Three Safety Tips to Safely Get You Through the Spring Fishing and Boating Season

In many parts of the country, people are asking when did winter end and spring begin? Anglers and boaters are taking advantage of the unusually warm weather, but some may be forgetting that cold waters still lurk beneath the keel. Here's three easy safety tips from BoatUS.com/foundation that will help you get safely through the spring fishing and boating season.

1. Don't allow the warm weather to let your guard down: The air temperatures may be downright balmy, but deceptively cold waters increase the risk of hypothermia even on a "T-shirt" day. Also remember there are fewer boats out on the water that could come to your aid. Bring extra layers or change of clothes and rain gear this time of year.
   
2. Plan on how to get back in the boat: If you accidentally went overboard, do you have a way to get back aboard? You may be surprised how hard this can be - especially if you are alone or haven't prepared for it. It could be as simple as having a rope with looped foot holds affixed to a cleat that can easily be grabbed from the water. The BoatUS Foundation also tested after-market boarding ladders for small jonboats, RIBs and larger center console boats. You can view these tests at youtube.com/user/BoatUSFoundation/videos?sort=dd& A hardcopy of the tests along with a ranking of the best ladders can also be found at BoatUS.com/foundation/boardingladders.
   
3. Refresh your memory: Take a boating safety course now from the comfort of your own home. The no-cost BoatUS Foundation Online Boating Safety course, which is designed so that you can stop and then continue at any time, includes videos that demonstrate important safety devices such as flares, shows the rules of the road, how to get help in an emergency, and the best way to fit a life jacket to a child so they will not slip out. Go to BoatUS.org/onlinecourse. It may also help you save money on boat insurance and meet your state's requirements for boating safety education.
   

Model year designations for Evinrude outboard engines eliminated

BRP will eliminate traditional model year designations for Evinrude outboard engines. Beginning in April 2012, model year designations will no longer be used. Instead, the date of manufacture will be referenced on the serial number label, located on each Evinrude outboard engine. Benefits to model year elimination include:

·         Quicker Product Updates – Consumers will not have to wait for a model year transition to receive the latest product developments from Evinrude

·         Simplicity – Instead of tracking two model years, one for the boat and one for the engine, Evinrude outboard owners will only have to reference the model year of their boat package

·         Improved Inventory Management – Authorized Evinrude dealers and OEM partners will be able to manage their inventory more effectively and ensure the most recent Evinrude outboard models are available to their customers

“BRP remains committed to the award-winning Evinrude E-TEC technology, and the model year elimination is consistent with current standards in the marine industry,” said Steve Laham, vice-president of Sales, Marketing and After-Sales, Evinrude. “By eliminating model year, consumers will be provided with product upgrades earlier without having to wait for the start of a new model year.  Overall, this change will be positive for our customers, dealers and OEM partners worldwide.”

The model year elimination will not affect the warranty of any Evinrude outboard engine, nor will it affect the resale or trade-in value of an outboard engine or boat package. In states that require a manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO) for titling purposes, Evinrude will supply the appropriate MSO information to its dealer network.

Consumer questions about model year elimination can be directed to Evinrude’s customer service center at 1-866-EVINRUDE or by contacting an authorized Evinrude dealer.

Video Tutorial on Understanding Deep Cycle Marine Batteries

TROJAN BATTERY LAUNCHES VIDEO TUTORIAL SERIES TO EXPAND UNDERSTANDING OF DEEP-CYCLE BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY

Trojan Battery Company, the world's leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries, today launched "Trojan Tips," its video tutorial series created to provide in-depth information focusing on a variety of battery topics such as deep-cycle battery technologies, maintenance practices, charging procedures and safety when handling batteries. "Trojan Tips" is designed to expand awareness of deep-cycle battery technology.

The first "Trojan Tips" video tutorial can be viewed at http://www.trojanbattery.com/.

A new "Trojan Tips" video tutorial will premiere each month throughout 2012 on the Trojan Battery corporate Web site. The first "Trojan Tips" video, which debuts today, reviews the various battery technologies available on the market today, and what to consider when selecting a battery for a particular application. The public, as well as Trojan distributors, dealers and customers can log onto the Trojan Web site to view the video tutorials and learn more about a variety of deep-cycle battery topics.

"One of the most important features of electrically powered equipment, and probably one of the most ignored, is the battery," said Vicki Hall, Trojan's director of quality and technical services, and host of the "Trojan Tips" educational series. "The battery is the heart of any piece of electric equipment that relies on batteries for power. When a battery fails in a golf car, scissor lift or floor cleaning machine for example, it can make or break a day on the course or impact profitability on the job site. Proper understanding of this technology and maintenance practices are key to getting the most out of a battery investment."

Trojan developed the "Trojan Tips" series to educate the public on a variety of important battery-related subjects that can positively impact the performance and longevity of deep-cycle batteries used to power electrical equipment. Topics such as selecting the right battery, maintenance techniques and appropriate charging and equalization guidelines are just a few of the issues that will be addressed during the video tutorial series.

About Trojan Battery Company
Trojan Battery Company is the world's leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries and a battery technology pioneer, having built the first golf car battery in 1952. Trojan batteries provide power for a wide variety of golf, industrial, renewable energy, recreational and auxiliary power applications. Founded in 1925, the company is ISO 9001:2008 certified with operations in California and Georgia, and maintains two of the largest and most extensive research and development centers in North America dedicated to engineering new and advanced battery technology. For more information on Trojan Battery Company, visit www.trojanbattery.com.

Can Today's Boaters Learn Anything from the Titanic?

As the world solemnly marks the April 15th centennial of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, boaters and mariners alike can appreciate the vast improvements in maritime safety that were a result of the tragic sinking. In 1914, two years after Titanic's loss of 1,503 lives, maritime nations gathered in London, adopted the International Convention of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS Convention) and put in place a series of measures learned directly from the tragedy. Do any of those lessons learned relate to today's recreational boater or angler? BoatUS set to find out. 

Slow down: The commission that investigated the sinking found that excessive speed combined with the prevalence of ice flows was a major factor in the disaster. Do you slow down when boating at night, in foggy weather or when in unfamiliar waters? Any time you're out on the water and something doesn't "feel right," slowing down is your best first move, giving you critical time to react. 

Call for help: The radio that the Titanic used to send out the SOS had a limited range of only 200 miles and the airwaves were "crackling," leading rescuers to misinterpret her position. Also, sadly, the vessel closest to her, the Californian, had shut down her radio for the night. Today's US Coast Guard Rescue 21 system now covers over 40,000 miles of US coastline and some major rivers, taking the "search" out of search and rescue 24/7 by providing accurate location information with the simple push of one button - but only if your boat has a DSC VHF radio and it is properly connected to your GPS/chartplotter. Unfortunately, today the USCG reports that most DSC VHF radios are not connected to a GPS/chartplotter. If you travel offshore or boat alone, an EPIRB or personal locator beacon can also speed your rescue. On larger bodies of water a cell phone should only be considered a back-up emergency communications device, and always have your VHF on and tuned to channel 16. 

Give a safety briefing to guests before you leave the dock: Regrettably, no lifeboat drills were held aboard the Titanic, the crew lacked training in their operation, and there was no public address system. Today, before they head out, recreational boaters and anglers can simply share with guests the location of the safety equipment and how to use gear such as the VHF radio, distress flares, fire extinguisher, or inflatable life jackets. 

Have a life jacket for everyone aboard - that fits. The Titanic did not have enough critical safety gear, such as lifeboats, for all her passengers. Do you have enough correctly-sized life jackets for everyone aboard and are they readily accessible? A child in an adult size life jacket could easily slip out simply by raising their hands above their head.

For more information on boating safety, go to www.BoatUS.com/Foundation

Ethanol and Older Outboard Boat Engines

Ever since E10 gasoline (gas containing 10% ethanol) became widely available several years ago, the nation's largest recreational boat owners group, BoatUS, has received hundreds of calls and emails complaining about boat engine problems. The majority of complaints concern older outboard motors, those made before about 1990. BoatUS' Seaworthy magazine asked Mercury Marine's Ed Alyanak and Frank Kelley, who between them have over 60 years of experience, to find out what's made these decades-old outboards more susceptible to ethanol's well-known problems and what owners can do. 

1. Vulnerable hoses: In the mid 1980's new standards (SAE J1527) for fuel hoses were developed for "gasohol," which was known to deteriorate rubber and plastics. Since then, problems with hoses have largely gone away, but that doesn't mean they are maintenance free. Tech Tip: Any hose older than 10 years should be replaced. Here's another way to test rubber fuel hose condition: wipe a clean rag along the hose. If you smell gas on the rag, replace the hose immediately. 

2. Carburetors: O-rings and rubber carburetor parts on older engines tend to get hard and brittle when exposed to ethanol and then break off in bits and pieces causing clogs, misfires and shutdowns. Pre-1990 carburetors were also made from alloys that didn't stand up to ethanol, leading to corrosion that can cause tiny fuel orifices to clog, resulting in hard starts and poor running. Old carbs are also "dumb" in that they were designed to run on only one type of fuel. Ethanol, however, has more oxygen and affects the air/fuel ratio, causing engines to run leaner and hotter. Tech Tip: The best solution with old outboards is to run straight gas - if you can find it. Some mechanics may also have the ability to "recalibrate" a carburetor to tolerate E10 (note: gas with ethanol greater than 10% should never be used with any boat engine). 

3. Plastic fuel filter bowl: Some older engines may have plastic fuel filter bowls. Tech Tip: If you still have one, replace immediately with a metal bowl. 

4. Fuel fill gasket: Keeping water out of the fuel tank is even more important with ethanol as it can eventually lead to the formation of two separate solutions in the gas tank (water and fuel), also known as phase separation. The process is more common on older boats which are more likely to have accumulated water at the bottom of the tank. Once phase separation happens - the tipping point when water in the gas is either harmlessly ingested or transformed into a corrosive mixture no engine will run on - there's no going back. No fuel additive can restore E10 back to its normal state. Tech Tip: Age and exposure to ethanol can rot fill gaskets or O-rings. Replace them every few years. 

5. "Gunk" in the tank: It is still possible that some old outboards and boat fuel systems have yet to sip a drop of E10. But once your boat drinks its first tankful, ethanol will "scour" or dissolve the gunk that's been coating the tank walls (and hoses) for years. Tech tip: You may want to think about hiring a professional to have the tank drained completely of any gas and water at the bottom before adding your first load of E10. If not, keep a supply of filters on hand - they will clog quickly. Always use a fuel stabilizer and avoid using octane boosters that contain ethanol.

For more information on ethanol and boat engines, go to http://www.BoatUS.com/seaworthy/ethanol.asp.

Five Inflatable Life Jacket Myths: Do You Know the Truth?

Inflatable Life Jackets - which automatically or manually inflate with the tug of a pull cord - have been around over 25 years, but there are still quite a few misconceptions about how these life saving devices work. The BoatUS Foundation set out to debunk some of the myths: 

1. Inflatable life jackets are zero maintenance - Let's face it, pretty much nothing on a boat is zero maintenance. Before you head out for the day, simply check to ensure the CO2 cylinder is screwed firmly in and you can see the green indicator tab. Once a year, take it out and blow it up with your mouth, wait overnight, inspect for wear and check for leaks. Repacking is a task made simple - a few folds and a tuck - as instructions are found printed inside the cover flap. Most life jackets that automatically inflate when you hit the water also have small dissolvable components that periodically need replacement, but it's a simple process. A rearming "kit" comes with everything you need. 

2. One size fits all - While most inflatables are sized as "universal adult," all have adjustable cinch straps that will provide a good fit for nearly every size of grown-up on the boat. Inshore-type jackets tend to be less bulky and are more compact than those jackets designed for offshore use. There are no inflatables for kids under 16, but the BoatUS Foundation is working with other national boating safety groups and the US Coast Guard to increase support for inflatable jackets that are more suitable for kids. 

3. Not a lot of choices - Actually, there are. Once you get past a range of colorful designs, there are two basic styles of inflatable life jackets: over-the shoulder suspender-style and waist-fitting belt pack. All US Coast Guard-approved inflatable life jackets have a mark showing its type and how it should be used. A big advantage is that inflatables can provide nearly twice the buoyancy of similarly-rated foam life jackets, and are also are better in terms of righting a person in the water, when compared to some other traditional types. 

4. Inflatable life jackets are too expensive - Inflatable life jackets start at under $100. That is a real expense for some, but consider that a cheap life jacket that no one will want to wear is as useless as a hook without the worm. Belt pack types tend to be less expensive than suspender style, while automatically-inflatable types or those with extras like an integral sailing harness increase the price. 

5. Inflatable life jackets are uncomfortable - Baloney! Inflatable life jackets are compact, don't trap body heat, give full body movement, and can be as unobtrusive as small bait pouch attached to your belt. Look for one that has a neoprene chafe guard around the neck and one that can be adjusted to prevent it from shifting from side to side.

For more information on inflatables, go to: www.BoatUS.com/foundation/inflatable.

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by the half-million members of BoatUS, it provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways and keeping boating safe for all. To make a tax-deductible donation to this 501(c)(3) nonprofit, go to www.BoatUS.com/foundation.

Safety Urged for Early Season Boaters

 New Jersey State Police Urge Safety
for Early Season Boaters

New Jersey has been fortunate this year with unseasonably warm weather.  The spring-like days after a tame winter has already brought anxious boaters back out onto the frigid waters. Sometimes those adventurers pay for their enthusiasm with their lives.  This year, State Police have received no notifications of cold-water-related deaths, but in 2010, five fatal boating accidents occurred in March alone in New Jersey.

The off-season months are very dangerous for boaters because of the increased speed at which hypothermia sets in when mishaps occur.  Despite recent 60+-degree days, water temps on the Delaware River in the in the Trenton area are still in the mid 40s.  The Atlantic Ocean is only in the low 50s, and deeper lakes in the state are about the same.

Falls overboard are the most common types of fatal boating accidents, and boaters hitting that frigid water quickly find their strength sapped and their movements slowed down.  The human body cools down 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air.  Within minutes of being in the water, people can lose manual dexterity, muscle coordination and breath control.  Even strong swimmers can become drowning victims without the aid of a personal floatation device (PFD).

A common misconception is that in cold water, hypothermia will kill a person quickly, regardless of whether the person is wearing a PFD.  While hypothermia is a serious threat to life, most people would survive sudden immersion into cold water, and ultimately be rescued, if they were wearing a properly fitted US Coast Guard approved PFD when the accident occurred.

Be aware of the “Involuntary Gasp Reflex”
When a person is suddenly immersed in cold water, they will experience an “Involuntary Gasp Reflex” during which the person will immediately exhale, this will be followed immediately by an uncontrollable gasping for air.  As this occurs the person will generally panic, and, lacking a floatation aid, may begin to involuntarily inhale water and drown.  In many cases, drowning occurs long before the effects of hypothermia are experienced.  Again, the best defense is to wear a PFD.  While the PFD will not eliminate the gasp reflex, or the associated discomfort, the PFD will immediately float the person to the surface, thus allowing the person to be rescued.  Some PFDs will even turn an unconscious wearer face-up, allowing badly injured or exhausted individuals to be rescued. 

Boating Safety Tips
Always wear a life jacket.  Life jackets are an essential component to safe boating. There are many styles of life jackets available for a multitude of purposes including both extreme heat and cold.

Life Jackets Must Be:

• US Coast Guard approved
• In good and serviceable condition
• The appropriate size for the intended user.
• Wearable lifejackets must be readily accessible.
• You must be able to put them on in a reasonable amount of time in an emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc.).
• They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them.
• The best lifejacket is the one you will wear.
• Throw-able devices must be immediately available for use

Prepare properly

• Place your mobile phone in a waterproof plastic bag and keep it on your person.
• Leave a “Float Plan” with a close friend or relative.  A blank float plan can be found on page 43 of the New Jersey boating Safety manual.  The boating safety manual is available on the Marine Services Bureau web-site at www.njsp.org/maritime.
• Check the weather forecast
• Speak with locals to learn about local boating hazards
• Bring charts and maps of the area
• Check all safety equipment including VHF radios, GPS devices, emergency locator beacons and flares
• Pack a first aid kit robust enough for significant injuries that could occur while boating/hunting/fishing.
• Pack food and water, even for a short trip.
• Make sure your boat’s drain plug is in place

Dress to protect against hypothermia
Water temperature below 90 degrees is considered cold enough to cause hypothermia. Body heat is lost 25 times faster in water than in air of the same temperature. Dress in layers that will trap body heat even when wet. Wool and Polypropylene are good materials for such conditions. Avoid cotton fabrics. 

Follow all boating regulations
This includes having a wearable, Coast Guard-approved PFD for each person on board. Vessels that are 16’ in length or greater must also carry at least one type IV (throw-able) PFD.  Check the capacity plate of the vessel and be certain not to overload or overpower the vessel. 

If you should find yourself in the water
Relax and stay with the boat. If your vessel has capsized, try to climb out of the water and on top of your capsized boat to await rescue.  Do not worry about trying to salvage gear.  Anything that falls overboard is worthless compared to the value of your life. 

Additional Maritime Information
For more information about New Jersey boating laws and regulations, please visit the New Jersey State Police, Marine Services Bureau website at: www.njsp.org/maritime.