Safety First
S
o many things often are overlooked while out on the water. We may forget to
reapply sunscreen every two hours. We may forget to ensure that all our safety
equipment on-board is functional and not expired. We may have that naive thought:
“Nothing bad will happen to me.”
But that’s a risky way to boat. Contributor Ken Quant tells the story of Mark Wheeler,
who thought he was fully prepared for the 2017 Chicago Race to Mackinac; however, life
tends to throw curve balls (p. 50). Wheeler ended up in the water and was in an emergency
man overboard situation. Thanks to the skilled crew aboard Meridian X, Wheeler was
luckily rescued about an hour later and lives to tell his tale. — and the lessons he learned.
This issue is packed with safety-related editorial, including double-checking your
fire extinguishers (p. 30), MOB tips and prevention (p. 32), a low-down on beacons
(p. 34), and swapping out expired and unusable safety items on-board.(p. 36).
Take all these safety tips with you as you embark on the first cruise of the year,
including to Sandusky, Ohio (p. 56). This 200-year-old city boasts a well-known
amusement park, quick access to many Lake Erie Islands, top-notch fishing and
a variety of dining options. The city celebrates its bicentennial this year, making it
the perfect time to visit.
Boat safely!What’s one tip for
staying safe while
boating?Do you have a story idea you’d like to suggest? Email me at [email protected] to share your ideas.AREAS MENTIONED
IN THIS ISSUELake Erie Islands p. 26
Sandusky, OH p. 56Walloon Lake, MI p. 24FROM THE HELM
BY KATE BUSHCONTRIBUTORS
Damaine Vonada
Since drowning causes most boating
accident fatalities, never stow life jackets.
They always should be easily accessible,
fit properly and kept in good condition.
Of course, the best — and safest — way to
keep a life jacket handy is to wear it.Ken Quant
On-board falls are an overlooked safety
concern. Whenever anyone new gets on-
board, I remind them to keep one hand on
the boat at all times. That way, they are
always ready to hold themselves secure
when the inevitable mean-spirited wave
or unexpected movement happens.Chuck Warren
I regularly deliver boats across Lake
Michigan, passing over 40 to 50 miles of
open water where cell phones are useless
and VHF radios are just slightly more
helpful. On trips like those, communication
is critical. Two-way satellite text and
email devices have become extremely
affordable; there is no excuse to take a
potentially dangerous trip without one.
Also, file a “float plan” with friends or family,
complete with the time you expect to be
at a checkpoint or at your destination. If
you don't check in, someone should have a
sheet of paper with everything they need
to contact the Coast Guard, telling them
where to look for you, and your intended
course and speed. Make it as easy as
possible for them to send help.HHHHHH4 MAY 2018 | LAKELANDBOATING.COMEdNote_MAY18.indd 4 3/28/18 12:00 PM