The Memorial Day Holiday weekend is upon us, which means it is the unofficial start to summer and the boating season. We wanted to provide some information about boating safety. Our area is surrounded by several bodies of water in which we cover in the event of an emergency incident. These include the Potomac River, Wicomico River, St. Clement's Bay and all creeks and tributaries off of these bodies of water.

During the summer months, water related incidents are one of the most common call types for our department. These calls can include boat fires, boats taking on water, drownings, overdue boats, flare sightings and much more. Many of these incidents can be prevented if common sense and basic boating safety is used. Already this year we have responded to 14 water related incidents with the fire boat.

We hope all boaters use caution on the water, prepare your trip and never drink while operating a boat. Use the below safety list in preparation for your boating trip.

1. Develop a Float Plan - At a minimum let someone know where you are going and how long you plan to be gone.

2. Check the Weather - Check the weather prior to departure and have a means to get weather updates while on your boat.

3. Properly Use Life Jackets - Most drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket. Ensure you have the proper number and size life jackets for everyone on board. ***Anyone under 13 years old in Maryland in a boat underway less than 21 feet in length must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket.***

4. Take a Boating Course - Even if you are of the age where the law doesn't require you to have a boating course the information is very beneficial when operating a vessel.

5. Don't Drink while Boating - The odds of a boating accident are greatly increased while consuming alcohol while boating.

6 . Know Your Boat - Have a complete knowledge of the operation and handling characteristics of your boat

7. Check Your Equipment - Be sure safety equipment, required by law, is on board, maintained in good condition, and you know how to properly use these devices.

Here are several great websites to use for additional boating safety information.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/safety/
http://www.uscgboating.org/
http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/
http://www.americancanoe.org/
http://www.operationdrywater.org/

We hope everyone enjoys their boating trips and stays safe on the water!