Be safe on the waterfront Published July 3, 2014 By Mark Weaver 94th Airlift Wing Safety Office DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Each year hundreds of lives are lost... thousands are injured... and millions of dollars of property damage occurs because of preventable recreational boating accidents on U.S. waterways. Too often pleasure outings turn tragic. You -- as a boat operator, passenger, or concerned individual -- can make a difference. - Wear a life jacket The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of over 80 percent of boating fatality victims - Receive proper boating safety instructions. Operator errors account for 70% of boating accidents -- take a course - Don't drink and operate boating equipment on the water - Size matters. Know the length and type of boat you are operating - Watch and protect children while on the water Have a happy and safe summer!
