Autumn boating tips

Boating season is not over at Lake of the Ozarks

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Autumn’s arrival doesn’t mean the boating and fishing season has to come to an end. Quite the contrary! Fall is a great time to go boating.
Most anglers will tell you that some of the year’s best fishing occurs in the fall, and boaters agree that leaf-peeping while slowly cruising through calm, mirror-like waters takes on an almost ethereal quality.
However, the arrival of fall’s shorter days and colder temperatures does require boaters to take some extra precautions in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing for all. With this in mind, safety should always be a top priority when boating.

Here are some safety precautions to take when boating this fall:
1. Update your charts. Local aids to navigation like channel markers and buoys placed by local authorities may be pulled as early as October in some areas. With autumn’s shorter days, you may wind up cruising home after dark, making even familiar landmarks hard to spot. Make sure your charts - electronic and paper - are up to date so you can use them to navigate instead of visual aids.
2. Check navigational lights and emergency lights. Ensure that your boat’s navigation lights are in working order and your emergency lights are in working order. Carry a couple of waterproof flashlights on board to help you unload passengers and gear after dark. Be sure to stock spare batteries!
3. Make sure your phone is charged. During the fall, the waterways are less crowded. While this is peaceful, it also means that if you run into a problem, you might not see another boater for awhile.

4. Make a float plan. This is a plan that lets others know when you are going out, where you are going, who is going with you, and when you plan to return. A float plan will enable others to have the knowledge of where to start looking for you in case of an emergency.
5. Gas up before you go. With fewer boats on the water some fuel docks may close early during the fall season. Don’t assume you can fill up at your destination for the return trip home.
6. Wear a life jacket. In the autumn as water temperatures start to fall, boaters who accidentally fall overboard run an increased risk of hypothermia. While children in Missouri under the age of 7 must wear a life jacket when the boat is underway by law, it’s a good idea for adults to wear them too — especially at night.
7. Keep an eye on the weather. Autumn storms can approach swiftly and often seem more menacing than summer rain showers.
Remember, safety should always be a top priority when boating. Enjoy your time on the water!

Doug Beck is a Certified National Safe Boating Council Instructor, the co-chair of Lake of the Ozarks Water Safety Council, and president Captains Association of Missouri