HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. - The beginning of the recreation is repopulating the waterways with boats and fishermen seeking a good time. Unfortunately, a few will find disaster instead because they won’t wear their life jackets.
Boating accidents never happen by design. The victims don’t even intend to be in the water. But submerged obstacles, wind, waves or even sharp turns can suddenly throw a person overboard or capsize a boat.
“If it happens to you, and you’re not wearing a life jacket, it’s not likely you can get to one, Park Ranger Seth Fisher of the Army Corps of Engineers Greers Ferry Project Office said recently. “You may be stunned or injured and unable to swim. You will drown because you didn’t wear a life jacket.”
By law, every boat must carry a life jacket for each occupant and a life jacket must be worn by children under the age of 13. But Corps officials urge boaters to wear them at all times.
“Remember, life jacket worn, nobody mourns” Fisher added.
Release no. 18-081