Spring weather brings out the boater in all of us

As the weather gets warmer, the temptation increases to get out on the water. But before you launch your boat, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Warden Captain Lee Anderson has some reminders to make sure you have a safe time on the water.

Anderson said the first thing people should do before they get their motorized boats out is to make sure the registration is current. While boat registration is permanent, validation decals have to be updated, because the Coast Guard doesn’t recognize permanent registration.

The decals are good for three years, and are free. 

“People need to check those and make sure they have a current one,” Anderson said. Then, he recommends doing a check to make sure everything on the boat is in working order, and making sure it’s equipped with safety items such as life jackets and fire extinguishers.

Non-motorized watercraft users also need to be particularly wary in these early months, when the water is still about 40 degrees.

“In the spring and even early summer, Northwest Montana has very cold waters,” Anderson said. “I really recommend folks wear their life jackets even if they’re adults. When the waters are this cold having one on is really a good idea.”

Anderson said that if a craft overturns, a person finding themselves submerged in cold water only has a few minutes to help themselves, which is why wearing a life jacket is so important.

“Your muscle control and motor skills are going to decrease very quickly,” he said. “You’re only going to have a few minutes where you can functionally swim or really do anything. If you have a life jacket on you can at least survive in cold water.”

Polson Fire Chief John Fairchild said boating on Flathead Lake is a serious endeavor. “This lake is not to be taken lightly,” he said. “You can have a bad day in a hurry.” He said being aware of changing weather is key, and knowing the weather forecast before you venture out on the big lake.

Anderson also said that trying to grab a life jacket as you are falling out of the boat isn’t always easy. However, there are new life jacket options that are less cumbersome. Some don’t inflate until you hit the water.

“Its like your seat belt — if you don’t have it on, it doesn’t do you much good,” he said.

According to a 2013 report from the U.S. Coast Guard, in 84 percent of drownings the victim was not wearing a life jacket. In fatal accidents with non-motorized craft, drowning was the leading cause of death. “It seems like each spring, we deal with, or search and rescue deals with, some incident one way or the other in the rivers during the high water, or just after the high water has come down,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the Flathead area has a fairly high rate of accidents and a lot of that has to do with the cold water. Even in the summer, water temperatures barely reach the 70s.

Whether heading out on the lake or a river, Anderson said recreationalist should always be prepared for the worst. He said in the vast majority of accidents no one was intending on going in the water. He reminds people to let someone know where you’re going, and when you think you’ll be back.

“It’s pretty simple stuff, but common sense stuff to think about,” he said.