Holiday weekends are perfect opportunities to gather family and friends, pack food, and hitch up the boat to head out to one of Arizona’s waterways. The Labor Day holiday is nearly upon us and that means that boating safety should remain on the minds of recreational boaters before launching their watercraft.

Arizona’s waterways can expect high use during holiday weekends, and boating safety officials from the Arizona Game and Fish Department want to remind boaters to take precautions to ensure a safe but enjoyable experience this Labor Day.

Before hitting the water, boaters can refer to or download the Arizona Boater’s Guide from the Department’s Web site, or simply follow some basic safety tips:

• Make sure enough life jackets are on board the boat for everyone, that they are the right size, U.S. Coast Guard-approved, and in good working order free from deterioration.

• Designate a sober captain. Keep in mind that the ‘Boating Under the Influence’ blood alcohol content is .08, which is the same limit as driving a car under the influence of alcohol. Penalties include steep fines and jail time.

• Avoid overloading your boat by knowing the passenger and weight limits for your specific vessel.

• Know the “rules of the road.” The correct direction of travel on Arizona lakes is counterclockwise (shoreline off your right shoulder).

• Don’t crowd other boaters, and remember to maintain a safe distance when passing others. Keep in mind that boats do not have brakes.

• Check that your boat’s motor and propulsion system are working right.

• Make sure your fire extinguishers work.

• Arizona’s boating regulations can be viewed or downloaded at www.azgfd.gov/boating.

Whether you just bought a boat or have been boating for years, a boating safety class can prepare you for unpredictable or unexpected circumstances when you are on the water. It could save someone’s life, including yours. Take a boating safety class near you or online at www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed.

For a reduced fee of $2.50, residents and non-residents can renew their registration online at www.azgfd.gov/watercraft.

Registration renewals are still accepted in person at any Arizona Game and Fish Department office or by mail.

The upcoming Memorial Day holiday means more boats are likely to be out on Arizona’s waterways. Here are some precautions you should take before heading out on the water to help ensure a safe, enjoyable experience:

• Make sure enough life jackets are on board the boat for everyone, and make sure they’re all the right size, U.S. Coast Guard-approved, and in good working order, free from holes. Wear your life jacket.
• Know the “rules of the road.” The correct direction of travel on Arizona lakes is counterclockwise (shoreline off your right shoulder).
• Check that your boat’s motor and propulsion system are working right.
• Never operate a boat while intoxicated. Alcohol limits for boat operators are identical to those for motor vehicle drivers and you could be arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol if you exceed those limits.
• Don’t crowd other boaters, and remember to maintain a safe distance when passing others.
• Know the passenger and weight limits for your boat, so you can avoid overloading it.
• Make sure your fire extinguishers work.
• Put drain plugs back in your boat after winter storage.

Visit www.azgfd.gov/boating to view other boating regulations, too.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department recommends taking a boating education class. Statistics show knowledgeable boaters are safe boaters. Those interested in taking a Game and Fish boating safety class can call (623) 236-7235 or visit www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed for more information.

The Nevada Division of Wildlife, National Park Service, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department conducted the effort, which resulted in seven operators being cited for OUI (exceeding the .08 legal limit for blood-alcohol content), and one for aggravated OUI.

A total of 244 watercraft passed through the four-hour checkpoint at Katherine’s Landing and 67 citations were issued. ***image1:right***

Twenty-seven percent of the boaters checked were not in compliance with equipment requirements and 31 percent had consumed alcohol.

“I’m disappointed with the number of boaters contacted who consumed alcohol,” said Tim Baumgarten, law enforcement program manager with the Game and Fish Department’s Region III office in Kingman.

Baumgarten noted that alcohol impairment was the fourth most common violation at the checkpoint. Not having a type IV throwable was the most common violation (28), followed by no fire extinguisher (13), and life jackets (9). Two citations were issued for consumption by a minor.

“I believe the operation was a success in that we removed impaired boaters from the waterway,” Baumgarten stated, “but people need to understand that recreation becomes potentially life threatening at these numbers.

Overall, 73 percent of the boaters were in compliance with boating regulations in regards to operating a watercraft without being impaired by alcohol and proper equipment, a 3 percent decrease from 2008.

The Game and Fish Department encourages boaters to take part in a boating education class. Available classes can be found on the department web site, www.azgfd.gov/boating.

“Go Boating Safely!” is the new theme for Colorado River’s Annual Tri-State Boating Safety Fair.  The event will take place Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lake Havasu City’s London Bridge Beach Park, along the Bridgewater Channel at 1340 McCulloch Blvd.

This sixth annual fun-filled family affair will kick-off National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22) by a group of state, local and federal boating agencies that want to encourage boaters to hit the water this summer, but safely and responsibly.

Organizers will be talking about challenges that boaters face while boating on the Colorado River and about general boating safety.  Families will be given the opportunity to bring in one outgrown or unsafe life jacket to trade in for a brand new one from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (while supplies last). The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will also be conducting free vessel safety checks.

Families at the event and along the river will also receive a “boating safety bag” filled with promotional items and information about boating laws in strategic areas of the Colorado River.

Many beautiful lakes in Arizona, California and Nevada offer many boating opportunities, but none of them are more popular than the 233-mile long, and beautiful Colorado River.  “The river has several massive lakes and runs through three states, so we will be there to clarify both the fun boating opportunities and safety challenges we see with a waterway this large and complex.  We will also be manning 27 different boat launch ramps to make sure we reach the most boaters,” said Raynor T. Tsuneyoshi, California’s Boating Law Administrator.

“This year, the lakes are full to the brim and we want people to go out on the water and enjoy the experience,  but we also want them to be safe and make good decisions,” said Kevin Bergersen, Arizona’s boating law administrator. “Most of us know that life jackets and designating a sober captain saves lives, but expecting the unexpected and using good judgment are key factors in returning home safely. We want this event to provoke that kind of awareness and thinking.”

Boating officials will also be informing boaters about “clean, drain and dry,” an effective procedure for combating and preventing the rapidly spreading nuisance of quagga mussels. This nasty invasive species continues to pose a serious threat to fun, safe and environmentally friendly boating.

“Quagga mussels are a growing concern as they take over more of the Colorado River system,” said Fred Messmann, Nevada’s boating law administrator. He said experts will be on hand to demonstrate cleaning techniques, explain the issue and provide clarification to boaters with questions.

The Tri-State Boating Safety Fair is free, and the public is encouraged to stay the entire day to picnic, swim, fish and partake in the action. For more information about the boating safety fair, call Arizona Game and Fish Department at (623) 236-7377, California Department of Boating and Waterways at (916) 263-0788, Nevada Department of Wildlife at (775) 688-1548, or visit www.BoatColoradoRiver.com. Information on common boating laws and each state’s requirements on the Colorado River can also be viewed on this Web site.

“Go Boating Safely!” is the new theme for Colorado River’s Tri-State Boating Safety Fair. The event will take place May 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lake Havasu City’s London Bridge Beach Park, along the Bridgewater Channel at 1340 McCulloch Blvd.

This sixth annual fun-filled family affair will kick-off National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22) by a group of state, local and federal boating agencies that want to encourage boaters to hit the water this summer, but safely and responsibly.

Organizers will be talking about challenges that boaters face while boating on the Colorado River and about general boating safety. Families will be given the opportunity to bring in one outgrown or unsafe life jacket to trade in for a brand new one (while supplies last), and boating safety bags filled with promotional items and information about boating laws in strategic areas of the Colorado River will be distributed. Also, boaters will get a free vessel safety check from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary before launching.

The Tri-State Boating Safety Fair is free and the public is encouraged to stay the entire day to picnic, swim, fish and partake in the action. For more information about the boating safety fair, call Arizona Game and Fish Department at (623) 236-7377.

The spring boating season is underway and the Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking boaters and anglers to take simple steps to avoid moving destructive quagga mussels and other invasive species from one lake to another.

“Prolific quagga mussels have invaded lakes Pleasant, Havasu, Mead and Mohave. These tiny invaders can easily hitchhike on your boat – 10,000 or more microscopic larvae to fit into a teaspoon of water. So please DON’T Move A Mussel,” said Tom McMahon, invasive species coordinator for the Game and Fish Department.

In fact, these tiny invaders are so prolific that a single adult quagga mussel can produce up to a half-million microscopic larvae in a single year and can eventually carpet vast areas of a lake. So please Drain, Clean and Dry your boat each and every time you visit a lake – any lake.

• Drain the water from the boat, livewell and the lower unit

• Clean the hull and remove all plant and animal material

• Dry the boat and inspect all exposed surfaces

“After you visit a lake or other body of water, wait five days before launching your watercraft someplace else,” McMahon said. “This five-day waiting period will aid tremendously in killing those hidden hitchhikers on your boat, such as the microscopic quagga larvae.”

Even when visiting lakes that are not infected with quagga mussels, these simple steps must to be taken to avoid undesired environmental consequences.

“Quagga mussels can cause extensive problems, but they are not the only aquatic invader out there,” McMahon said. “Be conscientious and do your part – drain, clean and dry your watercraft each and every time you visit a lake. It should be as routine as putting on your safety belt when driving a car or brushing your teeth before bed.”

McMahon also pointed out that quagga mussels can infest boat engines and cause extensive damage, as well as impacting water delivery systems and hydroelectric operations. Invasive mussels have caused billions of dollars in Midwestern waters.

Boaters who take the precautionary steps are the first line of defense against these and other aquatic invaders. Those who don’t drain, clean and dry pose a significant environmental threat. Don’t be a threat.

Some lakes in California have been closed to boating to prevent quagga invasions and others could be closed. Some waters, such as Lake Powell in Arizona and Utah, require mandatory inspections before you can launch your boat.

“Quagga mussels do pose a serious threat,” McMahon said. “You don’t want to be the one responsible for infesting beautiful treasures like Lake Powell or Big Lake. The remedial steps are easy. The consequences of not taking them can be dire.”

Learn more about aquatic invasive species at www.azgfd.gov/mussels.

The photo to the right is an aerial shot of the London Bridge Channel at Lake Havasu City during a busy weekend. An accident may be waiting to happen. Can you afford higher insurance premiums? Passing the Arizona boating safety course may make you eligible for a discount on your boat or PWC insurance.

You may be surprised that taking an inexpensive boating safety class may benefit your pocket book during these tough economic times.

Take the online class at your pace, pass the exam, and send a copy of your boater safety certificate to your agent.

Pass the online boating safety class and you may be able to start saving! Visit www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed.

Arizona’s waterways are already bulging at the seams and are bellowing for attention. Hit the water, it is boating time! Whether you are fishing, water skiing, on a jet ski, or just cruising along, being on a boat in Arizona is one of the state’s favorite recreational past times.

Soaking in the sun and beautiful scenery in most of Arizona’s waterways is soothing and has stress-free benefits. But don’t be fooled into thinking a good day can’t lead to a tragic memory. The experience is only rewarding if it is safe. Taking the initiative to learn more about being prepared, “expecting the unexpected,” and properly handling situations that are out of your control may alleviate devastating consequences in the long run.

Taking an online boating safety course is simple, self-paced, animated for your enjoyment, and inexpensive! Just visit www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed.

Arizona winters are mild, and recreational boating and fishing are popular year-round, but an unexpected immersion into cold water can cause hypothermia and even lead to a life-threatening situation.

Entering extremely cold water causes an immediate gasp reflex that can fill the lungs with water.

“With the paralyzing effects of cold water, wearing a life jacket is the only precaution that will bring a person to the water’s surface and help keep the head above water preventing immediate drowning,” says Kevin Bergersen, boating law administrator for the state of Arizona.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department wants to provide everyone with safety tips about cold water immersion and hypothermia:

1. When entering the water, it is important to wear a life jacket, move slowly and stay calm.
2. Wearing a life jacket at other times will also help keep your head above water. This is especially important after falling overboard, when a life jacket can help bring your body to the surface.
3. If your boat capsizes, stay with it. More than likely, it will not sink. It can be used as a platform to maneuver, so stay on top of it as much as possible, getting yourself out of the water and maintaining stability.
4. Don’t try to take off clothing in the water. A common misconception is that heavy clothing or waders weigh down your body, when in fact, they can trap air and help keep the body afloat.

“Don’t try and remove clothing. It will only make you tired, and you’ll lose more body heat,” Bergersen says. “Bring your knees to your chest and fold your arms or float on your back and slowly paddle to safety, if necessary.”

Of course, alcohol consumption can result in irrational behavior, only complicating matters for your survival. Bergersen says it is important not to drink alcohol near cold water or while operating motorized vehicles, including boats. For more boating safety facts or to take a boating education class, go online to: www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed.

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has honored Madelynn Fenske, watercraft customer service supervisor for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, with its esteemed President’s Award for her contributions to the association and to boating safety over the past year. She received the award at the association’s 49th annual meeting in Clearwater Beach, Fla., Sept. 6-10.

NASBLA President John Fetterman recognized Fenske for the extensive time and effort she devoted to the association’s Vessel Identification, Registration and Titling Committee. She worked on the revision of the Standard Numbering System Regulations and also led the committee through several revisions of the Model Act for Vessel Titling. She was instrumental in the development of the National Vessel Numbering and Titling Manual as well as the development and execution of the Vessel Numbering and Titling Program Measures of Effectiveness project. She continues to monitor the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws Uniform Certificate of Title Act for Vessels.

Fenske joined the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1987 as the revenue control technician in the watercraft section. In 1993, she became the customer service supervisor. She is responsible for the statewide watercraft registration program, which has considerable scope, complexity, and monetary and public impact. Fenske provides technical guidance and direction to department personnel throughout the state and to the public in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of the program.

NASBLA is a national nonprofit organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. It represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories and offers a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards and publications. For more information, visit www.nasbla.org.

Don’t become a bad statistic this Labor Day weekend – boat safe, boat smart and boat sober.

Here are some weekend survival tips from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

* Make sure enough life jackets are on board the boat for everyone, and make sure they’re all the right size, U.S. Coast Guard-approved, and in good working order, free from holes.
* Know the “rules of the road.” The correct direction of travel on Arizona lakes is counterclockwise (shoreline off your right shoulder).
* Check that your boat’s motor and propulsion system are working right.
* Keep in mind that alcohol limits for boat operators are identical to those for motor vehicle drivers and you could be arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol if you exceed those limits.
* Don’t crowd other boaters, and remember to maintain a safe distance when passing others.
* Know the passenger and weight limits for your boat, so you can avoid overloading it.
* Make sure your fire extinguishers work.
* Look for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
* Put drain plugs back in your boat after winter storage.
* Visit www.azgfd.gov/boating to view other boating regulations, too.

Also, before you leave the lake to go home, make sure there are not unwanted hitchhikers – you don’t want to move a mussel, golden algae or other invasive species. Please drain the water from the boat, livewell and lower unit, clean the hull and remove all plant and animal material, and dry the boat and inspect all exposed surfaces.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department recommends taking a boating safety class. Statistics show knowledgeable boaters are safe boaters.  Classes can be taken online at www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed or by calling (623) 236-7235 for a class near you.

The scorching hot weather and high gas prices won’t keep boaters away from the water this July 4 weekend. Arizona’s lakes and rivers will be congested, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department would like watercraft owners to take boating safety precautions while on the water.

An educated boater is a safe boater. A boating education class will inform you about many important topics, but unless you take a class online in the next day or so, the possibilities of knowing what you need to before launching your boat this weekend are slim. Forgotten areas of boating safety can easily become the cause of a tragedy. At the very least, please follow these important tips when heading out on the water:

1. Wear your life jacket (Personal Flotation Device or PFD). The thought of wearing a life jacket is often discouraging during Arizona’s hottest months. The old styles consist of bulky, uncomfortable material worn around the neck. But technology has brought water enthusiasts new and better options now. Retailers provide sporty, trendy inflatable and fanny-pack-style life jackets that are cooler, more manageable and automatically or manually inflate.

“Now that there are new and improved inflatable life jackets, adults should wear one for unexpected incidents on the water,” said Kevin Bergersen, Arizona Boating Law Administrator. “But, you have to be 16 years old to wear an inflatable life jacket, and all children 12 years old and younger must wear a Type I, II or III U.S. Coast Guard- approved life jacket in the state of Arizona that is properly sized, fitted and worn to the manufacturer’s design specifications.” In addition, each person being towed behind a vessel on water skis and each person on a personal watercraft (PWC) are required to wear a life jacket.

2. Boat sober. You don’t have to drink alcohol or consume drugs to have a good time on the water. But if you do, you need to know that impairment to the slightest degree is illegal. In other words, operating a boat while intoxicated is as illegal as driving a car drunk. And drugs and alcohol don’t just impact the boat operator; passengers who have been drinking alcohol, for example, are 10 times more likely to fall overboard. And if they aren’t wearing a life jacket, they possibly face drowning. The legal limit for blood alcohol is .08, and violations are a class one misdemeanor in both cases. And impairment can escalate in hot weather.

“Alcohol contributes to approximately one-third of all fatal boating accidents nationwide,” said Bergersen. “It is important to designate a sober operator.”

3. Be aware of the danger of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning is known as the silent killer. It is an odorless, tasteless and toxic gas that disperses freely through the air and travels readily throughout a boat. Teak surfing, platform dragging, and water-skiing within 20 feet of a moving watercraft can be fatal. Tying or staging boats side by side with the motor running, a common practice at ‘party’ coves across the state, can produce deadly amounts of carbon monoxide poison.

“Boaters should stay away from exhaust ports because carbon monoxide builds up in areas near exhaust vents,” Bergersen added. He also advised that swimming in areas where carbon monoxide may accumulate, such as the cavity between the swim platform and the stern of the boat, can be fatal.

4. Safe boats save lives. Get a free Vessel Safety Check. “Boats that are properly equipped, in good operating condition, and safe from hazards are less likely to be involved in accidents and fatalities,” says Boating Education Program Manager Ed Huntsman. While the law doesn’t require certain items or supplies such as an anchor, visual distress signals or other safety equipment on inland lakes, federal requirements on the Colorado River are more stringent and demanding. The Arizona Game and Fish Department or local law enforcement officers would be happy to check your boat for you. Or, contact representatives of the Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron to request a free Vessel Safety Check by visiting www.safetyseal.net and clicking on “I WANT A VSC.” Huntsman was quick to add, “Learn what you need to have to make sure your boat is always seaworthy and ready to go.”

The Arizona Game and Fish Department wants you to boat safe, boat smart, and boat sober this holiday weekend. To take a boating education class online, please visit www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed or call (623) 236-7525 to attend one of the classes offered statewide.

The last “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” (BOW) workshop for 2008 will be held Aug. 15-17 at the cool, forested Friendly Pines Camp near Prescott.

The program introduces women to outdoors skills in an enjoyable, non-threatening environment with expert instructors. Classes are held during the day and include horsemanship, outdoor photography, birding, hiking, archery, fly-fishing, shotgun/rifle/pistol shooting, and Dutch oven cooking, among others. Evenings are filled with fun and entertainment, including night hikes, musicians, and motivational speakers.

“One great thing about this camp is that a woman can try a new sport without buying all of the equipment.” says Linda Dightmon, the BOW coordinator for the Arizona Wildlife Federation, which sponsors the program in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “The only thing you need to bring is your personal stuff, a good attitude and a willingness to learn.”

Participants stay in rustic cabins, but there are showers and bathrooms in each cabin, and a central dining hall for meals.

Equipment, materials, food and lodging are all included in the $235 registration fee. The only exception is the outdoor photography class, where participants will need to bring a camera. Enrollment is open to all women 18 and older.

For more information, a schedule of classes, and a registration form, visit www.azwildlife.org or contact the Arizona Wildlife Federation office at (480) 644-0077 or awf@azwildlife.org.

The Memorial Day holiday is nearly upon us, and that means more boats are likely to be out on Arizona’s waterways this weekend. The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds boaters to take precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing.

Among the things you should do before heading out on a lake or river:

• Make sure enough life jackets are on board the boat for everyone, and make sure they’re all the right size, U.S. Coast Guard-approved, and in good working order, free from holes.
• Know the “rules of the road.” The correct direction of travel on Arizona lakes is counterclockwise (shoreline off your right shoulder).
• Check that your boat’s motor and propulsion system are working right.
• Keep in mind that alcohol limits for boat operators are identical to those for motor vehicle drivers and you could be arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol if you exceed those limits.
• Don’t crowd other boaters, and remember to maintain a safe distance when passing others.
• Know the passenger and weight limits for your boat, so you can avoid overloading it.
• Make sure your fire extinguishers work.
• Put drain plugs back in your boat after winter storage.
• Visit www.azgfd.gov/boating to view other boating regulations, too.

“This week, May 17-23, is National Safe Boating Week, but boating safety is really important every day,” says Arizona’s Boating Law Administrator Kevin Bergersen. “You should always wear your life jacket, be aware of the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, and never operate a boat while intoxicated.” A boating safety education class covers these topics and much more.

Bergersen adds, “Operating a boat is a huge responsibility, and boaters should take boating safety seriously.” Last year alone, there were 220 accidents, 118 injuries and eight fatalities on Arizona’s waterways.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department recommends taking a boating education class. Statistics show knowledgeable boaters are safe boaters. Those interested in taking a Game and Fish boating safety class can call (623) 236-7235 or visit www.azgfd.gov/boat-ed for more information.

“When heading out to the water, do yourself, your friends, and your family a favor,” says Bergersen. “Boat safe, boat smart, and boat sober.”

Is your watercraft safe and ready for the water? If you hesitated while answering this question, then you won’t want to miss the 2008 Arizona Safe Boating Celebration at Lake Pleasant Regional Park on May 17 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Boating experts from the Arizona Game and Fish Department will be present and free vessel safety checks will be offered by the U.S. Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at the ten- and four-lane boat ramps.

The average check takes approximately 15 minutes and can be performed while you’re preparing to launch your boat. During the check, examiners will review federal and state boating laws and recommend equipment that will help to ensure that your boat is operating safely. Experts will also be on hand to provide information on how to select the right lifejacket, the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, and those pesky aquatic hitchhikers – quagga mussels.

Don’t have a boat? No problem. Visit the vintage life jacket display to see how life jackets have evolved over the years, or take a wakeboard or kayak out for a test drive at the ten-lane boat ramp. Prizes will be raffled off throughout the morning. The event is included in the $5 per vehicle park entry fee.

For more information on the event, visit www.azsafeboating.org. Lake Pleasant Regional Park is located at 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road in Morristown. From I-17, take SR-74 (Carefree Highway) west; turn right at Mile Post 19; three miles to the park entrance. For additional information on the park, visit www.maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant.

A consortium of state, local and federal boating agencies is hosting the fifth annual Tri-State Boating Safety Fair at Lake Havasu State Park to educate boaters about boating safety May 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The theme of this year’s safety fair will encourage boaters to take a boating education class, focus on the effects of operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol, and convey the importance of wearing life jackets.

A team of safety professionals from Arizona, California and Nevada will come together to conduct boating safety demonstrations on the river and encourage everyone to wear life jackets.

“We want to reach as many people from both sides of the river as possible before this year’s boating season, reminding them of how important it is to exercise safe and responsible behavior when on the water” said Kevin Bergersen, Arizona’s boating law administrator.

Visitors at the event and along the river will receive a “boating safety bag” full of small gifts and educational materials about boating laws in the three states through which the Colorado River runs.

“Boating officials and law enforcement officers from each state will hand out boating safety bags and answer questions at 27 different boat launch ramps along the Colorado River,” said Bergersen.

Raynor Tsuneyoshi, California’s boating law administrator agrees, saying, “Outreach is the key to getting these important safety messages conveyed to the public, since mandatory education is not a prerequisite for owning a boat.”

Navigation rules, boating laws, the consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning and operating under the influence of alcohol are just some of the topics that a boat owner should know.

“Encouraging boaters to take a boating education class and our interaction with them is a positive method for conveying information that could save someone’s life,” said Tsuneyoshi.

The Tri-State Boating Safety Fair will include public safety information booths, a demonstration of a water rescue, free vessel safety checks, and a drawing conducted by California’s boating safety campaign for a chance to win a personal watercraft and a seven-day house boating trip. Safety Fair participants can register to be in the drawing by taking the Tri-State Boating Safety Quiz at the event. Winners will be notified at the end of the summer boating season.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and state boating safety agencies will be conducting free vessel safety checks to ensure that a boater has all legal requirements and safety gear aboard the boat.

In addition, corporate sponsors, such as Kawasaki, will be giving families a chance to bring in one outgrown or unsafe life jacket to trade in for a brand new one from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., while supplies last. Newer self-inflatable flotation devices are more comfortable, affordable and durable than ever. New styles will be on display.

Several different states, and local and boating safety organizations, will host events and demonstrations throughout the day. The California boating safety team will demonstrate “hooked goggles” that simulate the debilitating effects of alcohol, and water rescue demonstrations will be performed with the cooperation of various law enforcement agencies, utilizing devices that detect and measure carbon monoxide poisoning.

Boating officials will also take time to educate boaters on the recent discovery of quagga mussels at lakes Mead, Mohave and Havasu, reminding them to clean their boats and trailers thoroughly to prevent the spread of the destructive species on the Colorado River system.

“Quagga mussels are a nasty invasive species that should be taken seriously because they do tremendous damage to boats, infrastructure and ecosystems,” said Fred Messmann, Nevada’s boating law administrator. He said experts will be on hand to demonstrate cleaning techniques, explain the issue and provide clarification to boaters with questions.

Day-use entry fee at the park will be waived, however, the boat launching fee of $9 will still be charged. The public is encouraged to stay the entire day to picnic, swim, fish and watch the events. For more information about the boating safety fair, call Lake Havasu State Park at (928) 855-9394 or go to www.BoatColoradoRiver.com.