Beaver Lake offers free vessel safety checks
Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
ROGERS - The Beaver Lake Sail and Power Squadron will be offering free vessel safety checks on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to kick off National Safe Boating Week.
As an inducement to spending 15 minutes on boating safety, free hot dogs and a coke are being offered to the captain and crew of each boat that is checked by certified United States Power Squadron inspectors - the fellows in the bright red shirts.
The U. S. Coast Guard approved VSC is being offered as a public service by the Beaver Lake Sail and Power Squadron. Boats may be already in the water or on trailers.
Before taking to the waterways boats should be properly equipped. This includes correct display of hull registration numbers, registration certificate on board, PFDs, ignition safety switch, backfire Flame Arrestor for inboards or stern drives, Ventilation system, Type B fire extinguisher, a sound producing device such as horn, whistle or bell, visual distress signals such as a flashlight and navigation lights.
The overall condition of the boat is checked for safety. A handbook of Arkansas Boating Laws and Responsibilities will also be available upon request. It details registration, education requirements for those born after January 1, 1986, hull identification numbers, weather emergencies, navigation rules and other information boaters should know.
Those boats which pass the inspection will be issued an attractive 2008 sticker to be displayed. No appointment is necessary.
There will be numerous squadron members available to assist in this short process to assure a safe and fun boating season for Beaver Lakers.
For more information, call the squadron safety officer Len Oswald at 925-1193.
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