Boat Launch Regulations
As a nation, we love our boats. In Minnesota alone, the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," there are approximately 836,000 registered boats. Like driving, boating regulations provide rules of operation. It's necessary to understand the importance of the regulations and the cost of disregard. While safety is the primary goal, the regulations also provide benefits to the waterways.
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Significance
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Boat ownership is serious business. Unlike driving, boating is primarily a pleasurable activity. You boat to have fun. To safely and legally launch your boat, you must know the boating regulations, pre-launch. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 4,789 boating accidents in 2008, resulting in 709 deaths. Inexperience and reckless boating were among the top causes of these accidents. While not widely required, knowledge of boating safety saves lives. Only 10 percent of boating fatalities involved boaters who had safety training.
Types
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Regulations can cover four general areas. Be aware that they can vary by state and even waterway in some areas. Regulations can apply to licensing practices, required equipment on board, the general operation of your boat and site-specific regulations regarding invasive species control. In addition, federal regulations address areas of manufacture and safety standards of boats and navigation rules.
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Effects
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Consider required equipment on board. Federal law dictates that a personal floatation device, or PFD, must be on board for every passenger. In some states such as Minnesota, buoyant cushions are not acceptable. While few boaters and passengers do so, wearing your PFD at all times is the best boating practice. Over 90 percent of boating accident victims in 2008 were not wearing a life jacket, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Other required equipment includes a fire extinguisher. Look for the U.S. Coast Guard-approved label when purchasing one. Boaters must also have a whistle or horn. The boat's horn would do little good if the boat breaks down. An air horn ensures your distress call will be audible.
Benefits
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Other regulations benefit the waterways by protecting against invasive species. An invasive species, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is a non-native species that has a negative impact on the environment. Eurasian Watermilfoil has been in the U.S. since approximately 1900. It is a very aggressive plant that will quickly crowd out native species, providing little food replacement value. From a boating perspective, it is a nuisance that diminishes engine performance.
Invasive species are not limited to plants. A more recent introduction, the Zebra Mussel's threat comes from filtering plankton that provides food for native species. Their filtering activity can also cause an accumulation of toxins, thereby threatening other species such as waterfowl that may feed on them. Boating regulations require boaters to inspect their crafts for invasive species. Emptying and cleaning the bilge before launching is an added measure to protect the waterways from infestation.
Conclusion
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As boaters know, being on the water provides a sense of pleasure and freedom like no other. It is everything we want it to be from fishing to water skiing to just hanging out. A responsible boater is a safe boater. Knowing the regulations before you launch is the cost of boating.
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References
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- Photo Credit stock.xchng: Benjamin Earwicker
