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How much do you know about safe boating?

Jun 7, 2010 | Bryan Brasher | Memphis Commercial Appeal Online

Every time Memphis Coast Guard Auxiliary officer Lanny Oakes holds a safe-boating course at the Schilling Farms YMCA in Collierville, he draws a classroom full of smiling adolescents -- and he's always thrilled to see them.

But just once, Oakes would like to conduct his course for a room filled with students ages 25 to 45.

He says those are the boaters who think they already know it all.
They're the ones least likely to enroll in a safe-boating course and most likely to be involved in a boating accident.

"People from that age group have usually been boating for quite a while, and they know just enough to be dangerous," Oakes said. "The 25- to 45-year-old group is the one most likely to be out there having a good time, having a couple of beers. They're still young enough to think they're going live forever, and sometimes they let their guard down."

Frightening statistics back those claims.

'Worry-free' boaters

According to a report published by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, there were 214 boating accidents statewide in 2005. Nearly half those accidents (103) involved boaters ages 25 to 45, and 48 people from that age bracket lost their lives.

Oakes said boaters from the so-called "worry-free" age bracket often lose themselves in the freedom of the water. They relish being in an environment with no posted speed limits, no deadlines and no time clocks.

Surprisingly, their mishaps usually don't involve rough water or inclement weather.

"Most boating accidents occur on calm days in calm waters," Oakes said. "Someone who has been on the water his whole life will get into a situation that's just a little out of the ordinary, and they panic because they don't know what to do."

Oakes said boaters from the worry-free bracket often behave like drivers ages 16 to 25. They enjoy boating so much that they don't fear potentially dangerous situations like crossing large boat wakes or riding on the stern or bow of the boat.

"Boating is fun, it's relaxing," Oakes said. "People relax and let their guards down, and bad things can happen."

All of those seemingly elementary items are covered in the safe-boating course.

Back to school

Most safe boating courses last eight hours and cover a wide variety of topics from navigation to distress signals and what to do if your boat capsizes. At the end of the course, participants must pass a proctored exam to earn a safe-boating certificate.

A new Tennessee law passed in 2005 mandates boater education for anyone born after 1989 -- and TWRA is now writing citations to enforce the law. That's one of the reasons Oakes sees so many youngsters in his safe-boating classes.

But he wants people to understand the classes are open to everyone -- including self-proclaimed "boating experts" from the worry-free bracket.

"Right now, we see adults occasionally," Oakes said. "Sometimes you'll see someone who has bought a new boat, and they want to take a course before they take the boat out. Sometimes parents will stay and take the course with their kids. But we would love to see more."

Oakes said many adults shy from the courses because they don't like the idea of "being the oldest kid in the class" with a large group of kids. Others shy away because they have a genuine fear of taking tests.

But they should overcome their fears, he said, because the benefits outweigh the rewards.

"Not only can you pick up information that might save your life someday, but most boat insurers offer discounts of 5 to 10 percent for boaters who have successfully completed a safe-boating course," Oakes said. "Honestly, what do you have to lose?"