BIG RIVER
BOATING SAFETY
Barges
Most
of the vessels you are likely to see on the river will be commercial
barges. Stay clear of them!
These
barges can be ¼ mile long and they are not maneuverable.
If you are 1000 feet in front of a moving towboat you have less
than one minute to get out of the way before being pulled under.
Barges can produce wakes that can capsize smaller boats.
Steer into a barge's wake rather than taking it on broadside or,
better yet, move your boat to calmer water behind a wing dike.
Dikes
Dikes
or wing dams are piles of rock constructed to direct the current into the
navigation channel. There are hundreds of these structures in the Lower
Mississippi River. Some extend more than a mile out from or along the
shore. Depending on the dike and the level of the river, they may not be
visible.
They can do serious damage to your boat and/or motor.
Know where they are! Study
the navigation charts before your trip and have them on-board during your
outing.
Floating Debris
At times, especially after high water, the river can contain a lot of floating debris. Some of it can be large and dangerous such as logs or whole trees.
To ensure safe and enjoyable boating on the Mississippi River we recommend the following:
Items to Bring
·
Flotation device that can be thrown
·
Personal Flotation Devices for everyone aboard
·
Whistle
·
Fire Extinguisher
·
Paddle
·
Anchor
·
First Aid Kit
·
Flashlight
·
Rope
·
Cell phone or two-way radio
·
Matches
· Navigation Maps
Other
Your boat and motor should be in good working condition. Boats less than 16 feet are generally considered too small for safe use on the river.
Each boater should always wear a properly fitting Personal Flotation Device.
Let someone know where you’re going and approximately when you will be back.Don’t booze and cruise.