NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Memorial day
weekend wasn’t the sunny start many boaters were hoping for. Soon enough, the
waters of western Massachusetts will be crowded, and that’s when the danger
begins.
The U.S. Coast Guard found there were 701 deadly
boating accidents last year – the highest it’s been in the last 5 years. It’s a
12% jump from 2015.
Injuries also went up 11% during that same time.
Injuries also went up 11% during that same time.
Alcohol was the number one contributing factor in
these incidents, and it lead to about 15-percent of all the deadly
accidents. Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout,
excessive speed, and machine failure ranked as the next top 5 causes of
accidents.
Clay Duda of the Oxbow Marina says he hasn’t seen
these issues near the marina, but isn’t shocked they’re happening. “The river’s
always changing,” says Duda. “There’s obstructions out there. The water is
higher, so there is debris. So just be aware of your surroundings. Understand
that there are other people on the water too, and that there’s not a traffic
lane that divides the traffic.”
The Oxbow gives their boaters Coast Guard safety
kits, and goes with new boaters to help them test the waters. Environmental
police are stationed nearby in case anything goes wrong.
“We try and do our part to educate people to prevent
that,” says Duda. “You have to understand the rules of the river.”
The Coast Guard urges boaters to wear life jackets,
regardless of age or physical ability. 80% of those who died, drowned.
Source: wwlp.com
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