As nagging spring winds whipped the state from all four corners, a rescheduling of this week’s planned trip to the cradle of Colorado galesSouth Park’s Spinney Mountain Reservoir — came as no surprise.
The sobering, ultimate reason, however, was cause for pause.
The tragic deaths of Colorado Springs residents Mitch and Sue Christiansen in a boating accident on nearby Elevenmile Reservoir last weekend came as a shock to many. The Christiansens were believed to have been participating in a fishing competition May 21 when 40-mph winds created whitecaps large enough to capsize their boat.
The body of Sue Christian- sen, 62, was recovered soon after she drowned, but days of foul weather and high winds prevented searchers from finding Mitch, 64, until early Friday morning. Neither of the victims was wearing a life jacket when dive teams found them pinned to rocks near their capsized boat.
Fishing in high winds is rarely fun, but such a heartbreaking disaster introduces another level of misery altogether. It should also open some eyes as to the very real need to take boating safety seriously.
A recent column addressed safety considerations for rafters on Colorado’s rapidly rising rivers, and as the National Safe Boating Council’s Safe Boating Week comes to a close this weekend, it’s worth mentioning a few potentially life-saving tips (not necessarily related to the Christiansen accident) for lake-bound power-boaters as well.
First and foremost, wear a life jacket. Of the 736 boating- related fatalities in the U.S. in 2009, about 85 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. These days, life jackets are more comfortable and streamlined than ever, including several inflatable models that meet U.S. Coast Guard approval. Simply stowing a life jacket onboard isn’t the same thing.
Folks who take the time to take boating lessons will learn that firsthand. The American Boating Association says only 10 percent of those 2009 boating-related fatalities occurred in a boat with an operator who had formal safety training. Even those who are primarily passengers can benefit from training.
Check the forecast before heading out to the water, and keep in mind that wind over water is usually stronger than over nearby land. Wind causes waves in Colorado.
Have an escape plan for storm conditions, especially electrical storms. If the forecast calls for thunderstorms, leave the boat on the ramp. They’re usually brief, so waiting it out is usually better than riding it out. A marine radio is a useful communication tool when you need to check the weather or seek emergency help.
And it goes without saying that captains should stay off the sauce. Boating under the influence is illegal, just like driving, and it’s a contributor in about a third of all recreational boating deaths.
Scott Willoughby: 303-954-1993 or swilloughby@denverpost.com
