As boaters across the Midwest gear up for a big Memorial Day weekend at Lake of the Ozarks, here are some boating safety tips from the Missouri State Highway Patrol:
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.
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.
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 the Patrol points out you are never too old to wear a life jacket.
Life jackets are now lighter, less obtrusive, and more comfortable than ever. 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.
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 MSHP 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.”
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.
PHOTOS: Pontoons, PWCs & Wakeboard Boats At Spring Harbor Hop 2017
The skies cleared just in time for Harbor Hop weekend at Lake of the Ozarks.
Hundreds of boaters cruised the waters, enjoying the sunshine and hopping from one Lakefront establishment to the next as they assembled their 7-card poker hand in the event that kicks off the official boating season at the Lake.
The water was a bit muddy thanks to flooding from the previous week, but Bagnell Dam operators had controlled the Lake level in anticipation of the event, and traffic at the Lake—both on and off the water—was buzzing.
The photos below are of pontoons, PWCs, and wakeboarding boats, on Saturday, May 6, 2017.
Photos by Lake Shots Photography
These photos are copyright protected! If you want to buy one, our photographer would love it, and we would too -- just email the photo ID number to lakeexpo@yahoo.com!
Go-Fast Boats Roar At Spring Harbor Hop 2017 [PHOTOS]
The skies cleared just in time for Harbor Hop weekend at Lake of the Ozarks.
Hundreds of boaters cruised the waters, enjoying the sunshine and hopping from one Lakefront establishment to the next as they assembled their 7-card poker hand in the event that kicks off the official boating season at the Lake.
The water was a bit muddy thanks to flooding from the previous week, but Bagnell Dam operators had controlled the Lake level in anticipation of the event, and traffic at the Lake—both on and off the water—was buzzing.
The photos below are of performance "go-fast" boats, on Saturday, May 6, 2017.
Photos by Lake Shots Photography
These photos are copyright protected! If you want to buy one, our photographer would love it, and we would too -- just email the photo ID number to lakeexpo@yahoo.com!
PHOTOS: Spring Harbor Hop 2017 - Cruisers & Bowriders On Lake Of The Ozarks
The skies cleared just in time for Harbor Hop weekend at Lake of the Ozarks.
Hundreds of boaters cruised the waters, enjoying the sunshine and hopping from one Lakefront establishment to the next as they assembled their 7-card poker hand in the event that kicks off the official boating season at the Lake.
The water was a bit muddy thanks to flooding from the previous week, but Bagnell Dam operators had controlled the Lake level in anticipation of the event, and traffic at the Lake—both on and off the water—was buzzing.
The photos below are of cruisers and bowriders, on Saturday, May 6, 2017.
Photos by Lake Shots Photography
These photos are copyright protected! If you want to buy one, our photographer would love it, and we would too -- just email the photo ID number to lakeexpo@yahoo.com!
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