TOLEDO, Ohio — Getting out on the water is a fun experience but experts say it comes with some risks.
The most recent crash on Lake Erie is just one in a series of many boating accidents, but it caught the attention of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The USCG reported back in 2023 that more than 560 Americans died within the year due to boating accidents.
The USCG urges boaters to learn the laws and take the proper courses for certification. They hope to be proactive by offering lifesaving advice to the public on how to prevent injury or even death.
They said boaters need to know how to prevent accidents, but they should also know how to save others. While it may sound hard to do, experts say there are a few simple steps that prepare you for safe recreational boating.
According to USCG, alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in deadly boating accidents. They say it is illegal to drive a boat with a blood alcohol level above .08.
They also say boaters should always drive at safe speeds, especially at night when there is low lighting and high traffic.
They encourage boaters to have the proper visual distress signals, sound signals and first aid kits on board.
And USCG said no boat should leave the marina without some kind of practical communication device. A portable VHF radio is the most encouraged for emergencies.
"Make sure you have your safety gear on board. Anything we would check during a coastguard boarding would be a life jacket, EPIRB would be great to have on board so you can be located in the event of any distress, fire extinguishers, sound producing device such as a horn or a whistle," said Daniel McGrath, officer in charge of Coastguard Station Toledo.
If you are in danger or spot someone in danger, USCG says call 911 or reach out to the Coast Guard Command Center at Sector Detroit.
To find more certification training and tips from the U.S. Coast Guard, click HERE.
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