A Closer Look at Boating Safety

KIMT News 3's Nick Kruszalnicki has some words of warning during the bustling summer months

Full forecast is next.

It only takes a moment for fun out on the lake to turn deadly.

That's what happened yesterday out on clear lake.

A 14?

"*year?

"*old died in a jet crash.

In the wake of the accident ?

"* kimt news three's nick kruszalnicki is taking a closer look at how people can stay safe on the water during the bustling summer months.

He joins us now live ?

"* nick?

Xxx george ?

"* it can be easy to think piloting a boat or a jet ski is as easy as driving a car, but there's a lot of different dynamics at play in the water, which is why safe boating practices are essential.

Xxx "there's always an accident here and there and it's always a terrible tragedy."

And the chance for a tragedy increases when the lakes fill up with boats over the summer.

"we've seen a crazy amount of traffic on the water this year."

Jim flick, who owns movement solutions says they've had a busy summer renting out boats on clear lake.

"you'll find some days there's twice as many people as there normally is i think."

Flick tells me he gives his customers safety briefings both in the office and at the dock.

He says boaters need to keep it slow and keep an eye out for traffic on the lake.

"when you're approaching a boat head on, everybody is supposed to veer to the right.

That's one thing on the river you'll find is super easy.

On the large, large bodies of water.

But when you get a small body of water like this and there's so many boats in so many different directions, i see that one going away a lot."

Another overlooked safety rule is a boat's capacity.

Flick says never overload your watercraft.

"when you see some of these people really overloading some of these boats.

They don't realize they could possibly nosedive that boat totally under water.

They could in an instant have twelve people swimming around trying to find a life jacket."

And while having enough life jackets is a good idea, flick recommends making sure you have the right sizes for everyone on board.

"why take the flick also recommends reading up on boating laws in your state before you head out on the water.

Live in clear lake, nick kruszalnicki, kimt news 3./// thank you nick.

According to the u?

"*s coast guard ?

"* the were over four thousand boating accidents in the united states last year ?

"* causing over 600 deaths.

Nearly 80 percent