On 4th of July boating: 'Have a good plan, have a backup plan' (copy)

VENICE — Captain Craig Marcum has seen countless boating mistakes in his more than 40-year career on the water.

As the owner of Sea Tow Venice, an on-the-water assistance company, Marcum has been called to address the many issues boaters run into, from needing parts or fuel to recovering their washed up or capsized boats.

"We get to see a lot of crazy situations where a lot of people have put their lives in danger," Marcum said. "Not intentionally, but just not really realizing what they were doing."

With Independence Day around the corner, the number of boaters on the water will increase, creating safety hazards.

"Fourth of July boat traffic is just beyond description," Marcum said. "It's almost so heavy out there that you can't navigate without crashing into another boat unless you really have your wits about you."

According to the American Boating Association, the 4th of July, along with Memorial Day and Labor Day, account for more than one third of all boating-related accidents and deaths.

To help prevent injury and potential casualties, proper boating supplies and preemptive behaviors are necessary. Here are Marcum's main tips:

Life jackets are crucial:

"It's so important to have a life jacket for every person on board that fits them properly," Marcum said. "Have it in a place where you know where it's at, have it be readily accessible, and get them out once in a while. Make sure they're clean and have no tears."

Prepare the fuel tank:

"There is a rule of thirds that we use in boating, and that is fill your fuel tank all the way up," Marcum said. "Use one-third of your tank to get where you're going, one-third of your tank to get back to home port, and can keep one-third in reserve for the unexpected."

Have a reliable communication device, preferably a VHF radio:

"If you're in distress, it's not just one person hearing you like on a phone, you may have dozens or even hundreds of people hearing you, so your chances of getting help quicker are better," Marcum said. "Cell phones don't have the range to go out into the Gulf as far as a VHF radio."

Confirm navigation lights work:

"This time of year, we get a lot of thunderstorms come up," Marcum said. "I tell people, before you go out, check the weather. But in bad weather, those navigation lights need to work because it gets really dark out there."

Carry an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB):

"If you can't get hold of somebody and you have an emergency, you can flip a switch and the Coast Guard is gonna immediately know who you are and where you are and send help right away," Marcum said.

Designate a sober skipper:

"You don't want to have your skipper out there consuming alcohol with this type of heat," Marcum said. "It's very easy to overconsume and become inebriated, and then with all the boat traffic, it's just a bad recipe and something's gonna happen."

Other required safety items:

"Have a noisemaking device; that can be a whistle, that can be a horn that's installed on the boat," Marcum said. "Also have a good working fire extinguisher."

Advice from Marcum to all boaters this holiday:

"Have a good plan, have a backup plan," Marcum said. "Know what you're going out into, know what the weather is going to be, know your boat, know your safety equipment, and ultimately know somebody you can call if you need help."