Many people will enjoy this Memorial Day out on the water.
Because of that, officials in Pennsylvania-and here in Butler County- are reminding residents of safe boating practices.
“The biggest thing that you can do is to wear a life jacket,” Mike Parker, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission spokesman, said. “We had 14 recreational boating fatalities last year across Pennsylvania. Only three of the victims were wearing a life jacket.”
Parker says its important the life jacket properly fits the person it’s intended for. Parker says it’s also important that a sober person is operating a boat, noting that boating under the influence increases the chances of an accident, putting the safety of everyone on board at risk.
Boating under the influence- BUI- could result in fines, loss of boating privileges and even imprisonment.
Last week was ‘Safe Boating Week’ in Butler County. Ray Nagy of Butler- with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary- urged those taking to Butler County waterways to do simple tasks like an all-over vessel check, looking at the weather forecast and making sure you have a fire extinguisher on board.
The post Boating Safety: 14 Boating Fatalities Last Year In Pa. appeared first on ButlerRadio.com – Butler, PA.
