Today, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and others held a media availability at Blue Marsh Lake, Berks County, to promote safe boating statewide throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend.

For many Pennsylvanians, Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end to the popular summer boating season which began on Memorial Day weekend, and is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of boaters, anglers, and water sports enthusiasts on 86,000 miles of rivers, lakes, and streams across the Commonwealth.

While boating activity continues year-round, weather permitting, on many waters, most boaters will reduce their activity just as school resumes and attention turns to other fall activities.

The PFBC reminds boaters to keep safety a top priority throughout Labor Day weekend and follow several basic safety steps before and during each boating adventure:

• Wear a life jacket

• Never boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs

• Have a float plan to let someone know when and where you’ll be boating

• Be aware of weather conditions

Boaters are also encouraged to use online resources at Fishandboat.com to research the waters they plan to visit in advance of their trip and take a basic boating safety course.

DOWNLOAD VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/a_1l0qQmv1g

SOUND BITES:

Shane Casey, PFBC Waterways Conservation Officer:

“Unfortunately, each year, people lose their lives while boating, and it could have been prevented.  Nationwide each year, approximately 80-percent of victims who die in boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket.  Here in Pennsylvania, ten people have lost their lives while boating this year.  Seven of the victims were not wearing life jackets. Ask yourself if you’d be willing to take that same chance or allow your friends and loved ones to take that chance when you head out boating this summer.”

Jeffrey Piscanio, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

“Our members of law enforcement don’t head out every day with the goal of ruining everyone’s good time.  I just want to remind you, though, it is our responsibility, collectively, to make sure everyone remains safe.”

Jonah Eckert, USACE, Chief Ranger, Blue Marsh Lake:

“Simply put, impaired boating increases the chances for an accident.  Just like operating a motor vehicle on the roadway, in Pennsylvania, a person operating a boat is over the legal limit if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration of point-zero-eight (0.08%) or higher.  Alcohol affects your balance, coordination, and judgment, and BUI Penalties include loss of boating privileges, significant fines, and imprisonment.

Adam Spangler, PFBC Boating and Watercraft Safety Specialist:

“Over the past several years, we have seen an incredible increase in boating, especially in paddle craft such as canoes, kayaks, and standup paddleboards.  While we welcome this explosive growth in boating here in Pennsylvania, we know that many new boaters will hit the waterways, the streams, the lakes across Pennsylvania, with very little, or no knowledge of the water they’re getting onto.”

“Have a float plan. Have a Float Plan.  You can simply send a text message or write a note to someone letting them know where you are going to be, how long you expect to be there. And plans can change when you’re out there on the water, so you want to keep those people up today if you change location or move to a different spot.”

PA Rep. Barry Jozwiak, 5^th Legislative District, Berks County:

Summer’s fast-moving storms can cause water levels to rise quickly and become dangerous.  High water conditions can affect visibility and hide submerged obstacles such as logs and rocks that could cause you to capsize or damage your boat, causing it to become inoperable.  Check the forecast before and during your boating trip.”