Date: 2/18/08
Contact: Edwin Lyngar
Phone: (775) 688-1548, 741-1004

FATAL SPRING BOATING ACCIDENTS ALARM GAME WARDENS, BOATING OFFICIALS

Two fatal boating accidents in two weeks in Northern Nevada Create Alarm

Two boating accidents on Northern Nevada waterways in the past two weeks have prompted game wardens at the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) to warn spring boaters and fishermen about the dangers of cold water and the absolute need to carry—and preferably wear—life jackets on spring boating and fishing trips.

“State law requires a wearable life jacket for every person on board, and children under 13 must wear a life jacket,” said Lieutenant Jerry Smith, the supervising game warden in Elko. “It is so terribly sad when lives are lost in these situations. We are asking spring boaters and fishermen to take care--don’t take cold water for granted; it can kill an excellent swimmer in just a few minutes. And most importantly, a life jacket won’t work if you don’t wear it, and you have no chance at all if it’s not even in the boat.”

The first accident happened on April 5th at Rye Patch Reservoir outside Lovelock Nevada. A 52-year-old Reno resident presumably went overboard off a 12-foot aluminum boat while fishing. Preliminary investigations show that he was not wearing a life jacket.

The second accident was reported at Rawhide Reservoir, a privately owned reservoir on the Petan Ranch in Elko County on Sunday. Two men went out on the reservoir in a canoe and capsized. A 24-year-old employee of Petan Ranch presumably drowned. Neither men were wearing life jackets and there were no life jackets in the boat.

Neither accident victim has yet been recovered though search efforts continue. The water temperature for both boat accidents was below 50 degrees. “We absolutely know that cold water can kill. Even when the temperature is very nice outside, our Northern Nevada waters are still bitterly cold, so we always tell boaters to dress for the water conditions—not the air temperature,” said Bob Summers, a Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety instructor.

On the most recent accident near Elko, search efforts were conducted by Elko County Sheriff’s Office—these efforts also included NDOW boats, personnel and equipment, and Washoe County, and a dive team from Idaho. Officials want to continuously emphasize the effects of cold water, how the human body reacts and shuts down quickly and the importance of wearing a life jacket, and at the very least, having life jackets in the boat, said Smith.

Over the next couple months in Northern Nevada, game wardens will enhance patrol efforts on life jacket compliance. “We will issue citations and terminate boating trips for boats without sufficient life jackets. It’s the state law, and we have already lost two people this year,” said Smith.

Cold water and no life jacket is a lethal combination, but there are many other important issues regarding boating safety, and boaters are encouraged to learn before going boating or fishing. Boaters interested in taking an in-class boating safety course can contact the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at (775) 852-5557. To learn more about boating in Nevada, boaters can visit www.boatnevada.org or call the Department of Wildlife at (775) 688-1500.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.