A recent Saturday afternoon incident on Grand Lake is prompting the Grand River Dam Authority Police Department to remind the public of important winter boating safety measures.
While trying to load a boat onto a trailer at the Twin Bridges State Park ramp on Grand Lake, an individual lost control of the boat, which ended up going in circles in the water, near the ramp. When he jumped in the water to retrieve the boat, it struck him, fortunately causing no major injuries. Eventually, he was able to point the boat towards shore and rode along until it grounded there. He was later admitted to a Joplin hospital for evaluation. According to GRDA Police, he was not wearing a life jacket.
The GRDA Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Oklahoma State Park Rangers responded to the incident.
Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident. However, it does serve as a reminder of the important extra precautions boaters should take in the winter months. Some of those are as follows:
·
Cell phones: Since there are few boaters on the water this time of year to flag down in case of an accident, the GRDA Police recommends boaters carry cell phones in case of emergency (dial 911). Those without cell phones can also contact the GRDA Police on Marine Band 16.
·
A whistle – attached to your life jacket – is also important for winter-time boaters. Using a whistle to produce a loud and effective call for help takes less energy than shouting and waving your arms. Also, because cold water can rob the body of its heat 25 times faster than cold air, it drastically reduces the time of exposure needed to experience hypothermia.
·
In case your boat does capsize in cold waters, the number one priority is to get as much of your body out of the water as possible. If you can, climb on to the overturned vessel or nearby debris or get to the nearest shore or dock.
·
Also, in cold winter temperatures, wet clothing is actually colder than less clothing and can lead to hypothermia more quickly. If possible, remove as much of the wet clothing as possible as soon as possible. You will be warmer with less clothing than with wet clothing.
·
D
ressing properly for winter boating is a very important step that should not be overlooked. While many people dress in additional layers to guard against the cold temperatures, all those layers can present a hazard if you do accidentally go into the water. When other clothing is tucked into bibbed overalls or wading pants it can actually cause the water to be trapped. That can cause the amount of energy needed to stay afloat to increase considerably at a time when muscles are cramping and movements are increasingly more difficult.
·
Today, there is a wide range of flotation-equipped cold weather gear available. It is designed to provide an individual with all the warmth they need without sacrificing safety.
·
Whether you are boating in January or July, it is also important to file a “float plan” any time you visit the water. Let someone know where you intend to be boating, who is going with you and when you expect to return. Providing a description of the vessel and the number of occupants is also important. Having a vessel that is in good working order is also very important.
·
Finally, when the weather is cold enough to produce ice patches on the lake, it is best to stay clear of the area, whether you are in a boat or just walking along the shore. Typically Oklahoma does not get those below freezing periods that generate ice that is thick enough to safely stand on.
By taking proper winter-time precautions, wearing proper gear and practicing the common sense boating safety tips that are applicable year-round, boaters can still enjoy the waters of Grand and Hudson lakes no matter what the calendar is showing.
