Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Bi-monthly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
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Boating Safety for All Watercraft is a Priority Largely considered the fastest growing water sport in the nation, paddleboarding offers a relaxing way to explore our nation's waterways. Yet many do not realize they are subject to both federal and state boating safety laws, according to Bruce Wright, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist for the Coast Guard's 7th District. The Coast Guard developed criteria for determining if a watercraft qualifies as a regulated vessel and all lengths of paddleboards meet that guideline. Paddlers – who stand or sit – on a long board, are propelled across the water using a lengthy paddle. Yet unexpected floating debris - or rough conditions - can cause even the most experienced to lose their balance and fall overboard. During the recent National Safe Boating Week campaign, Coast Guard units in Florida took time to reinforce the safety message extending outreach to small vessel operators such as kayakers, canoeists and paddleboarders. That makes sense, especially for those living on a peninsula where year-round water sports are a reality. However, it is interesting to note that a special report issued in 2009 by the Outdoor Industry Association and the Outdoor Foundation estimated that nearly 18 million Americans could be classified as paddlers. "The tremendous growth in paddleboarding underscores the need to continue extensive public outreach," says Cmdr. Scott Calhoun, Chief of Prevention at Sector St. Petersburg. "Deaths and injuries on the water are preventable, and boating safety education provides a great foundation." From his Tampa office, he overlooks a channel shared by motorized vessels, paddleboarders, kayakers, canoeists and sailboats. That view helps boating safety remain foremost in his thoughts. "In addition to offering free boat safety checks and rescuing people in distress, it is essential we include outreach to folks on all kinds of watercraft, so they understand the hazards and how to stay safe on the water," says Calhoun. He strongly urged all watercraft enthusiasts to fully understand federal and state requirements for mandatory safety gear. At a minimum, that includes appropriate signaling devices and an approved life jacket for each person aboard. Calhoun was quick to say that innovations in flotation devices have led to the availability of a variety of more comfortable Coast Guard approved life jackets ideal for paddleboarding, including lightweight types that fit around your waist. "While federal law requires you have a life jacket onboard, wearing it makes the most sense," he says, while also reminding boaters that children are required to wear their life jackets at all times, while underway. "Wearing a life jacket is like wearing your seatbelt in your automobile, or wearing a helmet on your motorcycle, says Calhoun. "Not everybody likes to do it, but accident statistics prove time and again that it can save your life. "That's why wearing the life jacket, versus simply having it onboard is so important." He offered a few more tips, saying that having a life jacket onboard is not the end of the story. First, ensure all life jackets fit the user and that the type selected matches its intended use; and, second, inspect and practice using the life jacket before heading out on the water - especially those that automatically or manually inflate. "A life jacket is to a boater, what a parachute is to a skydiver," says Calhoun. "You don't want to find out your parachute doesn't work after you have jumped out of the plane." Ray Stuart, Coast Guard Auxiliarist in Ruskin, Fla., concurs. As Public Affairs Officer at Flotilla 75, he spends a lot of time conducting boater safety outreach in Central Florida. He offered a paddleboarder displays both the incorrect way (left) and the correct way (right) to safely ride a paddleboard. 12 RESERVIST � Issue 2 • 2013