HOUSTON – As the Houston heat and summer holidays beckon cool-off options, people are flocking to the water for activities such as swimming, fishing and boating.
Here are safety reminders and requirements if you do plan to take your boat out:
- Everyone on board must be able to produce a life jacket. Those under 13 years old must be wearing a life jacket at all times. (According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 86% of drowning cases involve victims not wearing life jackets)
- Your boat must have a working fire extinguisher onboard.
- Drivers of the boat much have either a horn or whistle.
- Always designate a “sober skipper.” The U.S. Coast Guard says alcohol is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents--about 23%
- Slow down. Officials say accidents can often be avoided when captains obey the posted speed limit.
Safety equipment requirements are spelled out for powerboats, sailboats, and manually propelled boats by Texas Parks and Wildlife - for that information, click here.