Nat’l Safe Boating Week Underway

With the Memorial Day holiday nearing, many Iowans are getting their boats ready for launch and National Safe Boating Week starts this weekend.

 

Susan Stocker is the boating law administrator and education coordinator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Stocker says the numbers of boating-related arrests, injuries and deaths were all down in Iowa last year compared with 2012.  In 2012, there were 95 B-W-I arrests, 21 personal injuries and 10 fatalities.

 

Stocker says all boaters need to follow the rules and regulations while enjoying the water. She says there are no new rules for the boating season this year, but many carry-overs.  If the boat is at least 16-feet long, have a throwable device, like a life preserver, in case someone falls in and they can rescue themselves.