{"id":75646,"date":"2024-08-13T15:00:10","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T15:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e1f62e10d6f95d081c5303f4f4bdf092"},"modified":"2024-08-13T15:00:10","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T15:00:10","slug":"6-water-safety-tips-amid-boating-deaths-with-alcohol-a-leading-factor-in-tragedy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/6-water-safety-tips-amid-boating-deaths-with-alcohol-a-leading-factor-in-tragedy\/","title":{"rendered":"6 water safety tips amid boating deaths, with alcohol a leading factor in tragedy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"article-gating gated-overlay\" readability=\"24.690978886756\">\n<div class=\"article-gating-wrapper\" readability=\"28.376199616123\">\n<p>Join Fox News for access to this content<\/p>\n<p>Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account &#8211; free of charge.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-gating-legal tablet-desktop\" readability=\"21.43949044586\">By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News&#8217; <span class=\"waslinkname\">Terms of Use<\/span> and <span class=\"waslinkname\">Privacy Policy<\/span>, which includes our <span class=\"waslinkname\">Notice of Financial Incentive<\/span>. <\/div>\n<p><span>Please enter a valid email address.<\/span><\/p>\n<footer class=\"article-gating-footer\"><span class=\"waslinkname\">Having trouble? Click here.<\/span><\/footer>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"speakable\">Hundreds of lives are lost each year on U.S. waterways due to recreational <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>boating accidents<\/u><\/span> that can be prevented, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable\">Last summer, 564 deaths and 2,126 non-fatal injuries from boating accidents were reported, according to a May press release from <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>the U.S. Coast Guard<\/u><\/span> \u2014 with the highest number of deaths occurring in the summer months of July and August.<\/p>\n<p>Alcohol was noted as the leading factor in those deaths, contributing to 17% of total fatalities.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>DRINKING ALCOHOL WEEKLY COULD BE CONNECTED TO 61 DIFFERENT DISEASES, STUDY FINDS<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Intoxication also played a role in 13% of all non-fatal boating injuries and property damage, which totaled $63 million in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That\u2019s why I never go on a boat on a weekend in the summer,&#8221; Mike from Long Island, New York, who did not want to share his last name, told Fox News Digital.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/boat-alcohol-safety.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/boat-alcohol-safety.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/boat-alcohol-safety.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/boat-alcohol-safety.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/boat-alcohol-safety.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/boat-alcohol-safety.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/boat-alcohol-safety.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/boat-alcohol-safety.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/6-water-safety-tips-amid-boating-deaths-with-alcohol-a-leading-factor-in-tragedy.jpg\" alt=\"Boating alcohol safety\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><span>Hundreds of lives are lost each year on U.S. waterways due to recreational boating accidents that can be prevented, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.&nbsp;<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;I know more people will be on the water and likely drinking.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>He said that while spending time on the water with <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>family and friends<\/u><\/span>, he&#8217;s witnessed boaters driving erratically and speeding with an alcoholic beverage in hand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Deadly consequences<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Just as with driving drunk on the road, boating under the influence is illegal and can have deadly consequences, water safety experts told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p>Alcohol is known to cause impaired judgment, balance, coordination and reaction time \u2014 all of which can put boat operators and their passengers at risk for accidents and fatalities.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>&#8216;IT FELT LIKE A MIRACLE&#8217;: FAMILY OF LOST GOLDEN RETRIEVER ROCKY SHARES IMPOSSIBLE REUNION STORY<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>It can also <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>impact vision<\/u><\/span>, leading to &#8220;decreased peripheral vision, reduced depth perception, decreased night vision, poor focus, and difficulty in distinguishing colors (particularly red and green),&#8221; according to the Coast Guard\u2019s website.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;<span class=\"waslinkname\">Alcohol and drug use<\/span> on the water can be more hazardous than on land, as the combination of the marine environment motion, vibration, engine, noise, sun, wind and spray accelerates a user\u2019s impairment,&#8221; Megan Ferraro, executive director of The ZAC Foundation, a water safety organization in Greenwich, Connecticut, told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/men-drinking-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/men-drinking-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/men-drinking-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/men-drinking-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/men-drinking-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/men-drinking-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/men-drinking-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/men-drinking-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/6-water-safety-tips-amid-boating-deaths-with-alcohol-a-leading-factor-in-tragedy-1.jpg\" alt=\"Men drinking on boat\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"7.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><span>Alcohol is known to cause impaired judgment, balance, coordination and reaction time \u2014 all of which can put boat operators and their passengers at risk for accidents and fatalities.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Alcohol consumption on the water also increases the likelihood of dangerous behaviors, such as swimming while intoxicated, falling overboard or capsizing the boat,&#8221; she went on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It can also increase the risk of hypothermia in the water.&#8221;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote\" readability=\"5\">\n<p class=\"quote-text\">&#8220;Alcohol and drug use on the water can be more hazardous than on land.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> <!----><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Drinking while boating or swimming is a lethal combination, Ferraro said \u2014 especially among young adults.<\/p>\n<p>Among recreational water deaths involving <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>U.S. adolescents<\/u><\/span>, 30% to 70% occur while drinking alcohol and swimming or boating, she stated.<\/p>\n<p>A boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.10% is more than 10 times as likely to die in a boating accident compared to an individual who did not consume alcohol,&nbsp;according to a Coast Guard estimate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/cooler-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/cooler-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/cooler-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/cooler-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/cooler-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/cooler-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/cooler-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/cooler-on-boat.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/6-water-safety-tips-amid-boating-deaths-with-alcohol-a-leading-factor-in-tragedy-2.jpg\" alt=\"Cooler on boat\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"7.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><span>Among recreational water deaths involving U.S. adolescents, 30% to 70% occur while they&#8217;re drinking alcohol and swimming or boating, an expert said.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alcohol also contributes to nearly a third of drownings each year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For lots of people, <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>summer is a time<\/u><\/span> to get outside and enjoy activities with friends and family,&#8221; Dr. George F. Koob, PhD, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), said in a comment to Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sometimes these activities involve alcohol.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>CHILD DROWNING PREVENTION TIPS: KEEP KIDS SAFE IN THE WATER THIS SUMMER<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Alcohol can put a damper on summer festivities, Koob warned \u2014 &#8220;from increasing the risk of sunburns to causing boating accidents and drownings.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs (BUI) is illegal in every state, the Coast Guard &nbsp;also said.<\/p>\n<p>Penalties can include fines, loss of boating privileges and even jail time.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>6 tips for staying safe on the water<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Besides <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>alcohol consumption<\/u><\/span>, the Coast Guard report also cited factors like operator inattention or inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and failure of machinery as contributing factors in boating accidents.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/life-vests.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/life-vests.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/life-vests.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/life-vests.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/life-vests.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/life-vests.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/life-vests.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/life-vests.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/6-water-safety-tips-amid-boating-deaths-with-alcohol-a-leading-factor-in-tragedy-3.jpg\" alt=\"Life vests\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"6.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><span>The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of more than 80% of boating fatality victims.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The U.S. Coast Guard website and water safety experts offered the below tips for staying safe while boating.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Avoid alcoholic beverages<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Designating a &#8220;sober captain&#8221; will help to ensure the safety of everyone on board and potentially others on the water, experts agreed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/343\/192\/iStock-coast-guard.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/686\/384\/iStock-coast-guard.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/672\/378\/iStock-coast-guard.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1344\/756\/iStock-coast-guard.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/931\/523\/iStock-coast-guard.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1862\/1046\/iStock-coast-guard.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/720\/405\/iStock-coast-guard.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/1440\/810\/iStock-coast-guard.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/6-water-safety-tips-amid-boating-deaths-with-alcohol-a-leading-factor-in-tragedy-4.jpg\" alt=\"US Coast Guard boat\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"6\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><span>The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that operators take a boating safety course.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;This person must refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs and always remain alert and capable of piloting the vessel safely,&#8221; Ferraro said.<\/p>\n<p>Koob also recommended avoiding alcoholic beverages while piloting a boat, <span class=\"waslinkname\">driving a car,<\/span> exploring the wilderness, and swimming or surfing.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP<\/u><\/strong><\/span><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Bringing along non-alcoholic beverages will help keep everyone refreshed and deter passengers and the boat operator from drinking alcohol, Ferraro added.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Having no alcohol while aboard is the safest way to enjoy the water, as intoxicated passengers are also at risk of injury and falls overboard,&#8221; the Coast Guard said on its website.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Remain vigilant<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;Boaters should remain vigilant on the water, as most incidents occur when you might least expect them \u2013 in good visibility, calm waters and little wind,&#8221; Capt. Amy Beach, director of inspections and compliance at the U.S. Coast Guard, said in a May 2024 news release.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"pull-quote\" readability=\"6\">\n<p class=\"quote-text\">A boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration above 0.10% is more than 10 times as likely to die in a boating accident.<\/p>\n<p> <!----><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The most frequent events involve collisions with other vessels, objects or groundings, she pointed out \u2014 &#8220;which is why it is so important to keep a proper lookout, navigate at a safe speed, adhere to navigation rules and obey navigation aids.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. Wear US Coast Guard-approved life jackets&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of more than 80% of boating fatality victims, according to its website.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><strong><u>CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Accidents can occur at high speeds on the water, leaving little time to reach for a stowed life jacket, the organization added.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. Perform a vessel safety check&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>This will ensure the boat is operating properly, the Coast Guard advised.<\/p>\n<p>The operator should also ensure that passengers are aware of propeller hazard areas and should account for passengers and children.<\/p>\n<p>Passengers should not be permitted to ride where they can fall overboard.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-ct inline\">\n<div class=\"m\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/343\/192\/boat-deck.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/686\/384\/boat-deck.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"192\" width=\"343\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/672\/378\/boat-deck.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1344\/756\/boat-deck.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"378\" width=\"672\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/931\/523\/boat-deck.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1862\/1046\/boat-deck.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"523\" width=\"931\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/720\/405\/boat-deck.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1440\/810\/boat-deck.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" height=\"405\" width=\"720\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.timesamerica.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/6-water-safety-tips-amid-boating-deaths-with-alcohol-a-leading-factor-in-tragedy-5.jpg\" alt=\"Boat deck\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\" readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><span>If someone falls overboard, the Coast Guard recommends stopping the boat and making sure the area is clear to start the recovery process.<\/span> <span>(iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If <span class=\"waslinkname\"><u>small children<\/u><\/span> will be on board, experts recommend babyproofing or childproofing the boat just as you would at home.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. Ensure safe pickups<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If someone falls overboard, the Coast Guard recommends stopping the boat and making sure the area is clear to start the recovery process.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"waslinkname\"><i><strong>For more Health articles, visit <\/strong><\/i><\/span><span class=\"waslinkname\"><i><strong>www.foxnews.com\/health<\/strong><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Never put a boat in reverse to pick someone up out of the water, the agency states.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, the operator should keep the person visible at all times and circle around going forward.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>6. Consider taking a boating safety course<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The U.S. Coast Guard recommends on its website that operators take a boating safety course. These courses are offered throughout the country, via organizations such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron and many state boating agencies.<\/p>\n<p>Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard for comment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Join Fox News for access to this content Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account &#8211; free of charge. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News&#8217; Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. 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