06-09-2007, 10:10 PM
CHEYENNE - Summer is upon us, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding everyone to boat "smart."
Game and Fish officers will be patrolling reservoirs to make sure watercraft and area waters are safe for everyone.
Officer Jacob Kettley of Green River says watercraft safety inspections are very simple.
"We identify ourselves to the watercraft users, check their fishing licenses and boat registration, and then ask them to show us one life jacket that fits properly for each person on board, a working fire extinguisher and, if their watercraft is 16 feet or more, we ask for a throwable device," Kettley said.
Wyoming law requires that a suitable coast guard approved life jacket must be available and accessible for each person on board. In addition, one coast guard approved throwable flotation device is required for most boats. Wyoming law also requires lighting for watercraft underway on waters between sunset and sunrise and fire extinguishers on most types of watercraft.
While it is early in the boating season, Kettley and his partner Ryan Kenneda have already witnessed a fair amount of watercraft violations, but say, by far, lack of a throwable flotation device is the most common violation.
"Most people proudly show us that they have multiple personal flotation devices, or life jackets, on board, but some look rather perplexed when we ask to see their throwable device," Kenneda says. "Most boaters think that just having these required items is good enough Unfortunately, they are wrong.
"I have seen many boats with life jackets stuffed away where they would be inaccessible if something were to happen. I have seen throwable cushions with the throw rope wrapped around the cushion, making them difficult to throw accurately when the need arises, and there is so little time to save someone who has fallen in cold water. All watercraft users must remember to keep their life jackets and throwable flotation devices accessible to everyone on board."
Kenneda adds it is extremely important to tell the occupants of your boat where everything is located in case of an emergency.
"Boat operators need to take responsibility for themselves and their passengers," he said.
"That means informing everybody where the safety equipment is located, especially life jackets, how to start the boat if you become unable to, and where the fire extinguisher is located. Unfortunately, many boaters neglect this responsibility and that spells trouble. Smart boating saves lives. Maybe it will be yours next time."
Kenneda and Kettley also have a message for personal watercraft users.
"In 2006 we wrote multiple citations for people on Jet Skis for jumping waves, playing "˜chicken' and traveling way too close to other watercraft," Kenneda says. "Some Jet Ski and Wave Runner users were cited for not wearing their life jackets and others cited because they were not old enough (16 years of age) to be operating a jet ski. Before you go out to have fun make sure you know what the laws are. We want you to have fun, but more than that, we want you to be safe."
Some states, like Colorado and Utah, allow younger jet skiers to operate personal watercraft under direct supervision of an adult upon completion of a PWC education course. Wyoming does not have a PWC Education Program, nor does Wyoming recognize the PWC certificates from other states.
Watercraft users also encounter severe weather conditions that can make matters very serious in a hurry if you are a boater.
"Each year we encounter boats with engine trouble which have to be towed into shore," Kenneda said. "Severe weather, lightning, rain and wave surges can come up very fast on the water. If your boat motor quits and a storm approaches you need to be prepared for the worst."
Kenneda, who has spent the past three summers doing watercraft enforcement, and Kettley, in his first year of watercraft enforcement, do a lot more than write citations. They do a lot of watercraft education.
"Writing citations is not our goal," Kenneda says. "A lot of what we do is education. We
hope to show people what they should be looking for when they chose a life jacket, throwable device or fire extinguisher, so that when the time comes for them to need this equipment, it works the way it was intended to and they will be safe."
Watercraft enforcement officers across the state will be out "in force" over the holiday weekend and watercraft users should anticipate watercraft safety inspections on their watercraft, as well as being asked for fishing licenses and boat registration.
Wyoming law also prohibits watercraft users to operate any watercraft under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
Boaters can view the 2006-2007 Wyoming Watercraft Regulations online or pick up a copy at Game and Fish offices and most license agents.
Game and Fish officers will be patrolling reservoirs to make sure watercraft and area waters are safe for everyone.
Officer Jacob Kettley of Green River says watercraft safety inspections are very simple.
"We identify ourselves to the watercraft users, check their fishing licenses and boat registration, and then ask them to show us one life jacket that fits properly for each person on board, a working fire extinguisher and, if their watercraft is 16 feet or more, we ask for a throwable device," Kettley said.
Wyoming law requires that a suitable coast guard approved life jacket must be available and accessible for each person on board. In addition, one coast guard approved throwable flotation device is required for most boats. Wyoming law also requires lighting for watercraft underway on waters between sunset and sunrise and fire extinguishers on most types of watercraft.
While it is early in the boating season, Kettley and his partner Ryan Kenneda have already witnessed a fair amount of watercraft violations, but say, by far, lack of a throwable flotation device is the most common violation.
"Most people proudly show us that they have multiple personal flotation devices, or life jackets, on board, but some look rather perplexed when we ask to see their throwable device," Kenneda says. "Most boaters think that just having these required items is good enough Unfortunately, they are wrong.
"I have seen many boats with life jackets stuffed away where they would be inaccessible if something were to happen. I have seen throwable cushions with the throw rope wrapped around the cushion, making them difficult to throw accurately when the need arises, and there is so little time to save someone who has fallen in cold water. All watercraft users must remember to keep their life jackets and throwable flotation devices accessible to everyone on board."
Kenneda adds it is extremely important to tell the occupants of your boat where everything is located in case of an emergency.
"Boat operators need to take responsibility for themselves and their passengers," he said.
"That means informing everybody where the safety equipment is located, especially life jackets, how to start the boat if you become unable to, and where the fire extinguisher is located. Unfortunately, many boaters neglect this responsibility and that spells trouble. Smart boating saves lives. Maybe it will be yours next time."
Kenneda and Kettley also have a message for personal watercraft users.
"In 2006 we wrote multiple citations for people on Jet Skis for jumping waves, playing "˜chicken' and traveling way too close to other watercraft," Kenneda says. "Some Jet Ski and Wave Runner users were cited for not wearing their life jackets and others cited because they were not old enough (16 years of age) to be operating a jet ski. Before you go out to have fun make sure you know what the laws are. We want you to have fun, but more than that, we want you to be safe."
Some states, like Colorado and Utah, allow younger jet skiers to operate personal watercraft under direct supervision of an adult upon completion of a PWC education course. Wyoming does not have a PWC Education Program, nor does Wyoming recognize the PWC certificates from other states.
Watercraft users also encounter severe weather conditions that can make matters very serious in a hurry if you are a boater.
"Each year we encounter boats with engine trouble which have to be towed into shore," Kenneda said. "Severe weather, lightning, rain and wave surges can come up very fast on the water. If your boat motor quits and a storm approaches you need to be prepared for the worst."
Kenneda, who has spent the past three summers doing watercraft enforcement, and Kettley, in his first year of watercraft enforcement, do a lot more than write citations. They do a lot of watercraft education.
"Writing citations is not our goal," Kenneda says. "A lot of what we do is education. We
hope to show people what they should be looking for when they chose a life jacket, throwable device or fire extinguisher, so that when the time comes for them to need this equipment, it works the way it was intended to and they will be safe."
Watercraft enforcement officers across the state will be out "in force" over the holiday weekend and watercraft users should anticipate watercraft safety inspections on their watercraft, as well as being asked for fishing licenses and boat registration.
Wyoming law also prohibits watercraft users to operate any watercraft under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
Boaters can view the 2006-2007 Wyoming Watercraft Regulations online or pick up a copy at Game and Fish offices and most license agents.