National Safe Boating Week Kicks Off Recreational Boating Season

Fromthe Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection:

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announces National Safe Boating Week (May 21-27) and encourages all boaters to be safe on Connecticut’s waters while enjoying the upcoming boating season, which unofficially begins Memorial Day Weekend.

This year, DEEP is kicking off National Safe Boating Week on Saturday, May 21 with its partners, the US Coast Guard, US Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCG AUX), and the United States Power Squadrons (USPS), at the US Coast Guard (USCG) Open House, Sector Long Island Sound. The USCG Open House in New Haven will offer displays on safe boating while interacting with the USCG, USCG Auxiliary, police departments and DEEP.

“Connecticut’s waters offer endless hours of relaxation, boating opportunities and outdoor recreation on Long Island Sound, Fishers Island Sound and in its many rivers, streams, lakes and ponds” said Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner, DEEP. “All boaters should be properly certified and use common sense and courtesy while boating in Connecticut.”

It is important for boaters to take a boating safety class which is required to operate a registered boat and to follow safety guidelines such as dressing properly for the water temperature, wearing a personal flotation device (life jacket), properly maintaining your boat, and refraining from boating under the influence of alcohol. These simple steps and responsible boating practices will help create a safer, more enjoyable boating environment for everyone on Connecticut’s waters.

This year’s Great Park Pursuit -- Connecticut State Parks Adventure, now in its 11th year, introduces children to the wonder of nature and provides free outdoor experiences for the entire family and friends. On May 21st, the Great Park Pursuit is dedicated to boating safety and will be held at a Connecticut state park. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the park, learn about safe boating and experience a ride in a canoe. Click here for clues and information on the location of the state park. While at the park, guests can also join DEEP boating staff in the National Ready, Set, Wear It event, where we will try to set a new world record of life jacket wear in one day.

New this year is an interactive exhibit at Mystic Aquarium that educates visitors on navigating boats and the importance of wearing life jackets. Visitors will learn about the importance of navigational signs and buoys while boating and ways to keep Connecticut’s water clean by preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species and using pumpouts. The exhibit is made possible by a partnership of DEEP and Mystic Aquarium.

DEEP’s Boating Division’s Student Ambassador’s projects will be on display at the Legislative Office building corridor in Hartford during this week, with an appreciation ceremony on Thursday, May 26, 2016. This program provides an opportunity for high school and middle school students to complete senior year or school community projects by delivering important boating safety messages to students throughout their school.

Many of the displays will focus on the following topics:

Life Jackets

Connecticut law requires that each person on board a vessel have a life jacket that is properly sized, in good condition and is readily accessible. Children under age 13, must wear their life jacket while underway unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

All persons must wear their life jacket at all times when: (1) underway on a manually propelled vessel (i.e. kayaks, canoes, standup paddleboards, rowboats) from October 1st through May 31st (2) on a personal watercraft (PWC) (3) waterskiing or being towed in other water sports.

Wearing a life jacket is a practice that is crucial to providing protection on the water and all adults and children need to be aware of its importance. All of Connecticut’s fatal accidents in 2015 were caused by drowning. All victims were not wearing a life jacket.

Dressing for Water Temperatures

Connecticut is considered a cold water state, where water temperatures usually don’t exceed 68°F before early June. Cold water can create dangerous conditions if you suddenly become immersed. Plan on the unexpected immersion, dress for the water temperatures, not the air temperature and wear a life jacket. When submerged in cold water your body loses heat 25 times faster than it will in the air.

For those paddling, riding personal watercraft or using craft that are typically less stable, like small sailboats, the best way to increase survival time is to wear a life jacket, and either a drysuit or wetsuit.

For all other boaters out on the water this time of year, DEEP recommends:

• Avoid wearing cotton
• Wear a hat (fleeced-lined is recommended)
• Dress in layers using synthetic fabrics such as polyester fleece
• Wear a life jacket.
• Bring a waterproof jacket and spare dry clothing in a sealed dry bag.

Operator Responsibilities

The operator is, ultimately, in charge of the vessel and responsible for the safety of the vessel, including passengers and cargo, the legal operation of the vessel, actions of the passengers, and the awareness of the weather, water hazards and environmental conditions. To ensure a great day on the water the operator should file a float plan with a reliable friend or relative, use a pre-departure checklist, ensure all safety equipment is onboard and in good working condition, provide a properly fitting life jacket in good working condition for each passenger, and boat sober the entire time while on the water.

Keep Our Water Clean – Use Pumpouts

It is illegal to discharge boat sewage into Connecticut waters. Long Island (LIS) and Fishers Island Sounds (FIS) have been designated as No Discharge Areas by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nutrient overloading can harm animals living in the water. Too many nutrients can cause hypoxia, which is low levels of oxygen in the water. Connecticut has 98 land based pumpout facilities for servicing installed holding tanks on recreational vessels and 21 dump stations for portable toilets. This program is made possible by grant money provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service through a Clean Vessel Act grant. In 2015, approximately 1.2 million gallons of boat sewage was kept out of LIS, FIS and Candlewood Lake.

Boating Education

Residents of Connecticut, persons owning real estate property in Connecticut or persons with vessels registered in Connecticut must have either a safe boating certificate or a certificate of personal watercraft operation to legally operate any vessel with a motor, or a sailboat 19.5 feet in length or longer. Boating certificates can be obtained by successfully completing an approved 8 hour course followed by the purchase of the certificate online through the DEEP website or by successfully passing an equivalency exam scheduled through the DEEP Boating Division.

Boating Under the Influence

Nationally, alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; listed as the leading factor in 21 percent of fatalities from recreational boating accidents, according to USCG 2014 statistics. It is illegal in every state and territory to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. BUI laws pertain to all vessels, from canoes and rowboats to the largest ships.

Persons found to be boating under the influence can expect to incur penalties. If a boat operator is boating under the influence, the voyage may be terminated, the boat may be impounded and the operator may be arrested. Penalties in Connecticut include fines, jail, and loss of boating privileges. Connecticut had a total 10 BUI arrests in 2015.

Safe Waterskiing Endorsement… a NEW Law

Towed water sports are a three person sport in Connecticut, requiring a: driver, spotter, and skier/tuber. The driver must designate a person on board the vessel as an observer. This person must be at least 12 years of age. The observer shall assist the operator and monitor the progress of the water skier. As of October 1, 2015, the operator is also required to hold a safe waterskiing endorsement as well as a boating certificate. For additional information and to take the online course to obtain your safe waterskiing endorsement, click here.