• Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor

Hartselle Enquirer
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Public Records
  • Madison County Record
  • Madison Living Magazine
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • About Us
  • List of Locations
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a News Tip
  • Submit a Photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Engagement Announcement
  • Wedding Announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letter to the Editor
    Hartselle Enquirer
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
    Safe Boating: It’s Smart- It’s The Law
    Tis the season for safe boating. Local waterways fill up this time of year as boating accidents become a common occurrence, but most can be avoided by safe boating habits. Photo Contributed
    Business, FRONT PAGE FEATURED, Lifestyles, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Sports, Z - News Main
     By  Bob Labbe Published 
    7:34 pm Thursday, June 18, 2020

    Safe Boating: It’s Smart- It’s The Law

    MADISON- As stay-at-home COVID-19 restrictions continue to relax, boaters are beginning to exit their confinements and hit the local waterways, which can mean added traffic on the local waters and more chances for accidents to occur. The Alabama Marine Patrol is busy fortifying its presence on the recreational landscape and urge boaters of all ages to “Boat smart from the start and wear your life jacket.”

    Most boating fatalities are the result of capsizing or falls overboard when the victims were not wearing a life jacket. Expect the unexpected and wear a life jacket as the life saving device will not work, if it’s not worn.

    In 2019, Alabama had 101 reported accidents, 25 of which were fatal with 28 total number of deaths and 58 additional injuries. The total amount of property damage was over three quarters of a million dollars.

    Practice Safe Boating And Wear Life Jacket- Friend For Life

    The Alabama Marine Patrol urges boaters to practice safe and courteous boating practices, by being aware of your surroundings in and out of the water, know the laws of the waterway and be considerate to other boaters, especially in heavily traveled areas.

    Above all, wear your life jacket and follow the rule of a life jacket for each person onboard the vessel. The Alabama Marine Patrol stress the fact a “life jacket is your friend for life.”

    One of the factors on local waterways that many forget are the wakes water vessels of all sizes make. First and foremost, wakes endanger other crafts or individuals in the water. Secondly, wakes can cause property damage on the water or on nearby shore.

    There are more boaters on the waterways than ever before as crafts have become more affordable. More people causes more need to know responsibilities. More than 85-percent of deaths on waterways featured those people not wearing a floating device. Having life jackets on a vessel is just one of many rules of the water that each boater should know when traveling onto the fun waters of the area.

    Be Smart-Be Responsible

    Summer outings on the lakes and rivers of the Tennessee Valley should be a fun and enjoyable time for all who venture onto local waters. Knowing and observing the rules on the water are the most important ways to assure a safe experience on the water. Check safety equipment before you leave for the water. Most don’t think about a vessel’s fire extinguisher. Those go bad over time and can be compromised by the summer heat and the vibration of being on the waterway.

    The most important item to remember in regards to boating safety is use common sense. Anyone being towed on skis or a tube, riding a Jet Ski or Sea Doo, or boating within 800 feet below a dam must wear a life jacket.

    Alcohol Use- Contributing Factor

    Over the last five years there have been a reported 28 deaths across Alabama waterways as result of alcohol being the contributing factor.

    On average, 700 boaters across the United States die each year in boating accidents with many of those stemming from alcohol abuse, which is the single biggest cause of accidents on local waterways. Intoxication from too much alcohol consumption causes a person to lose the ability to operate a water vessel or be safe overall. Being impaired causes loss of balance as it is one of the first things you lose when you consume alcohol, and when you combine this with the rocking of the boat, many times the chances of falling overboard increases dramatically.

    Alabama Marine Patrol officers found most of those intoxicated boaters have the sense of its all about ‘me’ and forget they are endangering others. Many show lack of courtesy, which goes back to the ‘me’ attitude.

    Safe boating classes for those skills needed to assure the local waterways remain safe are currently available on-line via the Alabama Marine Patrol. Boating license information and education classes are available at boat-ed.com/Alabama.

    Boating Facts And Figures

    In 2019, the U.S. Coast Guard counted 4,168 accidents that involved 613 deaths as a result of recreational boating accidents. Here are more facts to know on safe boating:

    • Deaths on waterways in the U.S. decreased 3.2-percent from 2018-2019
    • 79-percent of fatal boating accident victims drowned- 86-percent were not wearing a life jacket
    • Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents
    • The most common vessel types involved in accidents was open motorboats
    • The highest percentage of deaths were open motorboats
    Also on The Madison Record
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    A: Main, Events, Lifestyles, ...
    Lemonade Stand for St. Jude
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    KADIE VICK kadie@themadisonrecord.com 
    July 10, 2025
    MADISON - Two local girls in fifth and sixth grade are selflessly using time during their summer break to raise money for a great cause. Landri Kruse ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    Bob Labbe 
    July 9, 2025
    HARVEST - With his sights set on attending college within weeks, Joe Quez Keith has a major event he has prepped for that has occupied his entire summ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    A: Main, Events, Lifestyles, ...
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut this Saturday in Madison with Little Booths Market Day. Little Boot...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Quamae Jackson’s job carries personal importance in his life. Teachers and staff at Discovery Middle School selected Jackson as “Staff Membe...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Mill Creek Elementary School is home to numerous toxophilites . . . but there’s no cause for alarm. In fact, the campus is fortunate to have...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Madison City Chess League youth augment skills at summer meets
    Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
    Madison City Chess League youth augment skills at summer meets
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Chess players can avoid the ‘summer slide’ and keep their skills sharpened with numerous tournaments across Alabama and in other states. “Ar...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Shakespeare in the Garden returns to Huntsville Botanical Garden
    Events, Lifestyles, Madison County Record, ...
    Shakespeare in the Garden returns to Huntsville Botanical Garden
    Annual tradition making Shakespeare’s plays accessible
    Maria Rakoczy 
    July 9, 2025
    HUNTSVILLE - A midsummer night’s dream becomes reality with Huntsville Shakespeare. Set to a backdrop of golden hour at the amphitheater at the Huntsv...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Hallman, Auffenorde, Bartley and therapeutic art set for Blue Apple Books in July
    Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Hallman, Auffenorde, Bartley and therapeutic art set for Blue Apple Books in July
    Gregg Parker 
    July 9, 2025
    MADISON – Nail-biting literary drama, self-help and healthy relaxation are on the July schedule at Blue Apple Books. Alabama author Jennifer Hallman o...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Get Legals or Public Notices Published
    Latest Local News
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    Madison girls planning annual Lemonade for St. Jude on July 12
    MADISON - Two local girls in fifth and sixth grade are selflessly using time during their summer break to raise money for a great cause. Landri Kruse ...
    July 10, 2025
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    HARVEST - With his sights set on attending college within weeks, Joe Quez Keith has a major event he has prepped for that has occupied his entire summ...
    July 9, 2025
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    Little Booths Market Day will debut at The Grove Church July 12
    MADISON – A special event for young, aspiring entrepreneurs and vendors will debut this Saturday in Madison with Little Booths Market Day. Little Boot...
    July 9, 2025
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    Discovery recognizes Quamae Jackson as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
    MADISON – Quamae Jackson’s job carries personal importance in his life. Teachers and staff at Discovery Middle School selected Jackson as “Staff Membe...
    July 9, 2025
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    Mill Creek archers qualify for World Archery Tournament
    MADISON – Mill Creek Elementary School is home to numerous toxophilites . . . but there’s no cause for alarm. In fact, the campus is fortunate to have...
    July 9, 2025

    More Local News

    Our Latest E-edition
    Read the most recent edition
    Latest Stories
    Flow&Grow hosts second Flow Jam on July 26
    Flow&Grow hosts second Flow Jam on July 26
    HUNTSVILLE - Huntsville Flow&Grow provides a community for locals who practice flow arts with weekly meetings and an upcoming Flow Jam. “I was rea...
    July 9, 2025
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    HUNTSVILLE - For eight consecutive days, the top under 16 girls tennis players in the United States will spring to action at the Athletic Club of Alab...
    July 9, 2025
    Declining gas prices buck annual trend and earlier expectations
    Declining gas prices buck annual trend and earlier expectations
    MADISON - Bucking earlier expectations for mid-summer, gas prices have continued to decline. Even though the cost for gas locally has risen some since...
    July 8, 2025
    Limestone Co. Sheriff’s Office: Violent felon arrested with weapon, stolen identities in multi-state fraud case
    Limestone Co. Sheriff’s Office: Violent felon arrested with weapon, stolen identities in multi-state fraud case
    LIMESTONE COUNTY - According to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, a Birmingham man with a violent criminal history was arrested after detectives ...
    July 8, 2025
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    poll
    Latest Sports
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    Sparkman track star qualifies for AAU Junior Olympic Games
    HARVEST - With his sights set on attending college within weeks, Joe Quez Keith has a major event he has prepped for that has occupied his entire summ...
    July 9, 2025
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    USTA U16 Girls Clay Court Nationals set for Huntsville
    HUNTSVILLE - For eight consecutive days, the top under 16 girls tennis players in the United States will spring to action at the Athletic Club of Alab...
    July 9, 2025
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Exclusive: Movie planned on life of baseball’s Jose Canseco
    Editor’s note: Former Major League Baseball superstar Jose Canseco spoke exclusively with Bob Labbe of the Madison Record about the former All-Star’s ...
    July 2, 2025
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    Mitch Daly on the move: Former Bob Jones standout moving from Trash Pandas to 66ers
    MADISON- The Rocket City Trash Pandas has made a series of player moves including Mitch Daly. The Bob Jones High graduate and only local player to sui...
    June 18, 2025
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    MADISON - Since birth, Mitch Daly has always been on the move as his father, Ed, is a four-star general in the U.S. Army causing him to pack up his wi...
    May 26, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Business
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Business
      • Sponsored Content

    Other Publications

    Madison Living Logo Living 50 Plus Logo

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , The Madison Record