National Safe Boating Week begins tomorrow, but in Florida, people boat year-round, especially as temperatures begin to rise.
"This is a perfect opportunity to take stock of your equipment and make sure you're prepared to go out on the water," says Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement's Brian Rehwinkel.
Florida law requires there be appropriately sized life jackets for every passenger on board a boat and everyone under the age of six in vessels less than 26 feet must wear life vests at all times.
Studies show drownings make up half of all boating deaths.
Rehwinkel recommends taking a boating safety class or a refresher course, and everyone should pay attention when on the water because, "If we're maintaining a 360-degree awareness, that's going to make sure that we don't hit something, it's also going to help avoid someone else hitting us."
He suggests having a marine radio on top of a cell phone because, "We know cell phone coverage on land is not always consistent, so having a marine radio is a good idea."
Other safety items include a personal locater beacon that uses satellites to find someone.
Plus, before you head out on the water, have a float plan or at least tell someone on land where you're going and when you'll be back.
National Safe Boating Council Executive Director Captain Peg Phillips agrees boater education courses are vital because you'll learn navigation rules.
"Think about being in a vehicle. You have stop signs and red lights and lanes and you have none of that when you're on the waterway. So how do how do boaters know where to go? How do we avoid hitting other vessels. Who do you pass on the right or the left? How do you avoid a head on collision? And how do you make sure you're staying in a channel and not beaching yourself on a sandbar? So, all of those are different things that you learn in navigation rules," plus you learn water etiquette.
She stresses boating under the influence is the #1 contributing factor to fatalities, so boating sober is essential.
"The effects of alcohol are intensified when you are on the water because the boat is moving, you're not standing still on the ground, right? The boat is moving. You're in the sun. Maybe you're getting dehydrated because of the heat. There are some other factors involved that will intensify the effects of alcohol."
There are between 600 and 700 reportable boating accidents every year in Florida.
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