With the presentation of a proclamation to the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Loudon County Mayor Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw recognized May 18-24 as the county’s National Safe Boating Week.
“One of our major assets for Loudon County is our water, our waterways, the recreation.” Bradshaw said after presenting the proclamation Thursday. “When you look at our waterways in the summer, they’re full. It’s just a great commodity for the county and people come from all over to take advantage of it, and as crowded as they are, safety has to be paramount.”
According to the National Boating Safety Advisory Council, an average of 700 people die each year within the United States due to boating-related accidents. Of that amount, nearly 70 percent of those result in drowning.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officer Anthony Chitwood said the last drowning to occur in Loudon County was in 2013. Despite encouraging boaters to wear life jackets at all times, Chitwood said some still don’t heed the warning.
During events, Chitwood said TWRA drives around to boaters and gives away inflatable belt packs that go around a person’s waist. The packs are free and typically run about $70-$80 if purchased, Chitwood said. In return, all that is asked from boaters is they sign a pledge to wear the flotation device. The belt packs can’t be considered a U.S. Coast Guard certified flotation device, but Chitwood said they are something for boaters to wear on the waters.
“It would not count as your flotation device on your boat if checked to be in check with the law I guess, but it’s something that’s there in case of an accident or what have you,” he said.
Peter Kraslawsky, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla staff officer, said one reason why he believes many don’t wear life jackets is because of the uncomfortable feeling it can bring to wearers.
Each year, the local Coast Guard Auxiliary of Tellico Lake offers free vessel safety checks, given anytime of the year, in which a representative will go on the boat and ensure equipment meets all state laws and regulations. In addition, Flotilla 12-2 offers monthly safety classes.
One popular course is called Now in Command, run by women auxiliarists. The class teaches women how to operate a boat in the event their husband cannot. Three of the Now in Command courses are organized per year, and Kraslawsky said about 20-40 women sign up for the program each time.
The local Coast Guard Auxiliary also provides a life jacket loaner program at six major docks in Tellico Village, which allows residents that don’t have children-sized life jackets to still bring their grandchildren onboard their boats for a day.
“We put up a sign that says, ‘Borrow today, bring it back today,’ and that’s really good because what happens is all grandparents that live here in the Village, right?” Kraslawsky said. “The grandkids come once a year. They don’t have kids jackets for them, so we’ve got a bunch of kids’ (jackets) there. You go down to the dock. They can grab a jacket, put the jacket on the kid so they don’t get a ticket.”
According to TWRA, all children 12 years old and younger must wear a life jacket while on a recreational boat except when anchored, moored or aground.
From May 22-24, Watts Barr and Tellico Lake U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla representatives will be stationed in front of Walmart to encourage boat safety.
Kraslawsky said a radio-controlled mascot named Coastie, a tug boat the size of a shopping cart, will be rolling along the front of the store, asking children if they wear life jackets and reminding them to take precautionary measures when on boats.
“Make them aware of being safe, tell them about safety,” Kraslawksy said. “The three major questions we literally ask the child is, one, do you always wear a life jacket? Two, you never jump off the boat head first, you always jump off feet first. And three, you always swim with a buddy.”
Chitwood said to make sure the necessary equipment is onboard at all times, including a throw cushion and a fire extinguisher. Boaters must also keep a “proper lookout” when on the lake and remain seated.
Alcohol is another contributing factor to boating accidents, both fatal and nonfatal, he said. Boating under the influence arrests have not been a factor so far this year in Loudon County, but Chitwood said that could change now that boating season is just getting underway. About five BUIs occurred in the county last year, he said.
