Boating Safety Stressed Over July 4th Weekend
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - If your July 4th long holiday weekend plans for spending some time on the water, the U.S. Coast Guard urges you to play it safe.
Various law enforcement agencies will also be conducting safety inspections and boaters shouldn't be surprised they are stopped for a routine check.
One of the most important pieces of safety equipment that should be aboard every vessel is the life jacket. Everyone needs to have a life jacket. Children under the age of six are required to wear them.
"Many times in boating accidents that is your best chance of survival, if you get knocked unconscious, it doesn't matter how strong you can swim, you will go straight to the bottom," said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Captain L. J. Rayes.
Statistics show 90-percent of fatalities on the water are people who were not wearing a life jacket.
In Florida, drinking while boating is a big problem that maritime law enforcement officers want the boating public to be aware of. That's why officers will also be conducting "boating under the influence checks." Those who opt not to follow regulations may face arrest or fines up to $5,000.
Boaters are also urged to stay alert for dive flags. They can be fined $90 for coming too close to a diver.
If you are heading out on the seas, you should:
- Have life jackets
- Share your plan
- Monitor the weather
- Have a designated operator
Boaters planning to catch Monday's big fireworks show off Miami Beach should be aware that there will be a expanded slow speed zone in near downtown Miami in Biscayne Bay.
"The Coast Guard will be enforcing 15 knots max speed limit from 7 p.m. to midnight," said Coast Guard Lt. Ray Heberlid.
A slower speed limit will be in effect from Turkey Point north to the Julia Tuttle Causeway and from Elliot Key west to the shoreline. The speed restriction will be enforced from 7 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. the July Fourth.
The Coast Guard said expanded slow speed area is necessary to protect boaters during the holiday weekend when a significant number of boats are expected to be on the Bay.
"Biscayne Bay is usually not a regulated speed limit zone. But due to the congestion of the vessels expected to be in the Biscayne Bay for the fireworks display, the Coast Guard has established a regulated navigational area to help prevent his speed boat collisions," said Heberlid.
Vessel speed, especially in crossing navigational channels in the darkness, has contributed to incidents resulting in severe injury and death.
On July 4th, 2014, four people were killed and seven injured when two boats while traveling back to the their boat ramp after watching fireworks.
Andrew Garcia, 23, was steering his 32 foot T-topped fishing boat to the marina when he broadsided a 33 foot pleasure craft being piloted by Elias Michael Hanono, 31. Garcia's boat, with no one any longer at the helm, went on to collide with a third vessel.
Among the dead were Garcia, Victoria Dempsey, Kelsie Karpiak and Jason Soleimeni, who was visiting from New York.
Tests showed Garcia had been drinking, but Hanono was cited in the accident. Police say he failed to yield the right of way and had inadequate running lights.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are about 900 thousand vessels floating in Florida's waters and approximately 20% of those vessels have been involved in accidents.
"We want everyone to be safe, everyone to be aware of their surroundings when out on the water," said FWC spokesman Lorenzo Veloz, "But most importantly our goal is education and boating safety."
Last year, 326 people arrested for boating while under the influence, 11 people were killed as a result.