DNREC urges boaters to keep Delaware’s waters safe

With the traditional Memorial Day weekend launch of summer fast approaching, many Delaware boaters will also soon put in for the first time this year.  During National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27, and extending throughout the boating season, DNREC’s Office of Boating Safety encourages anyone aboard to help keep Delaware’s waters among the safest for boating in the United States.

“Delaware consistently has one of the lowest boating accident rates in the country. Last year, we had two boating-related fatalities and 18 reportable boating accidents. That’s good – but we’d still like to see those numbers go down,” said Sgt. Greg Rhodes, DNREC’s boating safety officer and boating education specialist.

Recent statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard show the top five primary contributing factors for boating accidents are operator inattention, operator inexperience, excessive speed, improper lookout, and alcohol consumption. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents and was listed as the leading factor in 16 percent of the 736 boating-related fatalities reported nationwide in 2009, the most recent year for which Coast Guard statistics are available.

“Drinking while boating is a choice. The best way to minimize the risk of an accident is to make the wise choice – don’t drink and boat,” said Rhodes, noting that boaters should plan ahead to have a non-drinking designated boat operator aboard if alcohol is being consumed.

While it is not illegal for recreational boat operators to consume alcohol, the same blood alcohol limit used to measure intoxication in automobile drivers applies to boat operators: 0.08 or above is legally intoxicated, Rhodes added, noting that boat operators found to be at or over the limit face fines and potential jail time, as well as putting themselves and their passengers at risk.

Statistics also support the vital role of wearing life jackets in keeping boaters safe. According to Coast Guard data, more than three-quarters of those killed in boating accidents in 2009 were drowning victims – and 84 percent of them were not wearing life jackets. In addition, capsizing and falling overboard were the most reported types of fatal accidents.

"Delaware law requires that children age 12 and younger wear a life jacket while underway in any vessel on Delaware waters. Though life jackets are not legally required for adults, they should also wear them, especially those with limited swimming skills,” said Rhodes.

Taking a boating safety course can also improve skills and reduce the chances of an accident. Coast Guard statistics show that where instructional data was available, 85 percent of reported fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.

Delaware’s Office of Boating Safety provides volunteer instructors to private and non-profit organizations, schools, clubs and the public to educate boaters on skills and seamanship and to encourage them to be safe, knowledgeable and responsible. Courses are offered free of charge, including materials and educational aids.

Under Delaware law, all persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1978 must successfully complete a boating safety course in order to operate a boat in Delaware waters, including personal watercraft, Rhodes noted. “We recommend that everyone who is going to operate a boat in Delaware waters take a safety course first, regardless of their age,” he added.

For more information on Delaware’s boating safety education courses, please visit http://www.fw.delaware.gov/Boating/Pages/Delaware_Boating_Safety.aspx or contact Sgt. Greg Rhodes at 302-739-9913 or email gregory.rhodes@state.de.us.