SIOUX CITY, IA -
Some say Memorial Day weekend is the first sign of summer, and what better way to spend it than on the water? But before you head out this weekend, you may want to consider some of these safety tips.
"The best way to gain experience is to go with someone who's been here a while," said Bill Tilton with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Tilton has been in Sioux City his entire life. He's been patrolling the Missouri River since 1970, with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The short of it, he knows the river well.
"The river is totally different now, and they'll have to be more aware of where they are, what their surroundings are, what the water is like, places that were shallow are now deep, places that are deep are now shallow," he said.
Iowa law says all boats need to have an anchor, navigation lights, and registration papers.
Tilton says one of the most important things is to have enough life jackets for each person on board. You also need to make sure that it fits correctly.
He says that was the first mistake boaters made last weekend on the Mississippi.
"No body was wearing a life jacket. Night time, no life jacket, and quite possibly alcohol, bad combination," he said.
Four people died, and eight more were injured, after two flat–bottom boats collided shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday the 19th. Tilton says when people are knocked off a boat suddenly, the surprise can be deadly.
"Most people drown because they find themselves in a swimming situation when they didn't expect it, and in those first few seconds they panic. Even people who are strong swimmers," he said.
His advice? You need to wear the life jacket the entire time.
He says if you are out on the water this weekend you're probably O. K. if you see rain, but the minute you see lightning, he says you need to head back in, as lightning looks for the highest point, and if you and your boat are out on the water alone, you're most likely a target.
