Boating Safety

[DaveS]

With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, and as we all make our plans for our outings on the lakes and rivers of this great country, lets think SAFETY!

Use caution on the water as it will be shared with Fishermen, Jet Skis, Skiers, Speedboats, Canoes and god only knows what.

Here's a few basics....

1. Have an approved Flotation Device for EACH person on your boat.

2. If equiped with a gas powered motor, have a SERVICEABLE Fire Extinguisher.

3. Have some type of Audible signaling device.

4. Depending on length of boat, a "throwable" flotation device may be required.

5. DO NOT overload your boat or watercraft...

6. DO NOT allow anyone to ride on the bow of a boat while under power.

7. Watch for "Obstructions" in the lake, river or stream.

8. If you see someone whom seems distressed or "broke down", offer assistance. A tow back to the ramp may go a long way in making new friends, and make our waterways a friendlier and safer place to be!

This is not an all inclusive list and more info can be found here: http://www.tn.gov/twra/boatmain.html

This is an upcoming campaign to kick off the summer boating season:

Please be safe, and enjoy your outing!

Dave

This has been a Safety announcement from WD-40 (The person, not the oil)!

Edited May 13, 2012 by wd-40

[Guest President Fernatt]

Do they still enforce the law stating anyone born after 1989 has to get a boating license? I remember it was a big deal about 5 years ago when I was still in highschool so I got my license. I haven't ever heard it mentioned again though....nor have I ever seen or heard of any friends getting checked or of TWRA enforcing the law.

[DaveS]

Yes, it is required.

[Photoguy67]

Admittedly I have not boated in many years. What is a boating license?

[DaveS]

Anyone born after 1989 must attend a "Boater Safety" course (kinda like hunter safety but for boating) before they may opperate a powerboat.

[Photoguy67]

Okay. I guess since I was born in 1965 I am safe. LOL

[Guest President Fernatt]

Do I have to have that license on me while boating or can they access it via radio communications? It's not very practicle to carry around a lil sliver of paper while boating and swimming lol. They should issue them as hard,durable, laminated licenses like those needed for vehicle operation.

[Timestepper]

Do I have to have that license on me while boating or can they access it via radio communications? It's not very practicle to carry around a lil sliver of paper while boating and swimming lol. They should issue them as hard,durable, laminated licenses like those needed for vehicle operation.

Actually, you can buy a waterproof zip-lock license holder for about a buck at Walmart. It's just big enough to hold a driver's license, a hunting/fishing license and a debit card (or at least that's what goes in mine when I'm canoeing). And I would assume the answer is to your question is YES - they can check your driver's/hunting/fishing licenses electronically, too, but I'll you'd get your @ss in a helluva' crack if you didn't carry 'em, right? Same should apply to the boating thing, IMO.

[Guest President Fernatt]

Actually, you can buy a waterproof zip-lock license holder for about a buck at Walmart. It's just big enough to hold a driver's license, a hunting/fishing license and a debit card (or at least that's what goes in mine when I'm canoeing). And I would assume the answer is to your question is YES - they can check your driver's/hunting/fishing licenses electronically, too, but I'll you'd get your @ss in a helluva' crack if you didn't carry 'em, right? Same should apply to the boating thing, IMO.

Yeah....but that forces me to spend a WHOLE dollar, 100 pennies, 4 quarters, 20 nickels, or 10 dimes to protect something I don't even want in the first place....a stupid boating license lol You're probably right about the last sentence though.

[gjohnsoniv]

Timestepper, number 8 on your lists seems mighty appropriate to you and all of your past adventures.

[DaveS]

The Cumberland is coming up toward "Summer Pool" (finaly). While out boating, please be aware of floating debris!

Dave

Edited May 17, 2012 by wd-40

[Fourtyfive]

The Cumberland is coming up toward "Summer Pool" (finaly). While out boating, please be aware of floating debris!

Dave

How true !