The following informatioThe air temperatures in our area are starting to drop and that means the water temperatures are also dropping.
Current water temperatures in the St. Marks River area are about 59 degrees. According to the American Boating Association, in water between 60-70 degrees, exhaustion or unconsciousness can set in within 2-7 hours.
It is important to remember to dress for the water temperature, not just the air temperature. Wearing a life jacket increasing your chances of survival if you do find yourself overboard. The shock of falling into cold water can induce paralysis in arms and legs, swim failure can occur during prolonged exposure. A life jacket can keep you afloat when your body cannot. It can also help you conserve energy can add a layer of insulation. A bright colored life jacket makes you much easier to spot by those looking for you.
If you do fall overboard, wet clothing will draw out your body heat much faster. It is good practice to have a set of dry clothing should you need to change.
As TK Wilkinson, from the US Coast Guard Heartland Safe Boating points out, every paddler should carry a dry set of clothing in a watertight bag. Capsizing is always a possibility.
US Coast Guard boat crews wear hypothermia protective equipment at a water temp of 60ºF or less. If they are being proactive, we need to take this risk seriously ourselves! You can check the current water temperature with a quick internet search before you head out for a day on the water.
As Sherrie says, safe boating is no accident!
If you would like to learn more about vessel safety checks, please contact Steve Hults, Staff Officer for Vessel Examinations at steve.hults@uscgaux.net.
Please contact us for more information about our safe boating classes or learning more about getting involved in the Auxiliary, check out our website at www.uscgaux.net follow us on FaceBook @ Apalachee Bay Flotilla 12 or contact our Flotilla Commander Phil Hill at pnkkhill2000@yahoo.com.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org.
