Pinellas County fire and rescue officials stress boating safety
By Brian Spegele, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Friday, July 3, 2009
Clearwater Fire and Rescue’s Marine 44 comes into view as firefighter Brad Golomb plays a distressed boater during a rescue demonstration Thursday morning that included the Safety Harbor and St. Petersburg agencies.
CLEARWATER — Fire and Rescue officers know Pinellas County boaters will be out in force during the holiday weekend, and they're bracing for the worst.
Every year, reckless boaters — often under the influence of alcohol — cause more than 500 emergency calls, dozens of injuries and more than a few deaths on the waters in and around Pinellas County.
And while rescuers say they will be ready to help this weekend, they stressed that boaters must also act responsibly. From taking safety courses to designating a sober captain or just using common sense, the burden of responsibility should rest with the individual, rescuers said Thursday at a Sand Key safety and rescue demonstration
Florida often is the state with the highest number of boating accidents per year, authorities said, leaving some officials to suggest greater regulation
In some areas, recreational boating has gone largely unchecked. In high-traffic conditions — which the Suncoast will likely see this weekend — carelessness carries great risk.
"There's no question everyone has to assume responsibility," said Fire Chief Jamie Geer.
Six states and the District of Columbia require all boat operators to be licensed. Florida doesn't require licenses for most adults older than 21.
Many accidents could be avoided through more training, rescuers say.
Scant regulation doesn't make sense, said Clearwater City Council member George Cretekos while watching the safety demonstration Thursday. He's considering adding the issue to his "legislative wish list," he said.
"You can never be too careful when your life is at stake," Cretekos said.
An influx of visitors each year fuels boat and personal watercraft rentals. Renters often have minimal safety training and don't know how to act in an emergency, officials said.
"You would think it would be a lot of the tourists coming," said Assistant Fire Chief Kent Watts, noting that locals appear equally to blame.
A third of the time, those in serious boating accidents have been drinking, Watts said. Too often, he and others say, boaters think consuming alcohol won't affect them in the gulf's wide-open spaces.
But Coast Guard spokesman Robert Simpson said alcoholic beverages have a greater effect on the water. From dehydration to the motion of the boat, alcohol's effects become more pronounced at sea, he said.
"Of course we are going to have more of a presence on the water," Simpson said of this weekend's Coast Guard patrols.
Those found with a blood-alcohol level above 0.08 will charged with boating under the influence, he said.
Matthew Aime, 26, was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday for the death of his friend in a boating accident in 2005. While piloting the boat, Aime's blood-alcohol level was 0.16.
Regulations or not, authorities agree safety is up to boaters themselves when they take to the water this weekend.
"The maritime environment is one of the most dangerous," Simpson said. "That's why you take as many safety precautions as you can."
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