Thinking of hitting the water during the holiday weekend at one of Arizona’s lakes, perhaps even Lake Pleasant, which is CAP’s storage reservoir?

At CAP, safety is one of our core values. In fact, each meeting at CAP generally begins with a “Safety Minute,” where a bit of wisdom is shared to help keep coworkers and the workplace safe.

Here’s a “Safety Minute” for you. Make a safe splash by keeping the following boating safety tips in mind:

Keep afloat

Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating, near open bodies of water, or when participating in water sports. Water wings, floaties and air-filled toys are not life-saving devices.

Make sure your captain is of age

Age restrictions apply for motorboats or other motorized watercraft such as jet skis or wave runners. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in Arizona, no one under the age of 12 may operate a vessel with a motor greater than 8 horsepower (which includes personal watercraft) unless it’s an emergency or the child’s parent, legal guardian or another person at least 18 years of age is onboard.

In 2023, the US Coast Guard counted 3,844 accidents that involved 564 deaths, 2,126 injuries and approximately $63 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents. A majority (75%) of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction.

Maintain a boat free of aquatic invasive species (AIS)

Arizona law requires boaters to “clean, drain and dry” their boat when leaving state AIS-listed waters. Learn more about AIS.

Of course, stay hydrated and don’t forget the sunscreen.

CAP wishes you and your family a fun and safe Independence Day weekend!