Stay safe and afloat Published Aug. 23, 2012 By Michael Wolcott 377th Air Base Wing Safety KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. -- Although boating does not account for many mishaps in the Air Force, the potential for injury or death remains a concern. Each year, hundreds of lives are lost, thousands are injured and millions of dollars of property damage occurs because of preventable recreational boating accidents on U.S. waterways. Too often pleasure outings turn tragic. You -- as a boat operator, passenger or concerned individual -- can make a difference. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons recommend a vessel safety check for boaters. A VSC is a courtesy examination of your boat to verify the presence and condition of safety equipment required by state and the federal regulations. Items reviewed include registration/documentation and display of numbers; personal flotation devices; visual distress signals; fire extinguishers and sound-producing devices. VSCs are available in Albuquerque. Go to http://www.safetyseal.net/ for more information. Operator errors account for 70 percent of boating accidents -- take a boating safety course. Boating under the influence is also a problem for everyone on the water. The risk is high and the consequences severe -- know the dangers and avoid being a victim of BUI. The Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could save the lives of more than 80 percent of boating fatality victims. Always wear a life jacket while underway, and ensure everyone on board does, too. As a boat operator, you're in command of the safety of your passengers. Accidents can and do happen with terrifying speed on the water. There's rarely time to reach stowed life jackets. Take the time to prepare a float plan, because there are just too many facts that need to be accurately remembered and ultimately conveyed in an emergency. Federal law requires operators to file a boating accident report with their state reporting authority.