Boating Safety Encouraged in Light of Recent Fatalities

More than a dozen boating-related fatalities have occurred thus far in the state of Texas during 2016. Texas Game Wardens report that almost half of these accidents involved kayaks. Furthermore, another four open water fatalities took place across the state this past weekend; these include drownings and boating accidents involving motor and paddle craft.

In light of these accidents, the police department is encouraging citizens to research boating laws, take the boater’s safety course, and practice general boating safety this holiday weekend.

“We have a lot of people [who] tell us, ‘We didn’t know [about boating laws],’” SAPD Officer John Bouligny said. “That’s not a defense. You still have to drive safely.”

Bouligny, who is assigned to the department’s lake division, gave several examples of laws broken while boating. These include violations in the no-wake zones and boating while intoxicated.

“Mixing alcohol and boating is a very bad idea,” Bouligny said. “Us and the game wardens will be out and about in force, and [we will have] pretty much zero tolerance when it comes to boating while intoxicated.”

In regard to no-wake zones, buoys mark where the zones start; however, Bouligny says that “people continue to go way too fast in those zones.” There is no official speed limit in these no-wake zones, but boaters are not allowed to go faster than it takes to maintain control of their vessels.

“We want people to come out here and have fun,” Bouligny said. “We want people to get outside and enjoy themselves. However, coming out here and making a fool of yourself isn’t something that you want to do. It just doesn’t work out very well. We want you to come have fun, but if you’re intoxicated to the point that you’re a danger to yourself, or to others, it’s going to be addressed. Don’t be too intoxicated to the point that it’s going to cost you a trip to jail.”

Last year, during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, game wardens in the state made contact with over 30,000 boaters and arrested 58 operators for boating under the influence.

Weather conditions, including heavy rains that caused flooding and increased water flows along most rivers and creeks, have been the most significant contributing factor in paddle craft fatalities this year. TPWD Boating Education Manager Tim Spice stressed that many of those tragedies could have been avoided with safe boating practices.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard statistics, at least 85 percent of people who drown in boating accidents were not wearing a personal flotation device at the time.

Texas Parks and Wildlife claims there have been more than 34 non-boating related drownings reported in Texas since January; over a third of those fatalities have occurred since May.

“Enough is enough,” Texas Game Warden Col. Craig Hunter, TPWD Director of Law Enforcement, said. “A day on the water in Texas should be all about the fun, and following the basic rules of water safety can help keep your loved ones from harm. If you don’t know how to swim, learn; and if you are impaired or unfamiliar with the water conditions, don’t put yourself in jeopardy by taking unnecessary risks. Keep an eye on kids especially. It only takes a second to turn a fun day on the water into a tragedy.”

To read about SAPD’s new boathouse, which holds boats that will be on patrol this weekend, check out San Angelo LIVE!’s report of its opening ceremony here.