Water Patrol promotes safe boating Labor Day weekend

Special to the Daily Mail

Labor Day is considered to be the last big holiday weekend for boaters. The kids are already getting involved in school activities as the summer begins to wind down. For most families, the upcoming holiday will probably be their last vacation outing on the waterways. But Water Patrol officers say there are some things a boat operator might want to consider this Labor Day weekend.

Obviously, all boat operators need to be conscious of their alcohol consumption. In nearly 50 percent of the fatal boating accidents, alcohol impairment of the operator was a primary factor in the accident. With the large numbers of boats using our waterways, it is imperative that operators practice safe boating and drive responsibly, Water Patrol Officer Ralph Bledsoe said in a press release.

The Water Patrol recognizes the dangers of impaired boat operation and makes a concerted effort to identify and remove the drunk driver from the water. Few people realize that Water Patrol officers have the authority to arrest vehicle operators for driving while intoxicated in the parks and public access areas. Imagine a boater's surprise when they are arrested driving their personal vehicle in the access parking lot while in an impaired condition.

The mandatory education law that went into effect on Jan. 1, requiring all Missouri residents born after Jan. 1, 1984, to have a boater certification card before operating a boat/PWC on the lakes of the state, is finishing its first summer season. To date, The Water Patrol reports that 26,366 Missouri residents have successfully passed a boater safety class and have received Missouri boater certification cards.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2006, non-residents will also be required to have a boater safety course before operating a boat on Missouri waters. The certification for non-residents can either be the Missouri certification course or a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators approved course from their home state. Boaters will be required to show proof of successful completion of the approved course if stopped while operating a vessel in Missouri.

Reducing boating fuel costs

The price of a gallon of gasoline at the pumps has reached an all time high for motorists with no end in sight. That same gallon of gasoline if purchased for a boat on the water is even higher. Increasing fuel prices takes its toll on the family budget, causing us to restrict our leisure travel and conserve fuel whenever possible. Here are a few tips that could help stretch your fuel dollars:

* Leave the extra "junk" at home. Don't load the boat up with weight you don't need. A boat with less weight operates more efficiently.

* Tune your boat up. A tune-up is an excellent investment and could easily pay for itself over a summer.

* Tune your prop. You can lose up to 5 mph of boat speed with a poorly tuned propeller. If the prop is dinged or out of pitch, you can lose 10 percent of your speed and that converts to a 10 percent loss in fuel economy.

* Clean your boat's bottom. A fouled bottom is like a dull knife so it takes a lot more effort (fuel) to push it through the water.

* Watch your RPM's. Operate the boat at a speed that will keep it on plane without over revving the motor. Idling or shutting off your motor for longer periods of time will help save fuel.

* Be conscious of your operation time on the water. Limit your skiing type recreations and look for activities that do not require the use of fuels.

The Missouri State Water Patrol encourages all boaters to be alert on the water, courteous to your fellow boaters, and have a safe and relaxing Labor Day holiday weekend.