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B.E.S.A.F.E While Boating!
While the summer is beginning to come to a close, there are still plenty of weekends left to pack in those summer activities! When I think of summer, I think of freshly cut grass, hot dogs charred black on my rusty, old Weber grill, ripe watermelon for dessert, and of course, water. Whether it’s the sprinkler system, my plastic inflatable pool in the backyard, the emerald Florida shores, or the cool Cumberland Lake, when it gets hot, Americans in almost every state head for water. And with water, comes boats.
According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, 75 million Americans (that’s 32% of all American adults!) go boating during the summer months. However, whether you’re floating on a pontoon, racing in a speeder, or paddling in a canoe, it’s important to remember that boating involves the operation of a vehicle, in some cases a motor vehicle, and that with the operation of such vehicles comes inherent dangers. That’s why it is so important to follow the American Boating Association Guidelines to B.E. S.A.F.E.[1] and know your Boat, Equipment, Safety devices, Alcohol limits, First Aid, and Environment every time you go out on the water.
