Driver Survives Wicked Crash

The Associated Press offered up this footage of a driver losing control of his boat last week in San Diego while preparing for a race in Mission Bay.

Fire in the Hole

Some routine spring maintenance recently put a Cape Cod boater in the hospital with third-degree burns.

Matthew Name of Provincetown, Massachusetts, was cleaning out the bilge area of his 30-footer when sparks from the battery ignited gas fumes. Although the resulting explosion caused serious burns to his hands, face and chest, the 39-year-old was able to get out of the boat, which was dry-docked, and stumble for help.

An employee of the Northside Marina in East Dennis heard the explosion and saw Name emerge from the burning boat. He called police and administered first aid. A flight-for-life helicopter later transported the injured boater to Boston. Police said he was in good condition.

The accident serves as a cautionary tale for boaters: Proper ventilation is critical to any area on your boat where fumes can accumulate.

Safe Boaters Wanted!

If you're the kind of boater who always makes sure your guests know proper behavior onboard and what to do in an emergency, then the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) can use your help. The U.S. Coast Guard is presently seeking people to fill some open positions on the council's board.

Just because you're a Regular Joe, don't think you can't get involved. In fact, the NBSAC is comprised of members of the general public as well as representatives from the boating industry, national recreational-boating organizations, and state-level departments responsible for boating-safety programs. The council works closely with the Coast Guard and in turn with the Secretary of Homeland Security on federal regulations and other matters relating to boating safety.

For further information, or to download an application, click here.

Make Room in Your Wallet

In part because of its rising boating-related fatality rate, Florida is poised to make boater ID cards mandatory for anyone who takes the helm.

Currently, all Florida boaters under 21 must carry an ID card, which signifies they have taken a boating safety course. But now, citing statistics from other states that show a positive correlation between mandatory safety courses and lowered fatality rates, the state's Boating Advisory Council has proposed a plan that would raise the required age in five-year increments over the next 11 years. If enacted in 2008, the legislation would apply to all boaters by 2020.

Capt. Richard Moore, the state's boating-law administrator, insists that the boater ID card is not a license. It merely reflects that the boater has taken a safety course, and once you have a card, it's good for life.

Contest for Cruising Kids

The National Safe Boating Council is asking for entries for its 2008 Boating Safety Sidekicks Contest "I'm a Safe Boater, Are You?"

Children between the ages of four and 15 and are encouraged to submit stories, posters, or videos that describe how they stay safe on the water. Winners will receive prizes courtesy of West Marine and WithinReach.

For more details and to view last year's winning entries, visit the Boating Safety Sidekicks Web site.