Prepare now for a safe boating season Published March 31, 2010 Air Education and Training Command KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Each year, many Team Keesler members and their families take to the water for pleasure. Operating a boat requires concentrated skill and a keen sense of awareness in the boat and on the water. A clear head and a responsible outlook are necessary to make a day on the water as smooth and safe as possible. Whether you're new to the water or a long-time boating enthusiast, safe boating is the key to ensuring your fun. Here are guidelines to get ready now: Take a boating safety course. Talk to the boat dealer and consult your owner's manual to learn as much as you can before operating your boat. Understand the safe operation of your craft, including throttle control and handling. Start slowly and get comfortable operating your boat. When trying new maneuvers or learning a new skill, operate at half-throttle or less. Know how to swim, and make sure everyone on the boat wears a life jacket or personal floatation device. Coast Guard statistics show drowning from simply falling overboard accounts for 25 percent of all boating fatalities. The captain should establish authority. He's responsible for the safety of his passengers, as well as for water skiers, swimmers, anglers and others in nearby boats who may be affected by his boat and its wake. The captain should be the designated driver and abstain from alcohol in order to safely drive the boat and its passengers to shore. He's also responsible for assuring that the crew and passengers follow the rules of the sea and drink responsibly. Alcohol's effects are increased on the water. Studies show it takes just one-third of the alcohol a person would consume on land to make them intoxicated on a boat. Passengers should consume only one drink or less per hour and shouldn't drink on an empty stomach or when taking medication. Carry safety equipment, such as floatation devices, flares, a foghorn or whistle, a strong flashlight, a first aid kit and a bailing bucket. Carry extra fuel in an approved, safe container. Obey the laws for waterway use and follow posted speed limits and wake restrictions. Use defensive driving techniques and slow down in crowded waters. Be aware that weather can change rapidly over water; wind and waves can kick up quickly. Don't exceed a boat's maximum passenger or load capacity. Distribute the load evenly. If onboard a small boat, insist that passengers remain seated. If the boat capsizes, have passengers stay with it. Don't jump boat wakes or cross the paths of oncoming boats. Let someone know the destination and estimated time of return. In case of an emergency, they'll know where to send help. For more information, call the safety office, 377-2910.