Page 162 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2018

THEFINALSAY KEITH
DAVIS
Marine Patrol Chief, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
Residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast are blessed to
be surrounded by beautiful waterways that give us the opportunity to boat and fish nearly year-round. Some people make their living off these waters, catching the tasty shrimp, fish, oysters and crabs that the Coast is known for. Others enjoy fishing and boating recreationally, often it’s a way for families to spend time together. Whether you’re on the water to make a living or just for fun, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources asks that you know the rules of boating and do everything you can to keep your family, friends and fellow boaters safe.
All boats must be registered with the state. If you are registering a boat for the first time, you must download the form from mdwfp.com and mail it in along with the required documents. After that, you can renew your registration wherever you renew your fishing license. The law requires that any person born after June 30, 1980, pass a boating education course to legally operate a vessel. But if it’s been a while since you’ve operated a boat or if you’re a first-time boat owner, I strongly suggest that you take this course. It is offered online, and we also conduct courses at different locations along the Coast. For a complete list of dates and locations, please go to our website, dmr.ms.gov.
Every year, Marine Patrol officers respond to boating accidents and unfortunately, some of these are fatal. Personal flotation devices — life jackets — are essential in helping to save lives when an accident happens. All vessels must have one wearable, U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD for each person riding the boat.
While the law requires that personal flotation devices be easily accessible on board the boat, we recommend that
everyone wear a life jacket while the vessel is moving. That way, if an accident happens, the people on the boat don’t have to think about putting on a personal flotation device.
Tubing and personal water crafts are becoming more popular and faster. While tubing, state law requires a “spotter” facing the tuber at all times. In addition, if
you tube in the rivers, we encourage you to stay away from the bends. Keep in mind a personal water craft also requires a boater safety course if the operator was born after June 30, 1980. Operation also requires the same safety equipment and they cannot be operated between legal sunrise and sunset unless they are equipped with proper navigation equipment.
Drinking alcohol while driving a boat is just as dangerous as it is when driving a vehicle. Driving a boat under the influence is against the law, and there are serious consequences. In addition, you can hurt yourself and others if you operate a boat while drinking.
If you are going boating or fishing, you should file a float plan. The forms are available on the MDMR website and if anything happens, the float plan tells us where you were headed and when you were scheduled to return. This plan gives Marine Patrol critical information when we are searching for a boat.
In addition to personal flotation devices, there are several things required on a boat: navigation lights between sunset and sunrise; a fire extinguisher; sound- producing devices, such as a horn, whistle or bell and visual distress signals.
All of us at MDMR want you to enjoy the natural resources that make living on the Coast so enjoyable. But please be responsible and stay safe!
162 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • July 2018
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