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Safety

I Hope I Never See This Again!

i hope i never see this again
I Hope I Never See This Again!
Saturday, May 31st after spending time at Coconuts during our Bar Hop Cruise, we left around 5:00 pm to head back to Camden on the Lake. While approaching the 4mm on the Gravois Arm I saw a Water Patrol boat stopping just ahead of us in the middle of the channel and turning around. At first I wasn’t sure what was going on then I noticed a person wearing a life jacket in the water that the officer was trying to help. As I approached I tried to position my boat where I could assist and then saw that the life jacket had come off the young man. I threw out our life ring and throw rope but there was no attempt to reach it. The officer did everything he could to save the young man including putting his own life in danger by jumping into the water, but was not able to hold on to him. As a note, except in some extreme cases you should never jump in the water to try to save someone drowning. The drowning victim, in attempt to save their own life, will try to climb the rescuer causing both to drown.

The young man was Brandon E. Ellingson, age 20 from Clive, Iowa. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Brandon “was being transported for boating while intoxicated when he stood up in the moving vessel, stepped to the edge starboard side and fell or jumped overboard”.

The Whole Incident Only Lasted Just A Couple Minutes
The Lake of the Ozarks is a beautiful place to live and vacation too, but when people drink on the water, no matter how much, always designate a captain and don’t let your friends drive their boat after they have been drinking. The men and women of the Water Patrol at the Lake of the Ozarks are brave and dedicated to the safety on the lake. As I wrote the title for this post, “I Hope I Never See This Again”, I think about how easily this could have been avoided. From the time I saw the Water Patrol boat stopping until it was all over, only a couple of minutes had passed. Things like this happen very quickly, and any captain before heading out for the day should go over what to do in case of an emergency.  Even if you were just out the day before, review safety equipment and what to do in case of an emergency with the passengers. If they are not familiar with your boat or you have moved safety equipment on the boat, it could make the difference between life and death.

Our heart and prayers go out to Brandon, his family and friends.
brandon 5-31-2014

Filed Under: Boating, Education, News, Safety

Mystery Behind Tragedy: The Grand Glaize

Grand_Glaize Story pic
Great story Creighton, Thanks for covering this event! A lot of safety improvements and requirements have been made in the last 60 years making boating on the lake much safer. This should also serve as a reminder for people looking to get out on the water that unforeseen circumstances can arise and you should always designate a captain and wear a life jacket. http://www.komu.com/news/mystery-behind-tragedy-the-grand-glaize/

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Boating, Education, News, Safety Tagged With: Grand Glaize, History, Lake of the Ozarks, Memorial, Tour Boat

Keeping Boating Fun and Safe

Keeping Boating Fun and Safe

FREE BOATING CLASS PUT ON BY THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

Whether you are new to boating or a seasoned captain, if you have never taken a safe boating class It can be educational and fun. This past Saturday I had the opportunity to sit in on the USCG Auxiliary boating safety course (ABS) put on by the Flotilla 52 Ozarks Region Coast Guard Auxiliary. It was a great experience and if you were born after January 1st, 1984, this class will fulfill the requirement to operate a boat or PWC (personal water craft) in the state of Missouri.

The instructors, Wilson Allsbrook, Deb Stoner and Carroll Vogel covered everything from required safety equipment to navigating your boat. For more information or to attend the next USCG boating safety class contact Wilson Allsbrook at: woa2640@gmail.com

FREE BOAT INSPECTIONS
The Coast Guard Auxiliary also performs free recreational boat inspections upon request. Boats passing a safety check are awarded a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Decal that lets Water Patrol, Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies know that your boat was in full compliance with all federal and state boating laws during the safety check for that year.

What If My Boat Doesen’t Pass?
If your boat does not pass, no citation is issued. Instead you are provided a written report in how to correct any discrepancies.

Having your boat inspected will give you peace of mind knowing that it meets federal and state requirements. Check with your insurance company-in many cases boating insurance agencies offer discounts for vessels which are inspected yearly.

2 Comments Filed Under: Boating, Education, News, Safety Tagged With: Coast Guard Auxiliary, Lake of the Ozarks, Water Patrol

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