MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact:
Capt. John J. Hotz
Q532017 (573) 526-6115
May 3, 2017
EMPHASIS: May 20-26 Is National Safe Boating Week
Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to make the public aware of National Safe Boating Week, which takes place May 20-26, 2017. National Safe Boating Week is purposefully scheduled just prior to Memorial Day weekend, which many people consider the kickoff to the boating season. Boaters are encouraged to arrange for a thorough inspection of their boat prior to taking it out on the water this boating season. Weather, time, and other elements during winter may affect the readiness of your boat. The Patrol’s marine operations troopers are available to inspect the required equipment on your boat, to make sure you’re in compliance with state law. To help facilitate these inspections, marine operations troopers will be at the following boat equipment inspections stations:
Saturday, May 20, 2017
TROOP A --
From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
·
Blue Springs Lake Marina, 1700 NE Bowlin Road, Lees Summit, MO
·
Longview Lake Marina, 9898 Longview Road, Kansas City, MO
·
Camp Branch Marina on Smithville Lake, 17201 Paradesian Street, Smithville, MO
·
Shawnee Bend boat ramp on Truman Lake, Golf Road, Warsaw, MO
TROOP B --
From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
·
Ray Behrens boat ramp, on Mark Twain Lake, 20642 Highway J, Monroe City, MO
·
Hannibal Riverfront in Hannibal, MO
TROOP C
--
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
·
Hamburg Ferry Access in Pike County. (If this location is flooded, the inspections will take place at this time/date at the Yacht Club of St. Louis, 105 Lake Village Drive, St. Charles, MO.)
·
George Winter Park in Fenton, MO
TROOP D
·
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- State Park Marina on Stockton Lake
·
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. -- State Park Marina on Table Rock Lake
·
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Bolivar Landing on Pomme de Terre Lake
TROOP E
·
8 a.m. to 10 a.m. -- Redman Recreational boat ramp on Wappapello Lake
·
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. -- Old Greenville boat ramp on Wappapello Lake
TROOP F
--
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
·
Public Beach #2, at Lake of the Ozarks State Park
·
Conservation Access below Bagnell Dam, on Lake of the Ozarks
·
Pirates Point Marina on the Lake of the Ozarks
TROOP G
--
8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
·
Theodosia Marina on Bull Shoals Lake
·
Riverfront boat ramp on the Current River in Van Buren, MO
TROOP H
--
10 a.m.
·
Big Lake boat ramp in Holt County
·
French Bottom's boat ramp near the Frontier Casino in St. Joseph, MO
TROOP I
--
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
·
Hidden Valley Outfitters on the Niangua River.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Troop D --
·
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Wheatland Park boat ramp on Pomme de Terre Lake
·
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- Mutton Creek boat ramp on Stockton Lake
Friday, May 26, 2017
Troop D
--
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
·
Pomme de Terre State Park Little Button boat ramp on Pomme de Terre Lake
·
Ruark Bluff boat ramp on Stockton Lake
Additional information on equipment inspection stations may be obtained from your local troop headquarters.
In addition to making sure your boat equipment is in compliance with state law, make sure you are familiar with laws regarding boat operation and traditional navigational rules. Remember: Missouri law requires everyone born after January 1, 1984, who operates a vessel on Missouri lakes to possess an approved boating safety identification card and photo ID. In 2016, there were 182 boating accidents reported in Missouri, with 104 injuries, and 16 fatalities. When boaters understand and obey the law, and vessels are in good operating order, everyone’s experience on the water
becomes safer.
Personal flotation devices for everyone on board is a must! Children under seven years old are required to wear a personal flotation device in a boat, but you are never too old to wear a life jacket! Life jackets are now lighter, less obtrusive, and more comfortable than ever before. The new inflatable life jackets allow mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing, or paddling, and are much cooler in the warmer weather. There are many different varieties of inflatable jackets ranging from those that inflate instantly when submerged in the water to those that are manually inflated. Although not required by law, children playing along the shoreline or on a dock should wear a life jacket. A drowning can occur quickly, with little or no sign the victim is struggling. Life jackets save lives!
It is important for each boat operator to know the capabilities of their boat. Reducing your speed in unfamiliar areas and being aware of unusual water conditions respective to the size and type of boat you operate are just a couple of environmental considerations.
“Environmental factors can cause boater fatigue,” said Colonel Karsten. “Being in the sun, the wind, and experiencing the constant wave action, affects every vessel operator. When you combine alcohol with boater fatigue your reaction time and thought process becomes even slower. Please enjoy our state’s beautiful waterways, but designate a sober captain if you choose to consume alcohol.”
Other safe boating tips to be aware of include:
1) Be a defensive boat operator ... creating distance from other boats equals more reaction time.
2) Adjust your speed for the conditions ... if visibility is poor, or the water is rough, slow down!
3) Turn off the boat while passengers are entering/exiting the water.
4) If you will be out on the water after dark, check your navigation lights before you leave the dock or ramp.
5) Each boat operator is responsible for doing whatever they can to avoid an accident. Don’t expect other boats to move out of your way.
6) Be courteous with your wake.
Boaters are reminded to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol by dialing *55 on a cellular phone if they need assistance or observe another boater operating a vessel in an unsafe manner.
Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!
(###)