CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — With the extended holiday weekend, many Coastal Bend residents and visitors will be heading to the beach and taking to the water.
U.S. Coast Guard Corpus Christi Sector Capt. Michael Cintron said for those looking to be on boats Monday, operating recreational vessels may be even more complex than operating your car because of the wind, waves and currents.
"If you include alcohol in that, especially if you've been out for a long period of time in the hot sun, it can really increase the risk of being inebriated while operating the vessel and getting some type of accident,” Cintron said. “And possibly a fatal accident injuring yourself and others on the water.”
According to the Coast Guard's 2022 Recreational Boating Statistics, nationwide last year there were 215 vessel accidents where alcohol was a contributing factor which led to 88 deaths and 148 injuries. Cintron stresses you should be prepared with supplies when heading out on the water.
"Seventy-five percent out of all recreational boating fatalities are drownings,” he said. “Eighty percent of those victims were not wearing life jackets. So that's issue number 1. Issue number 2, plan ahead of time when you're deciding to go out on the water."
He also stressed the importance of having a marine radio in case you get into distress. Also make sure you have enough water, food, and life jackets for everyone onboard.