KATHERINE LANDING - National Park Service officials reported 149 boating accidents, and four boating fatalities on Lake Mohave and Lake Mead in 2005. A new partnership hopes to reduce these numbers.Accidents on Lake Mohave and Lake Mead were addressed at the Los Angeles Boat Show Tuesday. The program is called the “Lake Mead Safe Boating Partnership.”
The National Park Service, California Department of Boating and Waterways, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Arizona Game and Fish Department and Personal Watercraft Industry Association created the partnership to promote safe boating practices among boaters who visit Lake Mohave and Lake Mead.
“Approximately 8 to 10 million visitors come to Lake mead National Recreation Area each year,” said Bill ****inson, Lake Mead National Recreation Area superintendent, in to a press release from the new partnership. “Fortunately, most boaters have an enjoyable time free of any incidents, but even one boating tragedy is one too many, especially because most boating accidents are completely avoidable. Because so many of our boaters are from California, Arizona and Nevada, it made perfect sense for all of us to join forces.”
About half of all visitors come from out of state to visit Lake Mohave and Lake Mead, according the release. Because each state has its own set of boating laws, the new partnership advised boaters to “play it safe” by following the strictest of guidelines, which include wearing a lifejacket at all times, always taking a boating safety course before leaving the dock or marina and never operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Boating laws for California, Nevada and Arizona are summarized, and can be reviewed at
www.boatcoloradoriver.com and
www.boatlakemead.com
Most drownings involve boaters who aren't wearing a life jacket, and who have not taken a boating safety course, according to the release.
For this reason, the partnership wants boaters of all ages and boating experience to follow its guidelines and treat then as the “rules of the road.”
“Many Californians would consider Lake Mead and Lake Mohave among their top boating destinations,” said Raynor Tsuneyoshi, California Department of Boating and Waterways director, in the release. “No boater visits Lake Mead expecting to get in an accident and wind up as another statistic, but boating accidents can happen in a split second and most of them result from boaters' inexperience and inattention. We've had great success with the Tri-state boating safety campaign, so we know that partnerships like this can work well to help prevent many of these avoidable accidents.”
The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA), which represents the four manufacturers of personal watercraft, will play in integral part in the efforts of the partnership, according to the release.
“Lake Mead is one of the most popular places to ride personal watercraft in the country,” said Maureen Healey, PWIA executive director, in the release. “While boating is on of America's most treasured pastimes, one must never forget that a boat is a motorized vessel that should be approached with the same caution and respect as a car. No matter how long you've been boating, the Lake Mead Safe Boating Partnership wants everyone to take a refresher course this year to brush-up on the rules and guidelines specific for boating at Lake Mead and Lake Mohave.”
The Lake Mead Safe Boating Partnership will host its first public event during the 2006 National Safe Boating Week on May 20-26.
The partnership will host a boating safety day at Lake Mead May 20 where boating safety classes will be offered at no cost, and boaters can have their vessels and lifejackets checks so they meet safety requirements.
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