Respect the Water: Practice Safe Boating

Respect the Water: Practice Safe Boating Boating, a pleasure and relaxing sport, can turn dangerous at times. Hundreds of people die each year and thousands are injured in boating accidents. Most accidents happen due to carelessness, ignorance or lack of experience. A careless attitude can cause such mishaps. Thus, a little caution can prevent accidents and save lives.

Boating Accident Figures

There are about 12,875,568 recreational boats in the United States and, according to the National Recreational Boating Safety Survey of 2007, there were around:

• 5,191 boating accidents
• 685 fatal accidents
• 475 deaths caused by drowning
• 3,673 injured needing serious medical treatment

Property loss was estimated at over $53 million.

Boating Activities and Rules in Montana

The beautiful state of Montana has about 2,673 ponds, lakes, reservoirs and other water bodies. A large number of these are frequented by residents and tourists for recreational activities.

The minimum federal requirements are:

• Rented boats and watercraft: A person must be 18 years and above to rent a motorboat. Children below 18 years of age should not operate a motorboat that is more than ten horsepower, unescorted.
• Motorboat operator certificate needed: The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks conducts boat safety education programs and provides students certificates at the successful completion of the course. Boating classes are also held by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.
• Registration of boats: The registration of a vessel can be done after you obtain a certificate of ownership (title). After your vessel has been registered by the authorities, the certificate number should be kept aboard at all times.
• Every passenger on board a watercraft must wear PFDs or personal flotation devices.
• Equipment requirement: A person should ideally use (depending upon the size of boat) compass, charts, marine VHF radio, fixed fire extinguishing system, paddle, oar, flashlight, searchlight, binocular, first aid kit, bailers and other marine hardware.

Any person found violating the Montana boating laws can be fined up to $500 and/or sentenced up to six months in jail.

What to Avoid while Boating

While boating, it is advisable to not:

• Consume alcohol or any other psychotropic substance
• Discharge or throw matter of any kind (including trash, garbage and oil)
• Drive recklessly harming nature or wildlife
• Resort to reckless operation of the boat

In case of a major boating accident in US waters, you should immediately call for help, if possible. The accident should be reported to the local sheriff or game warden without delay. If you or your friend or relative has suffered any kind of injury or mental agony or you know someone who has died in a boating accident, contact an experienced marine attorney immediately. If the injury or death is due to another person’s negligence, the victim or his immediate family may be able to receive compensation and/or punitive damages.

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