Conservation Police remind boaters and water users to practice
safety as boating season gets underway
National
Safe Boating Week leads up to Memorial Day weekend
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[May 24, 2013]
SPRINGFIELD -- As part of the
observance of National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, Illinois
Conservation Police are gearing up to help ensure the public's
safety on Illinois waterways throughout the year. As in years past,
Conservation Police officers are asking boaters to "Wear It!" while
boating this season.
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The "Wear It!" message is a simple, straightforward and easy message
to understand. Everyone onboard a boat should wear a life jacket
from the time they get on until the time they get off the vessel. It
could literally save their life.
"Fastening a flotation device takes just seconds, but that action
can save the rest of your life. Life jackets aboard a boat are only
effective if they are worn," said Illinois Conservation Police Chief
Rafael Gutierrez.
Statistics compiled by the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources, Office of Law Enforcement, show that there were 101
boating-related accidents on Illinois waters in 2012, resulting in
17 deaths and 77 injuries. Alcohol use was a contributing factor in
13 of the accidents and five of the fatalities.
Those totals compare with 103 reportable boating accidents in
2011, resulting in 70 injuries and 21 fatalities.
Illinois Conservation Police are responsible for patrolling
public waters of the state and will strictly enforce laws for boat
operators regarding operating under the influence.
Illinois law requires that personal floatation devices, or PFDs
-- life jackets or life vests -- be available for each person aboard
a boat or other watercraft.
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State law also requires that anyone under the age of 13 must wear
a life jacket while aboard any watercraft under 26 feet in length at
all times the boat is underway, unless they are below deck in an
enclosed cabin or operating on private property. Illinois law also
requires people of any age to wear a PFD while operating a personal
watercraft or jet ski.
Among the primary causes of boating accidents are operator
inattention, alcohol use, careless or reckless operation, and
operator inexperience.
The IDNR offers free boating safety courses providing a
review of boating laws and regulations and instruction on safe and
attentive operation of watercraft. State law requires boating safety
education for people ages 12-17 and encourages boaters of all ages
to take a safety course.
Safety courses, which are taught by volunteer instructors, are
available throughout Illinois, and schedules are available by
calling 1-800-832-2599 or by checking the links on the IDNR
website's boating information page at
http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety/
Pages/BoatingSafety.aspx. Online boat safety courses are also
available for a fee.
National Safe Boating Week is observed each year during the week
leading up to the Memorial Day holiday. For more information on the
national safe boating campaign, visit
http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/.
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Natural Resources
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |