Scuttlebutt Magazine - June 2008 - (Page 8)

Page 8 • June 2008 www.scuttlebutt.com Boating accidents decline in 35 states over the last five years As National Safe Boating Week kicked off (May 17-23), the Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) released an analysis of boating safety data showing that the number of boating accidents has decreased in 35 states from 2002 to 2006. In fact, the decline in boating accidents in 22 states exceeds the five year national decline of 13 percent. Vermont (83 percent decrease) and Hawaii (71 percent decrease) ranked first and second for the most improved boating safety record. Florida and California, the states with the most registered boats, each saw a 24 percent decrease. According to the U.S. Coast Guard data PWIA used in its analysis, accidents involving personal watercraft (PWC) have declined 31 percent over the same five year period. Still, because most boating accidents are preventable, PWIA reminds boaters of steps they can take to improve boating safety in their states. “Most boating accidents are preventable if boaters take steps individually to avoid them,” said Maureen Healey, executive director of the Personal Watercraft Industry Association. Healey is also a member of the Board of Directors of the National Safe Boating Council. “Taking a boating safety class, wearing a life jacket, operating your boat defensively to avoid collisions, and boating sober are all steps that every boater can take that will prevent an enjoyable day from becoming a tragedy,” Healey said. Coast Guard data shows that nine out of 10 boating fatality victims who drowned in 2006 were not wearing a life jacket. PWIA attributes boating safety improvements to many factors, including industry efforts to promote safe and responsible boating behavior. The personal watercraft industry has also helped enact laws at the state level that are effective in reducing accidents. These laws require PWC operators to pass an approved boating safety class, be at least 16 years old (18 to rent), operate PWC only during daylight hours; the law also establishes no-wake zones within 100 feet of shore or swimmers and punishes reckless operators. Education is especially critical. In 2006, there were a total of 710 boating fatalities nationwide, nearly three-quarters of which occurred on boats where the operator had not taken a boating safety course. The leading causes of boating accidents are all operatorcontrolled, such as inexperience, inattention, and excessive speed. The leading types of accidents include collisions with other vessels and collisions with fixed objects such as docks or channel markers. Thirty-two of the 35 states that have lowered the number of boating accidents in the last five years have some type of mandatory boater education law. For instance, Florida requires all boaters 21 years of age and younger to pass an approved boating course. Since the law was enacted in late 1996, the total number of boating accidents has decreased approximately 48 percent though the number of registered boats increased by 24 percent. Meanwhile, accidents involving personal watercraft in the state have declined by 76 percent. PWIA recommends that boaters of all ages and levels of experience enroll in a class this boating season. Boating safety courses are available through many organizations, including the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons. A PWC class is offered free online at www.PWCsafetyschool.c om. Boaters should contact their state boating law agency for more information about where and when these courses are available. In addition to taking a boating safety course, PWIA recommends boaters take the following steps to improve safety on the water and help make sure that a day of boating starts and ends well: 1. Always wear a life jacket (and wetsuit bottoms in the case of personal watercraft); 2. Learn and follow all local navigation rules; 3. Stay sober and never boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and 4. Get a vessel safety inspection (offered free by many local organizations, it assures boats are equipped with proper safety gear and the vessel is in “sea worthy” condition). We've Lowered Our Boat Insurance Rates! ADVANCE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. Jerry Poland, CIC • Dawn Poland Excellent Rates for Marinas & Boat Dealers too! • Yachts • Commercial Insurance • Executive Home & Auto • Marina & Boat Dealer Insurance 5241 Viking Drive Edina, MN 55435 Phone: 952-842-1136 Fax: 952-842-1161 Toll Free: 1-877-398-3805 jpoland@advanceins.com www.advanceins.com ST. CROIX YACHT SALES, 1998 52’ Bluewater 520 Twin 502s, air, gen, many electronics, Transom lift $264,900 Our 16th Year in the Same Location 116 Buckeye St, Hudson, WI INC. 1998 27’ Monterey 276 7.4 Volvo Duo-Prop, Aluminum Trailer Toll Free Metro 651-436-4454 • 715-386-8066 • Fax 715-386-8175 1999 28’ Sea Ray 280 SS 7.4 Mercruiser MPI, Large Cockpit Seating $46,900 Toll Free: 866-364-0678 www.stcroixyachtsales.com 52’ 45’ 42’ 41’ 41’ 39’ 39’ 39’ 38’ 38’ 36’ 36’ 35’ 34’ 34’ 33’ 33’ 32’ 32’ 32’ 31’ 30’ 28’ 28’ 28’ 27’ 26’ 26’ 26’ 26’ 26’ 25’ 25’ 25’ 25’ 23’ 15’ 1998 1995 1991 1972 1967 2006 1994 1994 1989 1981 1988 1988 1980 1989 2000 1989 1980 1997 1986 1986 1999 1975 1992 1999 1976 1998 1984 1983 1985 1985 2001 1973 1985 1979 1977 1988 2004 Bluewater 5200, Tw 502s, Many Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ Sea Ray 450 DA, Tw Cat Diesel, air, gen, full elect. . . . . . . . . .$ Carver Aft Cabin MY, Tw 300 Cummins, hardtop . . . . . . . . . . . .$ Chris Craft 410 MY, Twin 454, air, gen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ Hatteras MY, Tw. 440 Chryslers, air, gen, Classic . . . . . . . . . . .$ Rinker 390 Express, Tw 496 Merc, hardtop, air, gen, 40 hours .$ Carver 390 Cockpit MY, Twin 390, air, gen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ Trojan 390 Express, Twin 454, air, gen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ Sea Ray Aft Cabin, Tw 340s, air, gen, Clean! 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$44,900 1986 32’ Carver Aft Cabin Twin 5.7 inboards, 318 hours, dual station, great condition $37,900 1997 32 Carver Aft Cabin Tw 5.7, Factory Air, Gen, Hard top, Flawless $89,900 2001 26 Monterey 262 5.7 Mercruiser Bravo III, Tandem Trailer $33,500 1981 38’ Gulfstar Diesel Motoryacht, Twin Perkins, gen, air, unique $99,900 1999 31’ Sea Ray Sundancer Twin 5.7 Mercruiser, low hours, camper top $82,900 1989 33’ Trojan 10 Meter Exp Twin 454, A/C $49,900 1988 36’ Carver Mariner Twin 7.4, air, gen, new canvas, low hours, roomy floorplan $64,900 42 1991 Carver Aft Cabin MY, Twin 300 Cummins diesel, Hardtop, low hours , $209,900 1994 39’ Trojan Express Twin 454, air, gen, TNT Lift, Look at price! $79,900 HOUSEBOATS 43’ 1988 Harbor Master, Twin 270, air, gen, Excellent Condition . . . . . . .$ 37’ 1979 Carlcraft, 7.4 MerCruiser, air, gen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ YACHT & BOAT BROKERAGE http://www.scuttlebutt.com http://www.advanceins.com http://www.advanceins.com http://www.stcroixyachtsales.com http://www.stcroixyachtsales.com

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Scuttlebutt Magazine - June 2008

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