Boating Made Easy
May 16, 2009There’s plenty boaters can do to protect themselves and others this season
COLUMBIA, SC – May 19, 2009 – With Memorial Day Weekend and National Safe Boating Week (May 16-22) approaching, it’s time to start thinking about getting your boats and personal water craft out of dry docks. As temperatures rise, more people begin flocking to the water to get a head start on summer fun. But as boats and watercraft of all shapes, sizes and speeds take to waterways around the country, the increased boating traffic can be especially hazardous for those not keeping safety in mind.
“With the start of this year’s boating season, there are plenty of simple things boaters can do to protect themselves, their passengers and their property,” said Allstate agent Eva Turner. “From following basic safety measures to re-evaluating their insurance coverage, boaters can enjoy a memorable and fun season while making it safe for everyone.”
Boating safety starts with one of the easiest measures – simply wearing a life jacket, a practice Allstate has endorsed for years. In fact, earlier this year, the company was selected as a National Water Safety Congress Regional Award winner for Allstate Safety Weekends and life jacket giveaways at boating events.
Although the law requires boaters to carry Coast Guard approved life jackets on board their vessels, 90 percent of all boaters who drowned in 2006 were not wearing life jackets.
Allstate recommends all captains take the Allstate Safe Boaters Pledge this year. In addition to making the wearing of life jackets a rule, the pledge – approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Safe Boating Council – recommends the following steps:
· Take a boating education course
· Don’t mix drinking and boating
· Know the weather and water conditions
· File a boat plan, and give the information to a friend or relative who can call for help if your don’t return as scheduled
· Observe the nautical rules-of-the-road, including speed limits
· Get a courtesy vessel safety check
· Report emergencies via channel 16 on a marine VHF-FM radio
· Don’t discharge oil, trash or sewage in to the water
· Properly insure your boat and make sure it has sufficient coverage
For more information on boating safety, or boating other safety topics, contact Allstate agent Eva Turner at 803-865-6601, or via email at [email protected].
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the You’re In Good Hands With Allstate® slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada , or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products and services at www.myallstatefinancial.com.