BOATING'S FIRST BIG WEEKEND OF THE YEAR COMING UP

It's a different year, but the hazards remain the same as American boaters prepare for one of recreational boating's biggest weekends.

A majority of the nation's more than 18 million boaters will be heading for the water, and water safety experts estimate that as many as 50 people could die in U.S. waters during the holiday.

As the three-day Memorial Day weekend approaches, Missouri Water Patrol officials, Illinois' Department of Natural Resources reminds boat operators and passengers to use life jackets, stay sober and be considerate of others who are using the waters this boating season.

Law enforcement agencies will be out in full force during the long weekend to hold down the number of drunken drivers and deaths on roadways and waterways.

Extra officers Missouri and Illinois will patrol roadways, paying special attention to speed, seat-belt usage and alcohol-related violations.

Also out in bigger numbers will be Missouri Water Patrol officers, conservation agents and U.S. Coast Guard officers, stressing the theme of National Boating Week "Boat Smart from the Start and Wear Your Life Jacket." This week has been designated National Safe Boating Week.

If the theme established for this week's (May 20-26) is familiar, it should be. For a second straight year, "Boat Smart from the Start, Wear Your Life Jackets" has been designated as the motto.

"We anticipate a large number of boaters this weekend," said Jamie Pointers, spokesperson for the Missouri Water Patrol.

Missouri boating accidents the past two years have been down from the record year of 1997, when more than 400 accidents were reports. Fatalities, however, have been up the past two years.

Last year, there were 397 accidents on waterways and 23 deaths. 1998 totals showed 379 accidents and 23 deaths.

More than a third of the accidents were attributed to alcohol and "most boating deaths and injuries resulted from those aboard not wearing life jackets," said Pointer.

Ditto Illinois boating fatalities.

There were 159 boating accidents involving 238 vessels in Illinois last year, resulting in 13 deaths and 75 injuries, down from the 179 accidents and 19 deaths in 1998.

"The most frequent causes of boating accidents in the state last year were careless, reckless, or inattentive operation of the boat," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources director Brent Manning.

"But no matter the cause, 11 of the 13 people who died in boating accidents were not wearing life jackets and alcohol was involved two thirds of the fatal accidents."

Nationally, 90 percent of those who died in boating accidents weren't wearing life jackets.

In most states, laws require life jackets be available for each person aboard boats and that life jackets be worn by people operating a boat.

In Illinois, children younger than 13 must wear life preservers aboard water craft less than 26 feet long.

In Missouri, youngsters younger than 7 must wear life preservers in water crafts shorter than 16 feet.

The U.S. Coast Guard has considered if it should require recreational boaters to wear their life jackets at all times, not just carry them aboard.

There's no doubt wearing personal flotation devices would save lives, say Coast Guard officials. "Life vests are no good if people won't wear them," they say

Missouri and Illinois water authorities remind boaters that conservation police and other law enforcement agencies strictly enforce laws against boaters operating under the influence of alcohol.

After-dark speed limits have been established in Missouri. The limit is 30 mph for boaters on the Missouri waterways and the Mississippi River and on lakes with an aggregate shoreline that exceeds 160 miles. That includes Wappapello Lake in Southeast Missouri and Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, Mark Twain, Table Rock and Smithville.

The Mississippi River can be even more treacherous than lakes and streams, due to fast-moving waters and more debris, say boating experts.

Another hazard for boaters on the Mississippi River are the "wing dams," the rock dikes that stick out from the river's banks. If the river level is down, you can see the wing dams, but if the water is up a bit, they are invisible.

Recent U.S. Coast Guard data said Missouri is one of the most dangerous states for boaters. The agency tracks serious accidents those involving injury or death or damage exceeding $500.

In 1997, Missouri ranked fourth, with 333 serious boating accidents, and 11th in fatalities, with 25. The state with the highest numbers, was Florida with 1,218 reported accidents; 1,777 boats in accidents, 67 fatalities, 759 reported injuries and more than $5.7 million in property damage. Ranking second in high numbers was California, with 925 reported accidents, 1,405 boats in accidents, 43 fatalities and 527 injuries.

But Missouri also ranked first in boating arrests related to drugs and alcohol, said an analysis by state water officials.

The boat accidents totals from the Missouri Water Patrol and the Coast Guard differ. During a recent year, Missouri reported 410 accidents, compared to the Coast Guard's 333, but the Coast Guard reports only those involving deaths, injury or damage exceeding $500. Missouri reports all boating accidents.

Last year, the Missouri Water Patrol recorded 430 arrests for boating under the influence of alcohol, and 1,797 for drugs. Those totals were up from the previous year when there were 535 boating under the influence arrests and 1,208 drug arrests.

Missouri's accident rates are attributed to too many boats, too much alcohol and too few safeguards.

BOATING SAFETY

Water patrol officials point out that water doesn't have lane markings or turn signals. "It's a free-for-all, and there's no way to know what the other driver is going to do," say Missouri Water Patrol spokesmen.

Some water safety tips:

* Stay fresh and alert when driving. Take plenty of breaks, and don't try to meet an unrealistic schedule.

* Avoid peak travel periods.

* Avoid late-afternoon driving when heat, fatigue and heavy traffic are a strain.

* Don't drink and drive. Be aware that the effects of alcohol are intensified when on the water.

* Choose a designated driver before going to a party.

* Drive at a safe speed, allowing plenty of time and distance to react to traffic changes.

* Carry a Coast Guard-approved life preserver for every passenger aboard.

*n If in a river, watch the current and watch for fast-floating debris.