Free vessel safety checks offered to boaters at Discovery Park
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
America’s Boating Club of Greater Sacramento conducted free vessel safety checks at Discovery Park over Labor Day weekend to help boaters prepare for a safe end to the summer boating season.
Paul Adcock, a local boater, shared his enjoyment of spending time on the water.
“We go up and down the river, visit a lot of restaurants. We anchor over at American River, spend the days over there,” Adcock said.
The safety checks included inspections of registration, required equipment, fire extinguishers, and safety gear. Susan Webb, a representative of America’s Boating Club of Greater Sacramento, highlighted the importance of certain items.
“First aid kits are a recommendation, not a requirement, but very important,” Webb said.
The group also suggested replacing traditional pyrotechnic flares with electric ones. Webb explained that even seasoned boaters could benefit from the inspections.
“Most of the boaters have been boating years and years, so they don’t get much wrong, but they may not be fully aware of the Coast Guard requirements of the equipment they should carry on board,” Webb said.
Boats that passed the inspection received a U.S. Coast Guard decal. For Adcock, the timing of the free inspection was convenient.
“I came down to do some cleaning on my boat and probably go out later. I happened to run into one of the inspectors and kind of kill two birds with one stone,” Adcock said.
Boaters who did not pass the safety checks were not cited or fined. The boating club noted that the event started off slow but gained momentum as more people headed to the water.
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