BOSTON – The United States Coast Guard is issuing a fair weather warning for all boaters, paddlers, sailors and fishers who plan to venture out this weekend on the inland and coastal waters of the Northeast’s First Coast Guard District.
With sunny skies and spring-like temperatures forecasted for Saturday and Sunday and inland ice covers rapidly subsiding, the beck and call of open water is strong for many small boaters and paddlers. However, the Coast Guard’s advice is to ignore that call unless properly attired in a dry suit or wet suit, wearing a Coast Guard-approved life jacket and prepared in all respects in the event of capsizing or falling overboard.
With coastal water temperatures just a few degrees above freezing and inland waters even colder, the lure of spring-like weather creates a deceptively dangerous combination.
“At this time of year, on unprotected flesh, the debilitating effect of the shock of cold water, is mercilessly unforgiving,” said Al Johnson, the recreational boating specialist for the First Coast Guard District in Boston. “And, I can’t stress enough, if you’re not fully prepared and properly equipped, don’t go.”
The First Coast Guard District suffered its first recreational boating fatality for 2010 last weekend when a canoe carrying three people capsized on the Exeter River in Raymond, NH, resulting in the death of a 21-year old Salem, N.H., woman. No one was wearing a life jacket.
The Coast Guard highly recommends to those who do venture out on inland and coastal waters at this time of year to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Know and understand the danger of cold water immersion – be aware of and prepared for the shock of sudden immersion and the incapacitating effects of cold water.
- Assess the risk – be realistic about what can go wrong and be fully equipped and prepared to survive. This includes having a VHF radio on coastal waters, cell phone in water-proof bag and appropriate signaling and sound-producing devices.
- Leave a float plan with a responsible individual who knows your intentions, location, and who to call if you fail to return as scheduled.
- In addition to wearing a dry suit or wet suit, wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket and ensure that your boating or paddling partners do the same.
Johnson recommends boaters and paddlers who have not already done so to take a boater education course through the Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons or with state, private or internet providers. Additional course information can be found at the following websites or by calling the BoatUS Course Line at 1-800-336-BOAT:
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary – www.cgaux.org
U.S. Power Squadrons – www.usps.org
U.S. Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety – www.uscgboating.org
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators – www.nasbla.org
Johnson also reminds paddlers that life jacket wear is mandatory on Massachusetts and Connecticut waters through mid-May and in Maine on the Saco River between the Hiram Dam and the ocean through June 1st. Life jackets are required for all boaters and paddlers in New York on all vessels under 21-feet through May 1st.
