Thousands of boaters are expected to hit the water this Fourth of July holiday weekend, recreational boating’s traditional busiest time of the year. As a reminder, here are a few boating safety reminders for those boating enthusiasts.
While many local community fireworks displays have been canceled this year, some boaters may wish to offer their own fireworks show and take to the water with pyrotechnics.
With gallons of fuel aboard and other flammable materials this would truly be risking lives. There is no safe place aboard a boat suitable for using fireworks.
Boat captains need to keep in mind that their passengers become their responsibility as soon as they pull away from the dock. When enjoying time on the water, think twice about loading up the boat with a cooler full with beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks as alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.
Just because the captain is sober doesn’t mean alcohol should be free-flowing aboard the boat. The stressors of a hot sun, wind and waves all day when combined with alcohol can intensify the effects of inebriation, increasing the risk of a passenger slip or fall overboard or worse.
Lastly, remember that you won’t be out on the water alone. Missouri Highway Patrol will heighten BUI awareness and enforcement during the three-day weekend of July 3-5, and law enforcement officers will be on alert for those violating boating under the influence laws.