Boat Safety Tips

Jim Edmiston has been boating for several decades, and he says hes never been on the water without his lifejacket. He said, "I do not go out unless I have my lifejacket on even when I get to my destination." He passed that water-smart savvy on to his grandson. Edmiston said, "He wanted to go fishing, the first thing we did, we went and got a lifejacket that fit him." Officials have a boating safety checklist they will be strictly enforcing. The list includes: -Wearing Lifejackets (enough for everyone on board) -Current on-board registration -A fire extinguisher -Proper number of people on boat -Sober Driver Doug Letsinger, owner of Letsinger Marine, has extra tips: He says all boaters using recreational tubes should always have a spotter. He said, "In the water a person is a very small target and some other boater may not see them...If they fall off you dont want to go a half mile or mile down and find out oh we lost John." Both men said they agree that safety should always be the number one concern, especially on busy holiday weekends. Letsinger said, "When you get on holiday weekends like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, a lot of traffic on the water, you just have to be a lot more careful." Edmiston said, "Its all about life. We might not ever need it but in one instance it [a lifejacket] might save your life...Its better to be safe than sorry in the end." -Candace Miers, NBC 10 News