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Thursday, February 23, 2012 |
This month I want to try something a little different. Let me give you a scenario about saftey on the water.
Dad starts feeling a little odd and is having trouble breathing, then he just passes out. You call 911 but you still have to get the boat to the nearest dock and there is no one around. Can anyone else run the boat??? Dad always runs the boat, right??? Or, if someone fell overboard how do you safely return to that person without losing sight of them in the waves??? The coast guard and natural resources police have a lot of territory to cover. Minutes count in many of these situations. You hear sad stories like this every year. If the primary operator of your boat should be unavailable who else is qualified to run the boat??? The guys typically run the boat and get offended if a woman or anyone else wants to run their boat. This even happens with fishing buddies. ANYONE that spends a lot of time on a boat should have enough education and "wheel time" to be able to address emergency situations. This means wives, buddies, girl friends, and children. There is an age limit for operating a vessel but I doubt that anyone would hassle someone under aged that was able to bring a boat to dock in an emergency situation. Women - you should demand that you get the instruction and the opportunity to be comfortable running the boat. Keep after it until you are comfortable in a wide variety of weather and sea conditions, not just when there's no wind on a sunny day. Learn how to dock the boat. Kids - get them involved early. Take your time and be very patient. DON'T EVER exceed their comfort level. This will only scare them and completely turn them off the idea of learning these skills. I started with a small skiff at the age of 13 and have very specific memories of that level of freedom and responsibility. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Before you decide to start pushing toward this prepare yourself. Check out http://www.boat-ed.com. They have an online tutorial that walks you through the basics of boating. This course is the basis of many states boater safety programs (required to operate a vessel if born after a certain date which varies by state). This course is free!!!! Take it. If you need the certification card then they charge a fee. But if you want the education and don't require the card it's free. I encourage everyone to do this. Accidents can happen any time. Be prepared and don't be a "I wish I had only" person. Just as important, one of those beautiful evenings you may just decide to go for a little sunset cruise for the peace and quiet by YOURSELF and you can. Enjoy the sunset and be safe. |
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Online Resources
For weekly trends and bait suggestions check these online fishing report resources before you head out:
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Some Upcoming Outdoor Events
February 23, 2012 - Expert To Speak On Delmarva WIldlife The Globe - Berlin, MarylandFebruary 24, 2012 - Cool Configurations in a Nifty Sky Ashland Nature Center - 3511 Barley Mill Road - Hockessin, DelawareFebruary 25, 2012 - Reptiles Alive! Delmarva Discovery Center - 2 Market Street; Pocomoke City, MarylandMarch 6, 2012 - Spring Migration in March Program New Castle County, DelawareMarch 7, 2012 - Critical Area Talk Pub Room at Harrison's Chesapeake House - Tilghman, MarylandMarch 8, 2012 - Chesapeake Henson Science Hall 103 - Salisbury UniversityMarch 11, 2012 - Photography Series: Waterfowl and Raptors Ashland Nature Center - 3511 Barley Mill Road - Hockessin, DelawareMarch 15, 2012 - Build Your Own Rain Barrel DuPont Environmental Education Center - Wilmington, DelawareMarch 16, 2012 - Breakfast and Birding at Coverdale Farm Coverdale Farm Preserve 543 Way Road - Greenville, DelawareMarch 17, 2012 - Feathers in Focus Photo Shoot Pocomoke River State Park- 3461 Worcester Highway - Snow Hill Maryland |
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