Aransas Pass Police Department Summer Boating Safety

With Memorial Day Weekend behind us this means more and more people are getting out and about to enjoy the summertime weather. This also means more boats in the water. Jack McCarty, with the Aransas Pass Police Department says, with more people out, it's important to know how to keep yourself and others safe.



"During our peak season, our biggest goal is to get out on the water and make a presence and show people we are out, not only for law enforcement, but also to ensure safety for other boaters and people swimming on the waters off the banks, and also kayakers. We are out here to promote safety. We will stop people, conduct a marine safety inspection, and the things we look for are proper life jackets, proper-fitting life jackets for everybody on board, proper safety equipment, i.e. flares, smoke signals, air horns, things of that nature to get people's attention in a case something goes wrong," said McCarty.




Before heading out onto the water this summer, you'll want to make sure you're up-to-date on all of the safety regulations, especially for those who are new boat owners.


"While we do welcome everybody, we also want them to start out slow. If you are a brand-new boater, come out here and learn your way around, and maybe find a friend that knows a lot about these waters out here, and see if you can get one of them to take you around and show you around. The biggest thing is, not only do safe boating operations, but also know the safety rules, know what equipment is required for your vessel, that way you keep yourself out of trouble either with us, or Parks and Wildlife, or the Coast Guard," said McCarty.




If planning on heading out on the water, it is important to monitor the weather forecast. Once on the water, the conditions can change rapidly due to changing weather conditions.


"For some reason, no matter how prepared you are, something goes wrong; that is why we are here, mainly. As I said earlier, every single one of us is rescue certified; some of us have medical experience. Myself, I am an EMT, and everybody here has a broad range of certifications to be able to assist you in your time of need. We are always available 24/7, 365 days a year, and we respond in the coldest conditions, we respond in the best conditions; it doesn't matter, we will come help you if we can," said McCarty.




McCarty adds drinking and boating is never a good idea. There are boating under the influence laws, and they are fully enforced in Texas.


"We will be out random times throughout the week and weekends to ensure people are complying with the boating safety regulations, as well. Again, as I said, we work very close with the Game Wardens in this area. Sometimes you may see one of us with them, or you might see one of them with us, and having that partnership really plays in a lot to being able to convey a message to the people out here. We are not just out here to write you a ticket; we are out here to make sure ultimately that everybody goes home safe. The bottom line is knowing your limitations, know your experience level; if you don't know these waters you should not be on them and outside the channels until you know these waters. Make sure you are sober, make sure your operator is sober on the boat, and make sure you have a safety plan and some type of way to get a hold of emergency assistance i.e. cell phone or a marine radio," said McCarty.






The number one piece of insurance you need to have before heading out...Life jackets. State law requires that a life jacket must be available for each occupant of the boat and children under 13 years of age are mandated to wear one while the boat or paddle craft is underway or drifting. Despite these laws, in Texas last year, the number of citations issued for children not wearing a life jacket increased by more than 12 percent.






Other boating safety tips to keep in mind this summer include:





Take a boating safety course: Paddlers can find a free online safety course on the TPWD website. For larger vessels, anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993, must complete a boater education course to operate a personal watercraft or a boat with a 15-horsepower rating or more. Boater education courses are regularly offered in many locations around the state, or boaters can find a selection of online boater courses that can be taken anytime online.





Learn to swim: The American Red Cross offers swimming lessons by certified instructors across the state.





Use an ignition safety switch: Most boat and personal water crafts come equipped by the manufacturer with an emergency engine cut-off switch. This safety device can shut off the engine if the operator falls off the personal water craft or out of the powerboat, or is otherwise thrown from the proper operating position.





For more information about boating safety, laws and requirements, visit TPWD’s boating laws website.