An article from WWA’s Words From The Wardens.
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s June, 2024 eNewsletter.
By DNR Recreation Warden Molly Detjens
Wisconsin just marked the unofficial start of summer — Memorial Day — which also serves as an annual reminder to take stock of the condition of your boat equipment and life jackets.
With the abnormally warm winter, it’s safe to say most boats were not in storage for too long. This means the equipment checks may not take as long as in previous years. However, this is one annual assessment you want to do before you leave the pier.
I am one of the DNR’s recreation wardens. Recreation wardens specialize in ensuring recreational opportunities are safe for all. When incidents and accidents happen, we investigate.
BOAT CHECK
As you perform your general boat assessment, look at your boat from one end to the other to ensure it is ready for the water.
- Is your registration current?
- Are the lights working?
- Do you have the engine cut-off lanyard?
- Remember the all-important plug.
- Other necessary items include a fire extinguisher, oars, flares, air horn or some kind of sound device, first aid kit, anchor, a set of dry clothes and a radio.
The most important piece of equipment is the life jacket (also known as a personal flotation device or PFD). Remember, you must have life jackets for each person on board. The life jackets must be the proper size and fit for everyone on board the vessel, including infants and children. Check the jackets for tears and the straps for wear, and if inflatable, check the cartridges each time before use.
LIFE JACKET CHECK: WHY WEAR ONE?
Our goal is to eliminate boating fatalities. In 2023, there were 28 boating fatalities, up from 20 in 2022. The terms “boating fatality” or “boating accident” usually trigger thoughts of two boats colliding or a boat running into another object.
But the records show most of last year’s fatalities were the result of people leaving the vessel (eight fatalities), falling overboard (15 fatalities) and capsizing (three fatalities). Only one of the 2023 boating fatalities was the result of two boats colliding. What’s even more alarming is that there were eight boating fatalities in the month of October, which is not usually the month we associate with a high number of boating fatalities.
So, what does this tell us? Only one of the fatalities involved a victim wearing a life jacket. Continuing to ensure people have the appropriate number of readily accessible, properly fitting life jackets in good condition should be the number one priority.
Maybe this is the season you enjoy paddling — in a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Remember, our silent sports enthusiasts also are required to have enough life jackets on board for everyone on the vessel. The better plan is to wear the life jacket. Ten fatalities in 2023 were non-motorized/paddle-sport vessels.
As you know, life jackets today are more comfortable, colorful and lightweight — to the point that you may forget you have them on. You also have options, such as inflatable life jackets and those specifically designed for activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding and more.
Forgot yours? Some communities and groups have installed life jacket loaner boards. The loaner board is a kiosk holding life jackets and flotation devices of varying types and sizes. It is free to use, and the public is expected to return the items when they are done boating.
While the law requires boats to have enough life jackets on board for the passengers, we believe the best route for safe fun is to wear the jacket whenever you are on or near water. It can’t save your life if it is in storage.
Recreation wardens are ready to assist with boat safety. Let’s make this boating season the safest one possible.