give discounts for boaters who complete certified boat safety classes. Ask your company!

The schedule for Saturday’s safe boating kick-off is:

• 8 to 9:30 a.m. – Babcock Park boat landing, US Highway 51 in McFarland
• 10 - 11:30 a.m. – Olin Park boat landing, John Nolen Drive in Madison
• Noon to 2 p.m. – Warner Park boat landing, Northport Drive in Madison

Of the 23 boating fatalities in Wisconsin last year, 13 were due to drowning and none of the victims was properly wearing a life jacket. From 2007 – 2011, there were 67 people who drowned in boating incidents in Wisconsin and 91 percent of them were not wearing life jackets.

Please stay safe as you enjoy Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes and 84,000 miles of rivers. Get your boat checked, take a class and always wear your life jacket. New styles are comfortable! “The belief you will be able to get the jacket on as you fall over the boat’s side for whatever reason is unrealistic,” DNR Boating Law Administrator Roy Zellmer says. For more information, visit dnr.wi.gov and search boat.

Green Bay Area Great Lakes Sportfishing Club October Speaker

Greg Ellison of Traxstech will speak about boat rigging.. This could be a very interesting topic and good for new boat owners as well as old seasoned owners looking for an update.

The meeting will be held on Thursday night, October 21, at 7:00 PM at the Stadium View Sports Bar & Grill located at 1963 Holmgren Way in Green Bay.

Keep an Eye on Your Boat Trailer and It Will Treat You Well

The BoatUS Trailering Club's Top 3 Reasons for Trailer Mishaps

ALEXANDRIA, Va- With the boating season now in full swing, the miles are starting to add up for the thousands of boaters and anglers trailering their boats and fishing rigs to their favorite waterway.

The BoatUS Trailering Club, which offers "Trailer Assist" roadside assistance for both disabled boat trailers and their tow vehicles, says if you want your trailer travels to remain trouble-free, now is the time to keep a close eye on your trailer for wear and damage.

So far this summer, the BoatUS 24-hour dispatch centers (800-391-4869) report the following top three reasons why boaters are requesting help, as well as some tips to ensure a smooth tow to the lake all summer long:

#1 Flat tires: Tires should be inspected before, during and after each trip, and inflated to proper PSI (usually 50 PSI). Having a spare in serviceable condition is key, along with a jack that works with your trailer (most vehicle jacks don't). Waiting to replace a tire that is worn or dry-rotted, or not properly inflated are sure-fire ways to disable a boat trailer quickly.

#2 Bearing problems: Bearings should be inspected, cleaned and repacked at least once a year - more if you boat in salt water or put a lot of miles on your rig. Keeping dust caps in place helps prevent premature wear. The best early indicator of bearing problems is to stop the rig periodically to feel the hubs for heat. It's normal for hubs to get warm, but they should not be hot to the touch.

#3 Axle problems: Axles don't last forever, especially those regularly immersed in salt water. Whether it's a torsion axle or standard leaf-spring mounted axle, pay close attention to any rust and corrosion - and that includes the fasteners (bolts) that keep it attached to the trailer.

Trailer Assist service is $14 annually, plus association membership of $24. For more information on the BoatUS Trailering Club and all of the services provided, visit www.BoatUS.com/trailerclub or call 800-395-2628.
About the BoatUS Trailering Club:

The BoatUS Trailering Club is from Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) - the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing over half a million members with government representation, programs and money saving services. The Club's Trailer Assist program offers over 18,000 roadside service providers across North America with the experience and equipment to handle a disabled tow vehicle and trailer, and will tow both up to 100 miles to the nearest repair facility, safe location, or home. Flat tires, lock out service, ramp-winching are also included. For more visit www.BoatUS.com/trailerclub or call 800-395-2628.