Harbormaster Urges Boaters to be Safe

After two fatal boating accidents in the waters of Boston and the South Shore last weekend, the Hingham Harbormaster and are urging residents to be safe.

Mark Brennan, the Hingham Deputy Harbormaster said boaters should learn the rules of the water, go slow, and avoid drinking and boating.

Last Saturday, a  58-year-old Hingham man, in the waters off Boston Light after falling from his boat,  which split in half.  Police are still investigating if speed caused the boat to break.  The same evening as Spirito’s tragic death, a 23-year-old Marshfield man, Zac Woods was thrown from his boat in the Brant Rock waters.  Woods is still missing as the United States Coast Guard continue to search for him. Police believe alcohol played a role in the Marshfield accident as empty beer cans were found on the boat.

Brennan, said accidents on the water can be prevented.  The deputy Harbormaster, who has been boating for almost 35 year and who has been a licensed captain for over 20 years, said he could not stress enough how important it is for boaters to wear a life jacket.

“A life jacket will save your life," Brennan said.  “If he (the missing Marshfield Boater) had a life jacket, he would remain afloat."

Environmental Police Officer A.J Ford wants boaters to remember that if they are caught with operating a boat under the influence of alcohol, it will affect the boater’s driver’s license.

“If you're caught, you’ll most certainly be going to jail,” Ford said in an interview earlier this summer.  “We will be looking for drinking and boating and we will be enforcing all the applicable laws.  If you’re out there, be very prudent with your alcohol consumption.”

Ford said the Environmental Police will be strictly patrolling the waters until Columbus Day weekend. Although there will not be any increase in patrols this weekend, Environmental Police Lt. Col. Chris Baker said the police is cautioning everyone to be safe this weekend.

To avoid deadly accidents in the future, the Harbormaster’s office recommends Hingham residents to take boating safety courses and to get a Boating Safety License.  Brennan believes the state should mandate these classes in order for boaters to operate a vessel. The town of Hingham offered these classes for free during the month of March and June and currently they are taking place locally at the Dennis Yacht Club in Dennis, MA.

All of the courses are designed for anyone over the age of 12 , regardless of boating skill.

Hingham Police said  that the completion of a course by persons between 12 and 16 years of age will allow them to operate a motorboat without adult supervision.  In addition, some insurance companies offer policy discounts for customers that complete a Basic Boating Safety Course.

“Only 10 percent of boaters have the education,” Brennan said. “ If I could emphasize one thing to boaters, it’s to get the safety license.  Understand the rules. Be smart.”

Brennan said he made 30 vessel stops last Sunday in Hingham Harbor and surrounding waters, and most of the people he stopped, did not even know what they were doing wrong.

“We want people to enjoy a nice Sunday on the water while knowing what to do,” he said.

Top 10 Primary Contributing Factors of Boating Accidents

• Operator inattention
• Careless/reckless behavior
• Passenger/skier behavior
• Excessive speed
• Alcohol use – Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
• No proper lookout
• Operator inexperience
• Machinery failure
• Weather
• Equipment failure

Source: A 2007 study by the American Boating Association

Ways to Avoid Accidents

• Always check local weather conditions before you leave on a boating trip.  While you’re out on the water, if you notice the clouds getting darker or a sudden drop in temperature, start heading back to land.
• Operate the boat at safe speeds at all time, especially in crowded areas.  Remain alert and avoid large vessels and watercraft that have restricted ability to stop or turn. 
• Make sure more than one person on board is familiar with all aspects of your boat’s handling, operations, and other boating safety tips.
• Always be sure to have a float plan—letting someone know where you’re going and how long you plan to be gone for.
• Make sure there are enough lifejackets onboard for each person accompanying you out on the water.  
• Take a boating safety course to learn more about how to stay safe on the water!

Source: The Massachusetts Environmental Police

Life Jackets

In 2009, more than 74 percent of all fatalities nationally from boating accidents were due to drowning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Of those who drowned, 71 percent of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.

Drinking

A half a drink of alcohol can increase a boater’s risk of death by 30 percent, according to the American Boating Association.