California Department of Fish and Game
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 01:038 May 18, 2001

Contact:
Jack Edwards, Deputy Chief, Enforcement Branch, 653-6420
Troy Swauger, Information Officer, (916) 654-2096

DFG Urges Anglers in Boats to Wear Life Jackets

Concerned over the rising number of California's fatal boating accidents by
anglers, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will step up monitoring the
availability of personal floatation devices aboard vessels as well as urge
boaters to wear the life preservers while they are enjoying the water. An
analysis of fatal boating accidents in California reveals that nearly half
of the victims in 2000 were on fishing trips.

The 2000 data, which will be released on Tuesday by the Department of
Boating and Waterways (DBW), shows that 25 of California's 51 boating
fatalities (49 percent) involved fishing-related activities. The number
reflects a significant increase over 1999's 13 fishing-related fatalities
and 42 total boating deaths.

"Fish and game wardens who patrol California's waterways routinely check
whether sport fishing vessels carry a sufficient number of life jackets,"
said Capt. Tom Harmon with DFG's Delta Bay Enhanced Enforcement Project.
"The number of boating fatalities while people are fishing is disturbing,
especially since the simple act of wearing a flotation device would prevent
most of them. Every boater, whether fishing or not, should have a healthy
respect for water but no one should consider fishing a dangerous sport."

California law states that all boats must have one wearable life jacket
(Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V) for each person aboard. Boats
that are 16 feet or more in length must carry, in addition to the
wearables, at least one throwable (Type IV) flotation.

It is a violation, punishable by a fine of up to $250, to operate a vessel
that is 26 feet or less in length unless every child 11 years of age or
younger on board is wearing a Type I, II, III or V life jacket. The law
does not apply to the operator of a sailboat on which every child under 12
is restrained by a harness tethered to the sailboat, or the operator of a
vessel on which every child under 12 is in an enclosed cabin.

Although California's temperate climate allows for year-round boating on
much of the state's waterways, most boating activity - and therefore most
accidents - occur between May 1 and Sept. 30. The annual National Safe
Boating Week begins Saturday and runs through May 25. The theme for the
national campaign is "Be Smart from the Start. Wear Your Life Jacket."

Of all drowning victims in fishing-related accidents in California, 88
percent were not wearing a life jacket or a personal flotation device, said
Raynor Tsuneyoshi, Director of the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW).

Capsizing and falls overboard represented 72 percent of angling-related
fatalities while 24 percent of these fatalities occurred due to overloading
or improper loading, such as sitting or standing on the gunwale, the bow or
the transom. DBW determined that of the 25 angling-related fatalities in
2000, eight were found to be alcohol-related.

"What we're seeing is problems related to improper loading or overloading,"
said Tsuneyoshi. "Often, when an angler has a fish on the line, everyone
moves to that side of the boat to assist. There is a clearly marked
capacity plate on every boat that states the weight or passenger limit, and
people should look for it and understand the numbers to allow a safe and
fun outing."

Recently, DBW has increased outreach efforts to boaters from seasonal to
year-round in many areas of the state. DBW expanded a radio message
campaign and an outdoor media campaign, both of which place special
emphasis on fishing, highlighting topics such as wearing life jackets,
abstaining from alcohol while boating, and checking the weather before
venturing out. Additionally, Boating and Waterways is working with DFG to
coordinate angler education efforts, and placing articles in fishing
publications.