Title: Coast watch
Identifier: coastwatch00uncs_12 (find matches)
Year: 1979 (1970s)
Authors: UNC Sea Grant College Program
Subjects: Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology
Publisher: (Raleigh, N. C. : UNC Sea Grant College Program)
Contributing Library: State Library of North Carolina
Digitizing Sponsor: North Carolina Digital Heritage Center

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THE CATCH Coast Guard, reported 251 boat accidents; 35 people were killed. And more boat-related accidents occur in June, July, August and September than in the rest of the months combined. "Accidents happen, but almost all of them are preventable," says Lt. Michael Brogdanowicz, hunting and boating safety coordinator for the WRC. "Most fatalities aren't the result of fantastic crashes — somebody simply falls overboard or ends up in the water and drowns." Lt. Brogdanowicz recommends wearing a life preserver or personal floatation device (PFD), keeping a sharp lookout and avoiding alcohol to reduce your risk of an accident. PFDs have the greatest impact on your ability to survive a boating crisis, and operator inattention is the number one cause of accidents, says Brogdanowicz. PFDs are now required when riding personal watercraft such as Jet Skis and Sea Doos. And it may be tempting to drink on board your boat — many people's idea of a romantic cruise involves a glass of wine or a mug of beer at sunset — but alcohol mixes no better with seagoing vessels than with cars, and similar "drunk driving" laws apply. Even if the boat operator does not drink, intoxicated people can prove dangerous to them- selves or to the skipper. Alcohol use is the second leading cause of fatal accidents on the water. Fishers and boaters should also remember that June 1 marks the beginning of hurricane season every year — and it isn't over until Nov. 30. During summer, it's especially impor- tant to keep an eye on the weather. Don't go out unless you are sure your boat can handle the wind and wave conditions predicted. Once you are on the water, watch the clouds and the sea for danger signs. Rip tides can create high waves capable of swamping a boat, and fog or heavy rain can decrease visibility. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Radio reports are a must for safety-conscious boaters. If you get caught in a thunderstorm, stay below decks if possible. Lightning and strong, gusty winds make for unpredictable and dangerous conditions. Of course, hurricanes are many steps above your average summer thundershower. Every year. North Carolina Sea Grant fisheries agent Jim Bahen helps Wilmington residents get their boats out of the water when hurricanes threaten. "The problem is, nobody thinks about it until it's too
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late," he says. "Once the weather service says a hurricane might swing in toward North Carolina, you've got a two-day window" in which to secure property. And with so many new residents along the coast, Bahen says, many don't know what to expect when a hurricane hits. "We've got so many new people coming to the coast and buying boats — if they're from Topeka, Kan., or Boone, N.C., they don't know what goes on down here." Bahen recommends taking care of your boat as early as possible when a hurricane is predicted. If you have a small craft, pull it out of the water and take it to high ground. "The best thing is to take a small boat off the trailer and fill it full of water," Bahen says. "Try to get it away from trees." For larger boats, search out a "hurricane hole" that is protected from wind and strong waves. Anchoring in the lee of an island or in an enclosed, inland marina may help protect your vessel. Putting out extra anchors can also keep your boat from swinging dangerously or breaking loose and damaging others' property. Brogdanowicz says boaters should stay clear of inlets in heavy weather and search out a sheltered spot with few structures or other boats around. You can't anticipate what will happen in a hurricane, he says. "You just don't take chances." So pack your PFD along with your fishing poles this summer, and keep an eye on the weather. The North Carolina Sea Grant staff wishes you happy sails. Free Boating Publications from North Carolina Sea Grant • Hurricane Preparedness Poster for Boaters describes how to prepare small or large recreational boats for an impending hurricane. UNC-SG- 86-08; poster. Continued COASTWATCH 27

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