Little Rock, AR -(AmmoLand.com)- The tragic death of country music singer Craig Strickland and friend Chase Morland serves as a shocking reminder that accidents on the water do happen, and can be fatal if hunters and anglers don’t take the extra precautions to make their vessel as safe as possible.
The two men died when their duck hunting boat capsized on Kaw Lake in Oklahoma, Dec. 27. According to Alex Hinson, boating safety coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, boating while hunting adds a few new dimensions to water safety.
“All the extra equipment hunters have can add a lot of weight, and you need to make sure the life jacket you’re wearing can handle the extra weight,” Hinson said. “Also make sure your boat can handle the extra gear and dogs you’ll be adding while waterfowl hunting.”
Hinson suggests bringing extra flotation in the boat, and a throwable personal flotation device can fit the bill nicely.
“Any boat over 16 feet long is required to have a throwable PFD onboard,” Hinson said. “But the seat-cushion throwables are great to keep in any boat regardless of size.”
Hinson says it’s also a good idea to show all passengers where your safety equipment is before setting out on the water. Having extra life jackets, signal beacons and fire extinguishers won’t do any good if you are thrown from the boat and the passengers don’t know where to look for emergency equipment.
If your boat capsizes where you can easily reach shore, you should try to get there and get out of the water, but if land is too far away, stay with the boat.
“A boat is much more easily seen than a head bobbing up and down in the water,” Hinson said.
Keeping your cellular phone and change of dry clothes in a dry bag or waterproof case can also mean the difference between life and death on the water in winter. Even if you are able to get out of the water, cold temperatures can sap your body heat and send you into shock.
“We always remind people to leave a detailed float plan with someone responsible as well,” Hinson said. “Don’t just say you’re going to go to the lake or swamp. Let someone know exactly where you are launching the boat, where you are going and when to expect you home. All of these tips are things you’ll learn in boating safety, but it’s important to remind duck hunters that a duck boat is still a boat and all safety regulations apply to them as well.”
Visit www.agfc.com/education/pages/educationboating.aspx to learn more about boating safety and to sign up for a free boating education class.
Boating education is mandatory to operate a motorboat or sailboat for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1986.
About Arkansas Game and Fish Commission:
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission plays an important role in keeping The Natural State true to its name. During the last 100 years, the agency has overseen the protection, conservation and preservation of various species of fish and wildlife in Arkansas. This is done through habitat management, fish stocking, hunting and fishing regulations, and a host of other programs.
For more information, visit www.agfc.com.