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With two boating deaths so far this year, state officials are trying to get out the word about staying safe on the water.
They're emphasizing a phenomenon that can make boaters act as if they're drunk, even when they're not.
They're called "marine stressors;" factors that can stress out a boater and numb the brain. That sometimes results in behavior as unsafe as being legally drunk, without a drop to drink.
One of Chris Haller's weekend duties is stopping boaters who may be breaking the law.
"In fact, we'll make a stop right now on a personal water craft," he said.
In this case, it's a verbal warning for the most common safety violation, going faster than idle speed within 150 feet of another boat. He's also on the lookout for the most important safety issue: life jackets. Nearly 80 percent of boaters who die aren't wearing one.
But a more subtle issue is the stress and strain on a boater's brain.
"The temperature of the day, along with the wave actions, can really fatigue a person," he said.
Couple that with the glare and dehydration effects of the sun, the wind, the noise, the vibration of the motor. After several hours the numbing effects on the brain can slow down reaction time and impair judgment just like a blood alcohol content of .10.
"Actually the same as driving under the influence, which is the same as boating under the influence," Haller said.
The answer is to drink lots of water and go easy on the stress factors.
"We highly recommend that people, when they're out boating, about every four to six hours, go take a break," he said.
The state is actually having a pretty good year from the standpoint of boating safety, with only two boating deaths so far this year, compared to five all of last year and 12 the year before that.
But experts warn that stress and fatigue can put boaters at risk, even when they're done boating for the day.
"If they were to drive home, they need to give themselves ample time to rest and recoup themselves," Haller said.
Another important safety factor is to be aware always of the threat from carbon monoxide. One of the two deaths this year was a direct result of the odorless, colorless gas.
E-mail: hollenhorst@ksl.com
