Boating

COLD-WATER BOATING REQUIRES ADDED PRECAUTIONS

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:46:21 GMT

Oct. 27, 2011
Anglers and hunters can protect themselves against hypothermia
PRATT — While pleasure boaters have winterized and stored their watercraft, avid waterfowl hunters and cold-weather anglers are gearing up for fall hunting and fishing seasons. But fall can be a dangerous time on the water. Most single-boat accidents take place this time of year, and with water temperatures cooling, these accidents can be deadly.

One common mistake is overloading a small boat with people and equipment. Overloaded boats are unstable and can easily capsize or cause passengers to fall overboard into frigid water. Sudden immersion into cold water delivers a brutal shock to the body, triggering a spontaneous inhalation reflex — deadly if one’s head is under water. But wearing a life jacket can be enough to keep your head above water during an involuntary gasp, keeping lungs from filling with water.

In addition, the body loses heat 25 times faster in water than in air of the same temperature. Hypothermia begins with shivering and a loss of feeling in the extremities. Within minutes of being immersed in cold water, a person can become confused and lose muscle control. By keeping capsized boaters afloat, life jackets also enable them to conserve energy and get out of the water or be rescued.

The following simple steps can make a cold water boating expedition much safer:

always wear a life jacket — new styles and camouflage patterns, including float coats, make wearing a life jacket much more comfortable;
dress properly for the cold — layered clothing can provide insulation and trap air to hold warmth;
avoid cotton clothing — wool and many synthetic materials are good choices, but cotton wicks cold water in toward the body;
never boat alone; and
let family members or friends know where you’re going and when you plan to return.

Boating can be an excellent way to hunt or fish in cold weather, but be safe. Planning ahead for the possibility of a cold water accident can save a life.
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OPERATION DRY WATER BRINGS FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS TO BOATERS

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:06:29 GMT

June 24-26 are awareness days; operations underway year-round
PRATT — Marine law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal boating agencies — including the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) — will be out in force June 24-26 for Operation Dry Water (ODW), an annual campaign focused on the detection and enforcement of boating under the influence (BUI). A secondary objective is to raise awareness among all boaters that it is unsafe as well as illegal to operate a boat under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

More than 17 percent of boating fatalities result from alcohol use, and KDWP has gotten tougher in recent years in enforcing laws against this high-risk behavior. Operating a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is against Kansas state law. Boaters caught operating under the influence can find their voyage terminated and their vessel impounded. Additionally, penalties can include arrest, fines, and loss of boating privileges.

The effort is timed to give BUI enforcement high visibility before the Fourth of July, perhaps the busiest recreational boating weekend of summer. A new battery of testing standards will, for the first time, allow marine patrol officers to test boaters in a seated position and apply a percentage of probability that the subject is impaired at .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or higher.

For more information on this annual event, go online to operationdrywater.org.
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ALL EYES ON KIDS NEAR WATER

Wed, 25 May 2011 20:17:27 GMT

Safe Kids Kansas campaigns to prevent childhood drowning
TOPEKA — It’s a warm summer day, and you’re at the beach with your kids. Your cell phone rings, and you answer it, shifting your focus from your kids to the conversation. Good idea? Not at all, according to Safe Kids Kansas, a coalition of more than 70 statewide and regional organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children. In fact, taking your eyes off a child near water, however briefly, could be deadly. Children can get into trouble in a matter of seconds around water, so Safe Kids Kansas recommends that parents keep their eyes on their kids at all times when they are in or near the water.

Drowning is the second highest cause of unintentional death for children ages one to four and 10 to 14 in the U.S. And when it comes to water, “the safety of home” is an axiom that does not apply. In fact, most pool submersion deaths and injuries occur at a home pool.

In the U.S., approximately 830 children ages 14 and younger die each year due to unintentional drowning, and there are an estimated 3,600 injuries to children after near-drowning incidents each year. From 2000-2008 there were 129 unintentional injuries from near-drowning related incidents among Kansas kids age 14 and younger. From 2000-2009, there were 73 unintentional drowning-related deaths in Kansans age 14 years and younger. Three-quarters of these deaths were children age three and younger.

“Kids drown quickly and quietly,” says Cherie Sage, state director for Safe Kids Kansas. “A drowning child cannot cry or shout for help. The most important precaution for parents is active supervision. Simply being near your child is not necessarily supervising.”

To help keep kids safe near water, Safe Kids Kansas recommends the following precautions:

actively supervise children in and around water. Don’t leave, even for a moment. Stay where you can see, hear, and reach kids in water. Avoid talking on the phone, preparing a meal, reading, and other distractions;
enroll kids in swimming lessons about age four, but don’t assume swimming lessons make your child immune to drowning. There is no substitute for active supervision;
don’t rely on inflatable swimming toys such as “water wings” and noodles. If a child can’t swim, keep him within arm’s reach;
learn infant and child CPR. In less than two hours, parents can learn effective interventions that can give a fighting chance to a child whose breathing and heartbeat have stopped. Contact a local hospital, fire department, recreation department, or Red Cross office for information about local CPR classes; and
keep rescue equipment, a phone, and emergency numbers by the pool.

Some people bring inflatable and portable pools to state parks, and these guidelines apply to water away from the beach, as well. Even 5-gallon buckets of water can be deadly to a toddler. Such water sources should be emptied and stored out of reach when not in use.

Even a near-drowning incident can have lifelong consequences. Kids who survive a near-drowning may have brain damage, and after four to six minutes under water, the damage is usually irreversible. Although 90 percent of parents say they supervise their children while swimming, many acknowledge that they engage in other distracting activities at the same time — talking, eating, reading, or taking care of another child.

For more information about drowning and water safety, call Safe Kids Kansas at 785-296-0351 or visit www.safekids.org.

And don’t forget boating safety. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks reminds boaters that all youngsters 12 and younger must wear personal flotation devices when onboard. For more information on boating safety, visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, and click “Boating.”
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BOATING INCIDENTS HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR WATER SAFETY

Wed, 04 May 2011 19:52:47 GMT

Two fatalities, two near-misses were all avoidable
PRATT — Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) natural resource officers worked three boating-related incidents in the past week, two of which were fatal. The first incident occurred at Marion Reservoir in Marion County at 1:41 p.m. on Friday, April 29, killing a 70-year-old man when the boat in which he and two other anglers were riding was disabled and swamped by wind-driven, high waves. Wind speeds at the time ranged between 40 and 60 mph with 4- to 5-foot swells on the lake. Two of the anglers were rescued from the water by KDWP natural resource officer (NRO) Marvin Peterson and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff. Those anglers were taken to Hillsboro Cove where they were treated by emergency medical technicians and released.

The victim, Carl C. Elder, Hutchinson, remained missing until 4:25 p.m. when troopers in a Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter spotted his body on the northeast shore of the lake. All three men were wearing life jackets, which prompted officials to elaborate on water-safety precautions

“Check the weather forecast before you set out, and avoid going on the water in high winds,” officer Peterson said. “The National Weather Service issues timely high wind warnings, and small boats offer little protection on windy days, even if there is no official warning. If you get caught in high winds, stay near the closest protected shoreline where the water is shallower and the winds may be less severe. Stay away from the open water. Above all, wear your personal flotation device; it gives you an extra measure of protection if you’re thrown into the water.”

The second incident occurred at Hillsdale Lake in Miami County at 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 1. In that accident, William Ure, 54, from Independence, Mo., died when he attempted to start the motor on his jon boat while it was in gear. The boat lurched forward, and he was thrown overboard. His wife and two family members tried to paddle the disabled boat toward Ure, without success. The incident occurred near the Marysville Boat Ramp on the east side of the lake. A boater at the ramp heard the family’s calls and helped get Ure into the boat, then towed the boat to emergency responders waiting at the ramp.

Staff from the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Miami County EMS, and South Johnson County Fire Department attempted to revive Ure, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a life jacket. NRO Lt. David Ellis reported that of the five life jackets on board the victim’s boat, only one was properly sized and usable, but it wasn’t being worn.

“It’s important to have properly-sized life jackets in good condition for all passengers to wear,” Ellis said. “In addition, be certain to know, understand, and follow the proper procedures for starting and operating boat motors. These kinds of precautions can go a long way toward preventing tragedies like this.”

The third incident occurred about 9 a.m. Monday, May 2, at Elk City Reservoir in Montgomery County. Two contractor employees repainting the spillway gates tried to use an aluminum jon boat to approach a partially-closed gate that was blocked by debris when their boat got caught in heavy turbulence near the gate. One man jumped from the boat, was sucked under the gate and surfaced on the other side, where he swam to shore. As the boat capsized, the second worker held onto a safety rope hanging from the gate tower and attempted to fight the turbulent water. After about 10 minutes, he fell into the water and was sucked under the gate, also surfacing on the other side. Cold and exhausted, he was rescued from the water by a KDWP officer and other emergency responders. A coworker who had witnessed the incident from the tower and called 911 also aided in the rescue.

The first worker was examined at the scene by emergency medical staff and refused further treatment. The second worker was transported to an Independence hospital where he was treated and released. According to Ryan Walker, KDWP NRO for Montgomery County, the fact that both men were wearing life jackets may have prevented another tragedy.

“Although the circumstances were unusual, this incident illustrates the importance of wearing proper life jackets,” Walker explained. “If these men had not been wearing their life preservers, the outcome of this situation might have been fatal. It’s also important to be aware of hazardous conditions created by turbulent water at spillway gates and river weirs.”

For more information on boating safety, visit the KDWP boating page online at www.kdwp.state.ks.us
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SAFETY FIRST WHEN ON THE WATER

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:42:34 GMT

Boaters reminded of laws, safety rules that could save a life
PRATT — It’s springtime, and outdoor recreational users are taking to the water. Fishing, skiing, tubing, sailing, and paddle sports are common activities people enjoy while boating on Kansas waters. With the new season, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reminds recreational enthusiasts that safety equipment, attention to rules, and properly-maintained equipment help make a safe and enjoyable trip.

The most valuable piece of equipment for both swimmers and boaters is the personal flotation device (PFD), commonly known as a life jacket. “Of the six boating-related fatalities that occurred in 2010, all were from drowning, and none of the victims wore a life jacket,” says Dan Hesket, boating law administrator for KDWP. “These tragedies illustrate the importance of obtaining and wearing a proper life jacket. New designs of life jackets, including inflatable designs, eliminate common excuses for not wearing them. These new PFDs are comfortable, fashionable, and designed to reduce any restrictions while moving around.”

Attending or completing an approved boating safety course is also highly recommended and is required for any person between the ages of 12 and 20 who wishes to operate a vessel (PWC, power boat, sailboat) without direct, on-board supervision. In addition, no one under the age of 12 may operate a vessel without direct, on-board supervision regardless of boater education certification. Information on courses may be found at the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. Just click “Boating/Boating Education.” This course provides information on types of equipment required on vessels, as well as others suggested to make the outing as safe as possible.

Many people are unaware that there are operating rules for boats on the water, which include being able to recognize buoy markings and the proper use of navigation lights. Knowledge of these rules can prevent dangerous, even deadly, situations.

Safety on the water is not all that is covered in a boating education course. Before turning the key, letting down the sail, or controlling a paddle, you must first get the boat to the water. Most of this involves the use of a trailer. Proper trailer inspections cover wheel bearings, trailer lights, winch straps, structural integrity of trailers, and properly-working trailer hitches.

Motorized boats and sailboats are required to be registered and properly numbered before operated on public waters of Kansas. Original registration papers must be on board and made available for inspection. Upon sale of a boat, the registration must be properly transferred to the new owner before it can be legally operated on public waters.

For more information on boating safety and boating laws, phone KDWP at 620-672-5911 and ask for Boater Education.
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CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO LOWER JOHN REDMOND RESERVOIR

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:55:02 GMT

Search for drowning victim prompts lowering of lake level
TULSA — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that the lake level at John Redmond Reservoir is being lowered approximately 2 feet below normal conservation pool level to help facilitate recovery efforts of a drowning victim missing since Dec. 4, 2010. Current releases are 5,000 cubic feet per second, and the drawdown is expected to be completed by late Jan. 5 or early Thursday, Jan 6.

Increased flows downstream of the dam will cause Neosho River levels to rise quickly. Recreational users of the lake should also be aware because lower than normal lake elevations may expose boating hazards around the lake that may have been submerged with normal water elevations. Boaters are urged to use caution while launching boats and while on the lake.

For more information about current lake levels, visit the Water Control Data System or the daily report link under the Lakes and River Information section of the Corps of Engineers Tulsa District website, www.swt.usace.army.mil.
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CAUTION ADVISED FOR BOATERS THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:32:33 GMT

High water can be dangerous for boaters

PRATT – Boating is a July 4^th holiday tradition with many Kansans, and the officials at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks are stressing safety this weekend. Law Enforcement Division assistant director Dan Hesket wants park visitors to enjoy the holiday but emphasizes the need for boaters to use caution.

“Holiday weekends are usually busy with boaters on our lakes, and natural resource officers will be there to enforce boating laws and keep waters safe,” Hesket said. “However, high-water levels at some lakes will require boaters to use extra caution this weekend.”

Hesket warns boaters to watch for the following:

Floating debris – Debris such as timber or logs can be difficult to detect. High winds will push the debris to various locations.
Muddy water – Rising water levels often increase turbidity. Muddy water can make a floating log or a large rock just under the surface difficult to see.
Items that have dislodged because of the rising water -- If campsites are flooded, equipment such as picnic tables can become hazards and may even be washed away from shore.
Buoys off mark – Be aware that buoys may have been pulled away from their original anchor. Use caution when boating in unfamiliar waters.

Hesket added that boats must be equipped with an approved personal floatation device (PFD) for each person on board and that PFDs be readily accessible. Persons 12 and younger must wear a PFD while on board or being towed.

For more information on boating safety, click here.

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MAINTENANCE FIRST STEP TO BOATING SAFETY

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:52:31 GMT

Preventive maintenance helps ensure a safe, fun day on the lake
PRATT — It's springtime in the Sunflower State, and boaters and fishermen are lining up at boat ramps to enjoy the state's abundant fishing and boating opportunities. But the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) advises boaters to make sure their watercraft are "seaworthy" before taking to the water. A miserable, perhaps even dangerous day on the lake can be avoided with some simple but important preventive maintenance procedures.

Now’s the time to prepare boat and trailer for a trouble-free season. Follow these simple steps, and you can ensure that everything works properly and all safety gear is in order. Not only will you have more fun, but you and your family will be safer.

Outboard motor — Replace the lower unit grease. Grease all zerks on the motor, and make sure the steering mechanism is lubricated and working smoothly. Clean or replace spark plugs and make sure they are gapped to specifications. Check all fuel lines for wear, cracks, and leaks. A small leak in any fuel line is a serious fire hazard. If you have portable gas tanks, replace old gas. If you have a built-in tank, it’s a good idea to use a fuel stabilizer while the boat is stored. Remove the prop and check for nicks or gouges. Remove any old fishing line or weeds that may have wrapped on the shaft. Grease the shaft and replace the cotter pin on the shaft nut.

It’s also common sense to start the motor before that first trip to the lake. You can start the motor in your driveway if you have a pair of motor muffs, which attach to a garden hose and force water into your motor’s water intake ports. This allows you to run the motor at low RPMs and tune if necessary. Never start your motor dry. If your engine is oil injected, fill the oil reservoir and test the temperature warning signal device.

Trailer — Grease the wheel hubs. Check the tires for weathering and proper inflation. Check wire connections and make sure all lights work. Lubricate the trailer winch and check the winch strap for wear. Make sure the hitch is sound and safety chains are in place. Check the ball and tighten if necessary.

Batteries — Batteries should have been charged every 30 days throughout the winter. Inspect and clean all battery connections. Water levels should be checked in each cell, and batteries should be fully charged before the first trip. Check the batteries several days before a trip to make sure they are holding a charge.

Electrical gear — Go through a quick check of all bilge pumps and electrical gauges. Tighten any loose connections and secure wire harnesses.

Safety Gear — Inspect all life jackets and throwable cushions. They must be in good working condition to be legal. Replace any that have become worn or water-soaked. Check the fire extinguisher for proper charge. Be sure a sound-making device is on board or that the horn works. Test the boat lights, clean connections, and replace bulbs if needed. It's also important to make sure your boating registration is up to date. These items not only ensure safety while on the water, they are state law.

In addition to these items, boaters should keep on board a spare drain plug, first aid kit, anchor, paddle, tool kit, electrical tape and wire connectors, variety of spare fuses, extra two-cycle oil, spare trailer light bulbs, and extra life jackets.

And don't forget boater education. Any person born on or after Jan. 1, 1989, must complete an approved boater safety education course in order to operate a motorboat or sailboat on public waters in Kansas. This requirement does not apply to a person accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a person age 17 or older who either possesses a certificate of completion of an approved boater safety education course or is legally exempt from the requirement. Courses are offered in three different formats: traditional classroom, home study, or internet based. For details on boating education courses, boating laws and regulations, and all things related to Kansas boating, click "Boating" on the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. More information may also be obtained by phoning KDWP's boating education coordinator, Erika Nighswonger, at 620-672-0770 or emailing erikan@wp.state.ks.us.
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STATE OF COLORADO PLANS MANDATORY BOAT INSPECTIONS

Wed, 13 May 2009 20:37:26 GMT

Kansas boaters traveling to Colorado will be checked for aquatic nuisance species

Kansas boaters traveling to Colorado should anticipate being inspected this year as new regulations designed to prevent the spread of zebra and quagga mussels take effect for the 2009 boating season, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) reports. These regulations, drafted by Colorado State Parks in collaboration with the DOW and the boating community, are integral to the statewide effort to prevent the further spread of zebra/quagga mussels and other aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in Colorado's lakes and reservoirs.

All nonresident boats and Colorado boats that go out-of-state and return to Colorado must pass a state-certified inspection for ANS prior to launching in any Colorado lake, reservoir, or waterway. In addition, boats that have launched on any of the Colorado lakes or reservoirs where mussels have been detected are required to pass an inspection before launching at a new location. Boaters who have successfully passed a state-certified inspection will receive a green seal and receipt. Boaters must have both the seal and receipt in their possession before they may launch at a new location.

The Division of Wildlife, Colorado State Parks, county and municipal reservoirs, and a variety of private marine dealers and marinas offer state-certified inspection and decontamination services throughout the state. All DOW and state parks inspection sites are free-of-charge. Privately-operated inspection and decontamination services are fee-based, and prices may vary among providers.

In addition to fixed inspections sites, the DOW will implement "Roving Patrols." The roving units will move to a different location daily, offering inspection and decontamination services (if necessary) and ensuring that boaters are complying with the new regulations. The new regulations limit inspections to trailered watercraft.

Hand-launched crafts -- including kayaks, rafts, canoes, and belly boats -- are not considered high risk for spreading ANS and may launch without an inspection.

The Colorado regulations fall in line with recommendations issued to Kansas boaters by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. According to the DOW, all boaters should remember the following steps to ensure they are not spreading mussels or other ANS to clean waters:

clean the hull of the vessel;
drain the water from the vessel, live well and the lower unit of the engine;
dry the vessel, fishing gear and other equipment;
inspect all exposed surfaces; and
remove all plant and animal material.

More detailed procedures for cleaning boats and ensuring that ANS are not spread may be found on the KDWP website.

Colorado law prohibits the possession or transport of any ANS in Colorado. Wildlife officers, parks officials, and other qualified peace officers may stop, inspect, decontaminate, and detain watercraft upon a “reasonable belief” that mussels or other ANS are present.

To view a comprehensive list of Colorado-certified watercraft inspection sites, visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s website.

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ZEBRA MUSSEL INFESTATIONS THREATEN DOWNSTREAM WATERS

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:22:30 GMT

"Clean, drain, dry" keys to prevention; online video demonstrates prevention techniques

Last summer, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Marion Reservoir. While the implications of this discovery are bad news for Marion, anglers and boaters need to be aware that the threat is not isolated to this lake.

Water from Marion Reservoir spills into the Cottonwood River, which in turn flows eastward toward John Redmond Reservoir, southeast of Emporia. From John Redmond, water is pumped into Coffey County Lake. Thus, zebra mussels from Marion Reservoir, about 50 miles north of Wichita in central Kansas, could threaten waters throughout the entire Neosho River Basin in southeast Kansas.

In addition to Marion, zebra mussels have spread to five other Kansas lakes (Lake Afton, Winfield City Lake, and Cheney, El Dorado, and Perry reservoirs), with John Redmond Reservoir and Coffey County Lake pending further tests. Other than downstream movement, much of this spread is due to careless human activity.

“Understanding the connection of river systems in Kansas clearly illustrates the danger of infesting just one body of water in the state with zebra mussels," says Jason Goeckler, aquatic nuisance species specialist for KDWP. "It's extremely frustrating because the spread of mussels can be prevented. Zebra mussels spread to lakes compounds the risk of downstream movement. All it takes is one irresponsible lake user to transport mussels from an infested lake to another water body. This occurrence is especially troubling because of the threat to the Cottonwood River, the Neosho River, and their tributaries, as well as all the people who use this river for water supply."

Goeckler emphasizes that it is "absolutely critical" that all boaters and anglers take necessary precautions to contain any future infestation of zebra mussels. His mantra for prevention involves three simple steps -- "clean, drain, and dry."

The following are steps to avoid transporting mussels from infested lakes to other waters:

never move fish or water from one body of water to another;
empty bait buckets on dry land, not into lakes;
inspect boats, trailers, skis, anchors, and all other equipment and remove any visible organisms and vegetation; and
wash equipment and boat with hot (140-degree) water, a 10 percent chlorine-and-water solution, or dry for at least five days to remove or kill species that are not visible.

The potential impact of zebra mussels on fisheries can be profound. Zebra mussels eat by filtering microscopic food from the water. Young fish and native mussels rely on this same microscopic food to survive.

Economic impacts are as grim as ecosystem impacts. Due to zebra mussels in intake/discharge pipes, municipalities, utilities, and industries have incurred significant costs associated with monitoring, cleaning, and controlling infestations. According to a recent economic impact study, nationwide expenditures to control zebra mussels in water intake pipes, water filtration equipment, and electric generating plants are estimated at $1 billion per year. Power generation alone expends $145 million per year. These costs are usually passed along to customers.

What’s more, zebra mussels also have very sharp shells that can cut the unprotected skin of people and animals. Federal legislation has been passed to help prevent the spread of zebra mussels. If an individual is caught transporting live zebra mussels into Kansas, they may face up to six months in jail and fines up to $5,000.

KDWP photographer Mike Blair has recorded a two-minute instructional video to demonstrate the steps required to prevent further aquatic nuisance species (ANS) spread. The video shows just how easy it is for boaters to follow the three simple steps -- "clean, drain, dry" -- that only take about five minutes. More detailed information on stopping the spread of zebra mussels is also included.

To view the video, go to KDWP TV, then click on "Checking for Zebra Mussels." For more information on aquatic nuisance species, phone Goeckler at 620-342-0658 or email jasong@wp.state.ks.us.

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