Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

If you’re someone who likes lists, we have one that’s perfect to post on the fridge.

07— That’s right. Our Nobody’s Waterproof campaign says ‘enjoy a great day on the water, and here’re six tips to help you do that.’

Laurie Connally is the Parks and Wildlife boater education specialist for Central Texas. These common sense tips include 1) wear a life jacket, 2) drink responsibly and designate a sober boat driver, 3) obey boating signs and rules, 4) drink plenty of water, 5) keep the proper gear on board, and 6) never boat or swim alone. With respect to the last tip, Connally recommends filing a float plan.

13—it tells the basic information: where you’re going, when you’re leaving, who’s on the boat with you, and what time you expect to be back. And then you leave that with someone so that if for any reason you’re not back, there’s someone saying, ‘Hey, we need to go look for these folks.’

Telling people where you’re going will give them a starting place to look for you if you’re late in returning home. Connally also recommends having a GPS with you—many smart phones come with them. A GPS can help you find your way back in case you get turned around. However, she says the best tip of all:

02—We really encourage them to take a boater safety class.

Find boater safety class information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

And remember: Nobody’s Waterproof…

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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This is Passport to Texas

Boating safety is Laurie Connally’s business.

11— My primary goal and purpose is to educate and train volunteer boater education instructors who can then go out and offer classes and spread the word about boating safety to other individuals.

Connally is the Parks and Wildlife boater education specialist for Central Texas. Because boating is generally a carefree recreational activity she says people will forget to exercise caution.

12—I think a lot of people just don’t understand the responsibilities involved. A lot of the boats have a lot of power, and even if you’re using something like a paddle boat, there are other boaters out there who may or may not be aware of the laws and rules and regulations.

To learn your responsibility when on the water, Connally says nothing beats taking a boater safety class. And she recommends making it a family affair.

11—Mom, dad, children—they’re going home and talking about it. They get to take great materials home with them. And they can compare their stories, and I think it would be a really good opportunity for them to learn together.

When you know the rules and etiquette for spending time on the water, you and everyone around you—even if they’re clueless—will be safer for it.

Six things you should know when you’re on the water—that’s tomorrow.

Remember: Nobody’s Waterproof…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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During hot summer days when you’re zipping around in a boat on a Texas Lake, a cold adult beverage could really hit the spot. While it may be legal, research suggests boat operators should avoid drinking while boating.

06—National statistics show that upwards of fifty percent of boating accidents involve alcohol.

Steve Hall is Education Director at Parks and Wildlife. The good news is Texans are involved in fewer alcohol related boating accidents than the national average.

15—In fact, it’s down around 10% in Texas. But still again, alcohol is involved way too many accidents.

Hall says everyone on a boat needs to keep their alcohol consumption in check.

08—If you’re the operator of the boat, you’re going to have to try and avoid it. Even the passengers should not overindulge, because they’re the proper boat lookouts.

The most common cause of a boating accident is failure to have a proper boat lookout, which is basically the failure to see what’s in front of you—like a stump, a dock, or another boat.

11—It usually happens on clear days. It usually happens on calmer waters. So, we know that those boating accidents could be prevented by having a second person on board that’s avoiding alcohol as well.

That’s our show… We receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…working to increase fishing and boating opportunities in Texas…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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This is passport to Texas

We’re on the threshold of summer, which means more Texans will be on the water…and they won’t be alone.

:07—I’m Sgt. Chopan with the police department with the Grand Prairie lake Patrol unit. I’m just wanting to check to make sure you have all your safety equipment on board. You have your life jacket?

Lake Police, like Sgt. Chris Chopan, and Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens will be on the water, too.

:06—Lake patrol is sometimes is good because the public likes to see you, whereas when I’m driving in a car they usually don’t want to see me.

Everyone aboard a boat must wear a life jacket.

:09—Do you take the dog out often? Yeah, we’ve got three of them and they all have life vests. Sometimes, it’s amazing, you know, they’ll put lifejackets on their dogs, but they won’t put lifejackets on their kids.

Even people in the water need to think safety first.

:21—Not safe for you to be here, No good. No bueno. Too many boats. Twenty-four feet of water, no life jacket, inflatable swim ring, and we wonder why we have to come pick them up later. I’m almost tempted to pick him up and get him out of there – what do you think? This is not illegal probably, but it sure is dumb.

You can play it safe on the water this summer and still have a boatload of fun as long as you remember that Nobody’s Waterproof… Visit the Texas parks and Wildlife website for more information about boating safety.

That’s our show for today… we receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration program…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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This is Passport to Texas

It’s illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; the consequences of doing so can be devastating. Just ask Kay Rock.

:15—At three o’clock in the morning, my husband and I were awakened by a policeman and a chaplain knocking at our front door. As soon as I saw them, I knew it was something bad. And the only question I had was, ‘which child is it?

The boat carrying Kay Rock’s 22 year old daughter was struck from behind. The driver of the other boat had been drinking at a lakeside bar…and in an instant, Debbie Rock’s name joined a growing list of boating fatalities.

:28—And I’m sorry, but this is kind of a hard part. Is that Debbie was not just a number on a court docket; and she was not just a number on the coroner’s report. She was a real, real person. And she had a lot to give. And that is one of the reasons that I want to stress the fact that bad things happen to really great people, and they don’t have to.

The choice is yours. You can play it safe on the water this summer and still have a boatload of fun as long as you remember that Nobody’s Waterproof. Visit the Texas parks and Wildlife website to find more information about boating safety.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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