Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announces National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22) and encourages all boaters to be safe on Connecticut’s waters and enjoy the upcoming boating season, which unofficially begins Memorial Day Weekend.
“Connecticut provides great boating opportunities in Long Island Sound and in its hundreds of rivers and lakes where boating offers endless hours of relaxation and outdoor recreation,” said Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner, DEEP. “All boaters should be properly certified and take all precautions to be safe while minimizing their impact on Connecticut’s natural resources.”
It is important for boaters to take a boating or canoe/kayak safety class which is required to operate a registered boat in addition to following safety guidelines such as dressing properly for the water temperature, wearing a personal flotation device (life jacket), properly maintaining your boat, and refraining from drinking alcoholic beverages while operating your boat. These simple steps and responsible boating practices will help create a safer, more enjoyable boating environment for everyone on Connecticut’s waters.
This year DEEP is offering a boating theme for each day of the week to inform the public on safe boating practices. For additional information on each subject, visit our website:
www.ct.gov/deep/safeboatingweek
Events open to the public include:
May 16 - Life Jackets
- Activity: live demonstrations- inspecting life jackets, recharging inflatable life jackets, and properly fitting a life jacket. A “Ready, Set, Wear It” event will also be taking place throughout the day. This will be in conjunction with the Great Park Pursuit.
Where: Visit boating website for more information: www.ct.gov/deep/safeboatingweek
- Activity: National “Ready, Set, Wear it” event, in conjunction with the US Coast Guard Open House
Where: US Coast Guard Open House, 100 Woodward Ave, New Haven, CT
When: 1:00 p.m.
May 20- Boating Education
Activity: join us to view the educational displays that were created by the 2015 DEEP- Boating Division Student Ambassadors.
When: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Legislative Office building corridor, Hartford, CT
Saturday, May 16 Life Jackets
Connecticut requires that each person on board a vessel have a life jacket that is properly sized, in good condition and is readily accessible. Children that are under age 13, must wear their life jacket while underway unless the child is below deck or in an enclosed cabin.
All persons must wear their life jacket at all times when: (1) underway on a manually propelled vessel (i.e. kayaks, canoes, standup paddleboards, rowboats) from October 1st through May 31st (2) on a personal watercraft (PWC) (3) waterskiing or being towed in other water sports.
Wearing a life jacket is a practice that is crucial to providing protection on the water and all adults and children need to be aware of its importance. Ninety percent of all Connecticut deaths from drowning in the water involved a person who was not wearing a life jacket and may have survived if worn.
Sunday, May 17 Dressing for Water Temperatures
Between October 1 and May 31, everyone on board a manually propelled vessel (i.e. canoes, kayaks, Standup Paddle Boards, rowboats etc.) must be wearing a properly fitting jacket at all times. DEEP’s Boating Division recommends that everyone wear a life jacket year-round when onboard a vessel. Connecticut is considered a cold water state, water temperatures can vary greatly even when air temperatures are uniform. Cold water can create dangerous conditions if you suddenly become immersed. Plan on the unexpected immersion, dress for the water temperatures, not the air temperature and wear a life jacket.
Monday, May 18 Operator Responsibilities
The operator is, ultimately, in charge of the vessel and responsible for the safety of the vessel, including passengers and cargo, the legal operation of the vessel, actions of the passengers, and the awareness of the weather, water hazards and environmental conditions. To ensure a great day on the water the operator should file a float plan with a reliable friend or relative, use a pre-departure checklist, ensure all safety equipment is onboard and in good working condition, ensure there is a properly fitting life jacket in good working condition for each passenger, and boat sober the entire time while on the water.
Tuesday, May 19 Keep Our Water Clean – Use Pumpouts
It is illegal to discharge boat sewage into Connecticut waters. Fines range from $75 - $25,000. Long Island and Fishers Island Sounds have been designated as No Discharge Areas by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nutrient overloading can harm animals living in the water. Too many nutrients can cause hypoxia, which is low levels of oxygen in the water. Connecticut has 98 land based pumpout facilities for servicing installed holding tanks on recreational vessels and 21 dump stations for portable toilets. This program is made possible by grant money provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service through a Clean Vessel Act grant. In 2014, over 995,000 gallons were kept out of LIS and over 1600 gallons out of Candlewood Lake.
Wednesday, May 20 Boating Education
Residents of Connecticut, persons owning real property in Connecticut or persons with vessels registered in Connecticut must have either a safe boating certificate or a certificate of personal watercraft operation to legally operate any vessel with a motor, or a sailboat 19.5 feet in length or longer.
Thursday, May 21 Boating Under the Influence
Nationally, alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; listed as the leading factor in 16 percent of fatalities from recreational boating accidents, according to USCG 2013 statistics. It is illegal in every state and territory to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. BUI laws pertain to all vessels, from canoes and rowboats to the largest ships.
Persons found to be boating under the influence can expect to incur penalties. If a boat operator is boating under the influence, the voyage may be terminated, the boat may be impounded and the operator may be arrested. Penalties in Connecticut include fines, jail, and loss of boating privileges. Connecticut had a total 4 BUI arrests in 2014.
Friday, May 22 Towed Sports
Towed water sports are a three person sport in Connecticut, requiring a: driver, spotter, and skier/tuber. The driver must designate a person on board the vessel as an observer. This person must be at least 12 years of age. The observer shall assist the operator and monitor the progress of the water skier.
Vessel operators should pay attention to their surroundings at all times and look around them before making sharp turns. Extreme caution should be used when approaching persons in the water. When retrieving water skiers from the water, the motor should be turned off prior to the water skier approaching and boarding the boat.
Coverage Opportunities
May 16 - Life Jackets
- Activity: live demonstrations- inspecting life jackets, recharging inflatable life jackets, and properly fitting a life jacket. A “Ready, Set, Wear It” event will also be taking place throughout the day. This will be in conjunction with the Great Park Pursuit.
Where: Wintergreen State Park, Hamden, CT
When: 8:30am-2pm
- Activity: National “Ready, Set, Wear it” event, in conjunction with the US Coast Guard Open House
Where: US Coast Guard Open House, 100 Woodward Ave, New Haven, CT
When: 1pm
If you are interested in either demonstration, please contact Wendy Flynn of the DEEP Boating Division at 860-463-6177 or gwendolynn.flynn@ct.gov
May 17- Dressing for Water Temperatures
Activity: Interview experts and see demonstrations of proper clothing and the importance of the “If found” sticker.
When: by appointment
Contacts and locations:
- Changing Tides PaddleCraft LLC. - Elizabeth O'Connor [changingtidespc@gmail.com], 203-903-5705
- Clarke Outdoors, Inc – Jenifer Clarke [clarkeoutdoors@gmail.com], 163 Route 7, West Cornwall, CT 06796, (860) 672-6365
- Collinsville Canoe and Kayak - Melissa Post [mel@cckstore.com], 41 Bridge St, Collinsville, CT 06019, (860) 693-6977
- Downunder - Kim Beaumont [kimb@downunderct.com], 575 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880, (203) 956-6217
- Kayak Waveology - Greg Paquin [coach@kayakwaveology.com], 860-304-4000
- Landfall Navigation - Campbell Woods [campbell@landfallnavigation.com], 151 Harvard Ave, Stamford, CT 06902, (800) 941-2219
- Sea Kayak Connecticut - David McPherson [david@seakayakct.com], 80 Danbury Rd, Wilton, CT 06897, (203) 247-9186
May 18- Operator Responsibilities
Activity: Vessel Safety Check being performed on a boat will be available for viewing/recording.
Where: Spicer’s Marina, Noank, CT
When: by appointment.
Contact: Yolanda Cooley of the DEEP Boating Division at 860-447-4343 or Yolanda.cooley@ct.gov
May 19- Keep Our Water Clean – Use Pumpouts
Activity: See how a pumpout is performed by new solar powered pumpout boats.
When: 8am-2pm
Where: Brewers Pilot Point Marina, located at 63 Pilots Point Dr, Westbrook, CT.
Contact: Kate Brown, DEEP CVA Coordinator, 860-447-4340 or kate.brown@ct.gov
May 20- Boating Education
Activity: join us to view the educational displays that were created by the 2015 DEEP- Boating Division Student Ambassadors.
When: 9am-1pm
Where: Legislative Office building corridor, Hartford, CT
Contacts: Jerry Desmond at 860-447-4350 or jerry.desmond@ct.gov
May 21- Boating Under the Influence
Activity: DEEP Environmental Conservation officer will be available for interviews.
Where: DEEP Marine Headquarters, 333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme, CT
When: by appointment
Contact: Captain Ryan Healy at 860-447-4360
May 22- Towed Sports
Activity: Lakeside Watersports will be willing to give a demonstration on safety with towed water sports.
Where: (Candlewood Lake) 16 Forty Acre Mountain Rd, Danbury, CT
When: by appointment
Contact: Chris Nuelle at 203-744-9884 or info@lakesidewatersports.com