Summer safety: 17 boating, kayaking tips
Top tip: Wear a life vest.
- Boating safety starts with a lifejacket.
- Watch the forecast and, on the Hudson and Sound, the tides.
Fourth of July weekend is about patriots and pyrotechnics, but some folks declare their independence by getting out on the water.
Before you Go Fourth, here's what you need to know to stay safe on the water, whether on a lake, the Hudson or the Long Island Sound:
In vest
If real estate is about location, location, location, then water safety is all about life jackets, life jackets, life jackets.
David Kovacik, senior ski instructor for NYC Water Ski and Wake Board School — which operates at Peekskill’s Charles Point Marina on the Hudson and on Lake Mahopac — says a good vest is a great investment.
“A Type 3 life jacket is the best money you’ll ever spend,” he says. “A life jacket gives you a 95 percent chance of surviving anything in the water. We’re big on life jackets.”
The Type 3 vest is so comfortable, you won’t even realize you have it on, the senior instructor said.
Timing is everything
On a busy boating weekend like the Fourth of July, boating safety is all in the timing, says Kovacik.
“During the week, we have the place to ourselves," he says. "But we won’t ski the lake on weekends after 1 o’clock, because there are so many people. It makes conditions impossible. During the week, you own it. You can pick your place.”
Kovacik says he always keeps one eye on the forecast, and when water skiing on the Hudson between Peekskill and the Bear Mountain Bridge, the tides.
Eye spy
Boaters have only so many eyes, so boats towing skiers, wake boarders or tubers are required to have a spotter to keep both eyes on the person being pulled.
If you’re behind the wheel of a boat and you see someone pulling a skier or tuber, give them room, Kovacik says.
Kovacik's best piece of advice is one familiar to parents teaching newly licensed auto drivers.
“Even though there are safety rules and everything, no matter what, figure that no one knows what they’re doing,” he says. “Whether you have rights or not, figure they’re going to hit you. That’s what we do. The rules of the road that people are supposed to know doesn’t really apply when you’re out there.”
Take inventory
Peter Gionet inspects commercial boats for New York’s Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Before inspecting Kovacik’s 20-foot Mastercraft boat in Peekskill recently — just one of 364 commercial boats he and his partner will inspect in a six-week period from Rye Playland to Massena to the Pennsylvania border — Gionet had some tips.
He suggests motor boaters do an inventory before they shove off, making sure they have life jackets, a throwable cushion, fire extinguishers and marine-grade flares.
“A boat flare has a handle,” he says. “You can hold onto it.”
Spread the word
Gionet also suggests a “float plan,” similar to a pilot’s flight plan.
“You always want to let someone know where you’re going, with a list of who’s on board, where you’re headed to, when you think you’re going to get there and when you think you’re going to return, what’s your cell phone number and who to call if you don’t show up.”
Patrols abound
While there are no open-container laws forbidding drinking and boating, Gionet says the legal intoxication thresholds remain. Although you can drink while boating, Gionet cautions against it.
On the Hudson, the Coast Guard, State Police, Park Police, Sheriff and Rivertown police monitor water craft.
“They’re looking out for everybody,” Guionet says. “It’s tough to see who’s drunk on the water, because there are no lanes. You can be a crazy guy out there, zigging and zagging, and be stone sober.”
But there are checkpoints, particularly on high-volume days like Fourth of July weekend.
Radio heads
At JFK Marina in Yonkers, Jerry Blackstone and Phil Giller are holding court hard against the Hudson, as volunteers prepare to welcome first-time kayakers to Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club.
Blackstone, who started the club in 2006, said there are two essentials for paddlers: a life jacket and a marine VHF radio.
“Every boater should have a radio where you can check the weather, and there’s a mayday channel that connects you to the Coast Guard and the police marine units who monitor the river. If you put a boat on the river and don’t have a radio, it’s crazy, in my opinion.” Blackstone says. “It’s waterproof, and it floats.”
Giller, who is the club’s vice commodore, has been kayaking for 15 years and runs the New York City Water Trail Association, a network of “human-powered boaters.”
Like everyone we spoke to, Giller stressed the importance of a good life jacket.
"I don’t care if it’s the middle of the summer, if it’s in April, if you ever fall out of your boat, this will keep you afloat," he said. "Lay on your back and, eventually, you’ll have to get help, but that’s the No. 1 thing."
Abide by the tide
On lakes, tides usually aren't a factor. Not so on the Hudson.
"It’s an estuary. The tide travels, at its max, at 2.5 knots. That’s a great speed," Giller said. "An average paddler can only paddle 2.5 knots an hour, so if you’re trying to go against the current that’s the same speed as what you can paddle, you’re not moving."
"If you’re a beginner, you’re not doing 2.5 knots. You may be doing 1.5, therefore you could be in serious danger. You could launch from here and the current could push you south a mile before you even know what’s happening. You need to know your conditions."
Watch the weather
Giller said paddlers should keep an eye on the forecast, and be prepared.
"If you go out there, what do you do if it starts thundering and lightning? You need to know where you can get out in an emergency. You need to know exit points and that you shouldn’t be out there in thunder and lightning."
What you bring is also key.
"You should prepare like you’re going to the beach," Giller said. "You always want to have water with you. You want to have a hat. You want to have sunscreen. You wouldn’t go to the beach without all those things. The sun is beating down on you worse in a kayak because it’s reflecting off the water. You’re actually getting it double. People don’t realize. They get a sunburn under their chin."
Buddy up
Giller said no one should go it alone.
"If you're new to paddling, find a paddling club near you," he said. "They’ll know the water and the conditions. If you’re a beginner and you call them and say, ‘I’m new and interested and want to come on one of your paddles,’ there’s not one club in New York that wouldn’t say ‘Come to one of our open houses and paddle with us.’”
Boat safely
Four knowledgeable boaters share their tips for a safe trip on the water. Note that each one starts with a life jacket.
David Kovacik’s top 6 tips
- Wear a Type 3 life jacket.
- Know the weather forecast. Don't boat when lightning is expected.
- Make sure your boat is in top shape. Use a professional mechanic.
- Keep clear of other boaters.
- If you're pulling a tuber or water skier, you must have a spotter.
- Know the rules of the boating road, but always boat defensively, assuming that the other guy won't follow the rules.
Peter Gionet’s top 5 tips
- Wear a life jacket.
- Make sure your craft has safety equipment: life jackets, a throwable cushion, fire extinguishers, and marine-graded flares.
- Make sure to file a "float plan," letting a friend know your boating plans, who's with you, how long you'll be gone and how to reach you.
- Take a boating course. (Find a course, or take one online at nysparks.com.)
- Don’t operate a boat while you’re drinking.
Phil Giller's top 5 paddling tips
- Wear a life jacket.
- Pack what you'd bring to a day at the beach. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat and water.
- Apply sunscreen under your chin. Sunlight reflects up off the water, making sunburned chins a likelihood.
- Don't go it alone. Join a paddling club or just ride along with them once to get to know the conditions where you're paddling.
- Mind the tides. On the Hudson or Long Island Sound, go with the tidal flow, making for an easier paddle.
Jerry Blackstone's top 2 tips
- Wear a life jacket.
- Use a two-way marine handheld VHF radio.
Resources
Learn more about boating safety, and find boating clubs, on these websites.
NYC Water Ski and Wakeboard School: MacDonalds Marina on Lake Mahopac and Charles Point Marina on the Hudson River in Peekskill. 845-754-5045. www.nycwaterski.com
Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club: Alexander Street at the Hudson River, Yonkers, New York. Also at JFK Marina, Yonkers. www.yprc.org
New York City Water Trail Association: The group's website has links to 30 member organizations — for any human-powered water craft — around the city and Yonkers. www.nycwatertrail.org
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Albany. www.nysparks.com/recreation/boating/