Public Service Articles in the pursuit of
Recreational Boating Safety

Water Fowl Hunter's -
Guess what, you should know more about boating!
By Wayne Spivak, ADSO-CS 1SR
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Ahoy Hunter! Do you a hunt water fowl or hunt in and around lakes, streams, rivers, or ponds? Do you use a jon boat, rowboat, duck-boat or a blind near your favorite haunt? If you do, you should seriously think about getting more education, specifically boating education!

Most of us think accidents never happen to us, but denial won't help, if you or someone in your party is involved in an accident.. In the year 2000, the Coast Guard reported that 23 vessels were involved in accidents, while the occupants were hunting. Ten (10) fatalities resulted from those 23 accidents. That's about 1/10th of 1% of all fatalities reported that year, not much of a risk, but its 43% of all boating accidents related to hunting. Now that's a major risk!

1999 wasn't too much different, with 36 accidents and 13 fatalities. That's an improvement in your chances of living, with the fatality percentage decreasing to 36%. But if you're the unfortunate member of the 36%; it isn't much comfort.

Why the need for more boater education?

It's based somewhat on the above statistics, but those statistics are the improved numbers. There has been a steady improvement (decline in accidents and deaths); in both boating and hunting since both mandatory and suggested education programs were instituted.

So, currently your chances of being in an accident or dying from that accident are, at least by the statistical pattern, low, but remember, these are still only the reported statistics! How many of us report little, embarrassing accidents, even if they caused not so little injuries?

If we, as participants in the sport of boating and hunting slack off on the non-mandatory education efforts, these statistics will begin to rise. It has taken years of efforts, by the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the states as well as other interested parties, to improve these statistics. And, the collective "we" are still not happy!

New Dimensions

Boating while involved in hunting adds new dimensions and new dangers, to both boating and hunting. Not only do you need to observe the rules, inherent in boating (both from a legal standpoint but also a boating technique stance), but now you have the added elements of danger, your weapon. Boats, especially jon boats (or duck-boats) and rowboats are not known for their high degree of lateral stability.

It's extremely easy to swamp or broach these boats by shifting the weight distribution within the boat. Changes in the weather, leading to exposure to the harsher elements and their subsequent negative effects are also part of the dangers both boaters and hunters endure. Hypothermia is the major threat to both groups of sportsman, especially around the seasons (fall, winter) that hunters normally hunt.

Multiple hunters in a small boat just add to the danger. Fields of fire need to be mapped out and exactingly maintained. Movement within the boat, from the act of swinging shotguns and rifles, to the bird dogs jumping into the water, need to be understood, and factored into the mix.

Hunting, boating as well as other outdoor sports are best enjoyed when you return back home safe and sound. Education is part of any sport, and many outdoor sports require more preparation and education than other more traditional sports.

Many states now require mandatory boating and/or hunting education. In some states, you are unable to get hunting licenses without proof of a hunter safety course, and you can't get a water-fowl license without a boater safety course.

We, in the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary implore you to undertake the many opportunities for boater and hunting education. The Coast Guard Auxiliary, whose cornerstone is Recreational Boating Safety, provides some of this education (non-hunting education).

To find out where and when the next boating course is being given, why not visit the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary on the internet at www.cgaux.org or call your local Coast Guard (www.uscg.mil) or CG Auxiliary unit.