Boat Safety Training: Don’t Become a Statistic

Summer is here, and folks in Northwest Arkansas are getting ready to take their boats out, some for the first time. According to a report from the U.S. Coast Guard: In 2017, there were 4,291 boating accidents that involved 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries and approximately $46 million of property damage. Almost 76% of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those, almost 84.5% were not wearing a life jacket. 81% of these deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure and alcohol use rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents. Given this information, it’s smart to know and abide by the rules of safe boating before you head out on the open water.

Rules of the Water

• Boat supply stores have a copy of the boating “Rules of the Road.” Be sure read it and know the rules before you leave the marina. Here are some very basic safety rules to follow:

• Have at least one other passenger on board who knows how to operate your boat

• Always be on the lookout for other boats, people or debris in all directions, even behind you

• Boat at a safe speed

• Avoid reckless maneuvers

• Don’t drink alcohol while operating your boat Although these are suggestions to avoid causing a boating accident, it’s not an all-inclusive list or a substitute for boat safety training. A boat safety course, many of which are free and can be taken online, a good investment of your time, and may even earn you a discount on your boat insurance.

For more information, contact a local Shelter® Insurance Agent: Scott Comiskey, Bella Vista, (479) 855-7774; Matthew Hillis, Bentonville, (479) 273-7793; Jamie Carter, Bentonville, (479) 845-3657; Chris Taylor, Gravette (479) 787-5421; Sean Garrison, Rogers, (479) 621-0555; Derek Wardlow, Rogers, (479) 631-0899.