Safe Celebrations on Missouri`s Waterways on Memorial Day
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Twenty-four people were injuried and one person died in boating accidents last Memorial Day weekend. In an effort to keep those numbers down this big boating weekend Missouri`s Water Patrol reminds boaters of the "nautical" rules of the road. Memorial Day weekend means a busy and bumpy day at the office for Kimberly Davis and the rest of Missouri`s Water Patrol. Officer Kimberly Davis said, "A lot of people don`t really know who we are or what we do." What the Water Patrol does is keep an eye on you and your passengers` safety. "We`re making sure boats are obeying buoyes, that skiers flags are displayed, that waverunners aren`t operating too close to a boat. There`s a wide variety of stuff we look for." Davis also takes on quite a few tasks. Water Patrol officers are also trained as emergency responders. Davis said, "Unfortunately we get a lot of calls and people don`t know where they are at on the lake which makes it very hard for us to find them." Davis recommends grabbing a lake map and programming emergency numbers into your cell phone. She also says pay attention to landmarks and milemarkers along the water. Boaters also need to pay attention to lake traffic. Davis said, "Never drive faster than water conditions. If there are a lot of boats you need to go slower and always look before you turn." She said, "There`s a lot going on around you. It`s not like a highway there`s not dotted line." Just because there`s no dotted line doesn`t mean there are no consequences for driving under the influence. Davis said, "Alcohol effects your body three times faster on the water than it does on land. Plus in these conditions you get tired very easy." Davis says that`s why it`s even more important for boaters to have a sober operator. She says safe celebrations make her hectic holiday schedule just a little easier. KQ2 also wants to remind you about a boating law that passed last year. Any boat operator born after 1984 must complete a boating education course before they can operate any motorized vessel. You must keep proof of your completion and a valid I.D. with you at all times.
