Festival-goers floating and boating for this year’s July 4 celebrations will see extra police patrolling waters within the Tri-State.

Monday, July 03, 2000

Festival-goers floating and boating for this year’s July 4 celebrations will see extra police patrolling waters within the Tri-State.

A joint river safety effort between the Ohio Division of Watercraft, the Kentucky and West Virginia Departments of Natural Resources, as well as marine patrols in Lawrence and Scioto Counties, will take place on Independence Day.

Officers will help boaters who need assistance and keep dangerous and disrespectful boaters in line.

"When we say joint effort, we mean keeping boating safe or helping people when their boats break down," Ohio Division of Watercraft officer Dean Palmer said.

"We’re going to respectively patrol our assigned areas," he said. "Kentucky and Ohio will have concurrent jurisdictions and it is possible (for boaters) to see both water patrols in the same area. We share the respective areas from bank to bank."

Officer Palmer stressed the importance of water safety, placing emphasis on everyone wearing life jackets – life jackets that fit.

"If you have non- or weak swimmers on board, make sure they have a life jacket that fits," Palmer said. "What makes sense on land makes sense on water – buckle up your life jacket like you buckle up your seat belt."

Palmer explained that even the best swimmers can get in trouble in the water.

"And it may not always be just yourself that you have to help in the water," he said. "You may have to help others, and wearing a life jacket would increase your chances of survival."

The age of the uncomfortable plastic foam jackets are long gone, so all boaters can be floaters, and can rest assured that comfort and safety go hand in hand, he added.

"There are inflatable jackets," Palmer said. "(Companies) make styles that look like suspenders or fanny packs."

Also, some jackets will inflate automatically when they get wet, he said. Inside the jackets are seltzer tablets that dissolve when coming in contact with water, which inflates the jackets.

Other styles inflate manually by pulling a toggle switch, which sets off a carbon dioxide cartridge, Palmer said.

It is also important to have other safety equipment on board, including an anchor and line and fire extinguishers in the event of on-board fires, which can be either electrical or fuel-related.

"The most common fires we have (come from) oils and gasoline," Palmer said. "Some people don’t make sure that all the hatches are closed, and any places gas fumes can build up could cause an explosion.

"After fueling the boat, be sure to open all hatches and air them out," he said.

Also, it is important to make sure the boat’s ventilation systems are working to allow the gas fumes out into the open air.

"Most systems have a blower system that should be turned on four minutes prior to starting the boat," Palmer said.

Palmer added that it is essential that flame arrestors on in-board engines are properly secured and clean.

"If the engine backfires, the flame arrestor prevents flames from coming out into the compartment," Palmer said.

It is also good to check the boat horns, making sure they honk to help avoid accidents.

Palmer said that the assembled patrols will be on the lookout for irresponsible and potentially dangerous boating.

"We’re going to be out and we’ll be looking for reckless operation, such as coming too close to each other’s boats," he said.

There will also be a close eye out for alcohol consumption, of which the rules will be administered in the same manner enforced by highway patrol officers.

"The legal limit is .10, and the fines are consistent with what’s on the highway," he said.

Put simply, "don’t drink," he added.

"A lot of people want to go out and enjoy the holidays, and a lot of times people will overstretch their abilities to operate their boats due to excessive sun exposure, noise, vibration and movement of the boat," Palmer said. "These are all referred to as stressors.

"If you take that and add it to the consumption of alcohol, it compounds the effect on the body," he said.

Palmer emphasized the importance of boat safety, saying that all departments will be on the water July 4 to help provide a safe boating experience this year.

"A successful holiday weekend is when everyone has fun and gets to go home safe," he said.