Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!
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Across America at boat launch ramps, the familiar growl of boat motors waking up from their long winter nap heralds the start of the boating season. But what makes boating, fishing or sailing this time of year different from all others? When it comes to safety, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has three tips to answer that question: 1. The water is still cold. Darn cold. Even though the white stuff is gone and you're in a T-shirt and can feel the sun's warmth on your face, l... Full story
May 15th is ‘Wear Your Life jacket To Work Day,’ and May 16th is ‘Wear It Day’ Life Jacket World Record Day. Last month’s article was about Arizona's best kept secret, the volunteers of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. This month we are letting everyone know about one of the major fourth cornerstone activities of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary. Everyone loves going to a birthday party; well, here is one you won't forget. This is the 225th Birthday for the United States Coast Guard and... Full story
The Coast Guard and National Safe Boating Council remind recreational boaters of the importance of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons in conjunction with 406Mhz Beacon Awareness Day. An EPIRB is used to alert search and rescue forces in the event of an emergency. It does this by transmitting a coded message on the 406 megahertz distress frequency via satellite and earth stations to the nearest rescue coordination center, which then notifies local search and rescue forces. "Having a... Full story
Big and small, power or sail, there are many different kinds of boats and so many different kinds of boat owners. But, the one thing they seem to agree on is how boating makes them feel, at least if your looking at a boat’s name on the transom. “Serenity” has been named the #1 boat name for the second year in a row with the release of the 2015 list of Top Ten Boat Names from Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). It is also the name’s tenth appearance on the popular list of boat... Full story
Ever since dogs were domesticated, they have been assisting humans with hunting, herding, protection, as well as providing companionship. The relationship has evolved along with man and beast, and dogs are still beloved and valuable participants in our lives. Searching for missing persons is among the many tasks canines perform for us. Search and Rescue/Recovery is commonly referred to as SAR, and you likely have volunteer K9 SAR teams that are active in your area. There are many different SAR... Full story
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 11, 2015 –More than 250 business leaders from across all sectors of the U.S. recreational boating industry are gathering on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. today to kick off the annual American Boating Congress (ABC), a three day advocacy event. With the unofficial start to boating season just under a month away on Memorial Day weekend, ABC gives members of the U.S. recreational boating industry a timely platform to meet with legislators and other decision makers on C... Full story
Ed Huntsman is the Recreational Boating Safety Program Manager, United States Coast Guard, Eighth Coast Guard District. As spring approaches, temperatures rise, and ice melts, paddlesports enthusiasts begin to contemplate their first paddle-trip. But, before grabbing the canoe, kayak or SUP for that first trip, Eighth Coast Guard District boating-safety program manager Ed Huntsman wants to offer a few tips to ensure your safe return after an enjoyable trip. Know Basic Safety Skills How to... Full story
Established by Congress in 1939, the 30,000 members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary are Semper Paratus "Always Ready." Vessel safety checks, harbor patrols, safe-boating courses, search and rescue, marine environmental protection - these are just a few of the services provided by the Auxiliary. Each year, Auxiliarists volunteer more than two million hours benefitting boaters and their families. We invite you to learn more about who we are and what we do to be Semper Paratus.... Full story
Get ready to climb into an OHV and go for a ride at the Arizona Game and Fish Department Outdoor Expo presented by Shikar Safari Club International. A 50- by 100-yard OHV track is the newest addition to the hands-on event on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. Qualified participants can ride in a side-by-side OHV and experience some of the latest OHV performance features. Admission and parking are free. Also see OHV and ATV exhibits. Kayak,... Full story
The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water provides local non-profit groups up to $10,000 to help educate boaters on safe and clean boating topics. However, it needs your help to determine who will get the money. With its 2015 Grassroots Grants program kicking off, the national 501(c)(3) is looking to the public to help it decide which of the eight submitted projects will receive funding in the competitive program. Boaters have until midnight on March 24 to go to... Full story
It’s time to be preparing for the upcoming boating season. With the temperatures in the 70 and 80s already, the time is quickly approaching. There are several things that you can do to be the prudent skipper of your vessel before you hit the water. Getting your boat serviced so that it is in good running condition is an excellent starting point. Service your trailer, wheel bearings, brakes, lights, and check the age of your tires. We have all seen the boat and trailer sitting on the side of t... Full story
It may be sunny outside with blue skies above, but waters are deceptively cold and unforgiving in the fall. For paddlers with just a few inches of freeboard to spare, getting wet this time of year can have serious consequences, so the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has these seven tips for fall paddlecraft safety. Know How To Re-Board All paddlecraft are different, so before you hit a lonely, remote stretch of river or lake or bay, learn (in a safe place) how to get back... Full story
Like the name implies, the goal of the boater-funded BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is to educate boaters about safe and clean boating. The Foundation is looking to fund Grassroots Grant projects that utilize new, innovative approaches that encourage safe and clean boating among the boating public. Organizations with the best ideas will be awarded grants of up to $10,000 to implement their project. However, applications need to be submitted by Jan. 15, 2015, and public... Full story
Common sense, awareness classes, safety products can all ensure that you enjoy the outdoors and avoid accidents. By Guest Editor Margie Anderson Nobody likes to think about death, especially when you are planning a fun trip to the beautiful Arizona outdoors. But, the fact is, people do die outdoors. That's the bad news, but the good news is that you can go a long way toward preventing that from happening to you or those you love. Boating Boating in Arizona is awesome - we have a number of very... Full story
America's leading online boater-to-boater™ rental and charter marketplace, Cruzin, now makes it easier than ever to find local places to boat and fish. The company has enhanced its www.cruzin.com website with the Places to Boat and Fish map, created by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) for its Take Me Fishing™ campaign. Places to Boat and Fish is an interactive state-by-state map that guides users to marinas, boat ramps, bait shops, fishing license vendors, parks and oth... Full story
Whether we enjoy the water from a boat, on skis or boards, or as swimmers, there are three major organizations that deserve our appreciation and respect. They ensure that we have the information needed for safety in and around the water, and they are there in emergencies when and if we get into trouble. (There are others as well, but these three are the focus of this article.) We at Western Outdoor Times/Arizona Boating & Watersports toast them all. Arizona Game & Fish Department The Arizona... Full story
Once again, we thank Bob Brown of Media Directions for the cover photo. His series of "beauties in boats" have been our pleasure to publish. However, besides boating, there are many other ways to enjoy the waters of the Southwest. You know them: waterskiing, wakeboarding, stand-up paddling, diving, fishing, swimming, just to name a few. Even if you don't "get wet," being by the refreshing waters of a lake, stream, creek, or river helps anyone get through the intense summers of the Desert... Full story
Welcome to the 2014 North American Safe Boating Campaign! As National Safe Boating Week (May 17–23, 2014) and the season approaches, we are preparing for another campaign to spread the message of safe and responsible boating. This year, we will continue to educate the boating community about life jacket wear and the options that are available when it comes to comfortable and lightweight life jackets. We are also working closely with our partner organizations to create a larger grassroots n... Full story
The National Safe Boating Council would like to remind you to “Boat Responsibly and Wear It!” “Boat Responsibly” by being alert and careful when taking out your boat, making sure you are prepared and always remember to “Wear It”! Wear your life jacket every time you are on the water. An accident can happen very quickly and unexpectedly so you must be geared up in order to help yourself and your passengers on board. Develop The Life Jacket Habit According to the most recent U.S. Coast Guard... Full story
I'm your life jacket, but you don't know me. I'm here to help you, maybe even safe your life – but only if you're willing to take the help. Maybe National Safe Boating Week (May 17 – 23) will help remind everyone that I'm here for you? You Hide Me You think you may know me, but you really don't. Because the law says you have to keep me aboard your boat, you think you're safe. But, you put me in places so hard to find, under piles of junk or buried in lockers so deep that no one will ever kno... Full story
The boating season is upon us with the warm weather fast approaching. I know that we all want to hook up the boat, grab the family and run off to the lake to water recreation and good times. We also need to think about the safety of our friends and family. I see people every weekend with their boats broken down or their trailer parked alongside the road due to a lack of planning. I am seeing people at the lakes receiving hundreds of dollars in citations because they leave items at the house or... Full story
The Arizona Game and Fish Department joins boaters across the nation in celebrating the upcoming "National Safe Boating Week" and advises watercraft users to exercise safe practices on crowded waters during this summer's peak boating season. National Safe Boating Week, May 17-23 this year, is a reminder to all who will be enjoying our state's beautiful lakes and waterways to take the necessary preparations to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing. Leading into the week is today's (May 16) "Wear... Full story
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) encourages recreational boaters this year to wear life jackets and save water. Recreational boating activity and boating accidents increase during the boating season, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It is critical for boaters to plan ahead, exercise precaution and encourage everyone in a boat to wear a life jacket in order to minimize the risk of being involved in a boating accident or reduce t... Full story
What: Life Jacket Trade-In Program provides recreational boaters the opportunity for life jackets to be inspected by professionals. If a life jacket is found to be outgrown or unserviceable, a new, properly fitted Coast Guard-approved life jacket will be given in exchange (one life jacket per family, while supplies last). Who: California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways When: Saturday, May 17 from Noon to 2 p.m. Where: 46 statewide locations DBW encourages recreational boaters to... Full story
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Water enthusiasts should take serious precautions against cold temperatures and swift currents when in or near water this spring. Despite this year’s below-normal snowfall, the spring snowmelt can still result in swift and cold river flows that can create treacherous conditions for all recreationists – waders, swimmers, paddlers, boaters, anglers, and even hikers cooling off at the water’s edge. Lower water levels can also expose hazards or make them closer to the surface... Full story
