It's National Safe Boating Week

With two of the state's mighty rivers flowing through Windsor, it is no surprise that the town is a popular place for boating in the region.

Windsor offers three places for boats to access the water - I-291/Bissell Bridge boat launch,  River Street boat launch and one at the Rainbow Reservoir.

But before you start paddling or motoring down the Farmington or Connecticut rivers, there are steps to take to ensure a safe and fun experience, says Eleanor Mariani, director of boating for the state Department of Environmental Protection, .

During National Safe Boating Week, “Our goal is to get people to take boating safety seriously. What they do makes a difference,” Mariani said.

Here are five boating safety tips from the DEP:

1. Wear a life jacket

“You never know when you’re going to end up in the water,” said Mariani.

According to DEP statistics, last year 88 percent of accidents involved people falling out of boats, resulting in about 32 people drowning. If people were wearing their personal floatation devices, the DEP estimates about 25 lives could have been saved.

This year, the DEP participated in the Second Annual “Ready, Set, Inflate!” Inflatable Life Jacket World Record Day on Saturday, May 21. This event not only promoted boating safety and life jacket wear, but it also worked to set a world record at the same time. The 2011 results are currently being compiled and will be posted the week of June 6.

2. Do not drink and boat

Last year, alcohol was involved in 80% of boating accidents, and 5 out of 6 people who died had alcohol involved in their death. “Drinking on land and water are different,” Mariani said. “There are different stressors in the water such as sound, wind and sun, and people don’t realize that it is unsafe.”

3. Do not paddle alone

A DEP study shows that there are lower fatalities in accidents where there is more than one person paddling. This avoids issues of accidents caused by fatigue.

If you are alone, however, the DEP advises boaters to wear the lanyard or “kill switch” that cuts the engine of the boat at the operator station

4. Get a Vessel Safety Check

These checks are free and ensure the safety of all those passengers on your boat. If your vessel passes the examination, it is guaranteed that your boat meets minimum safety standards, and in an emergency, you will have the necessary equipment. You will also avoid substantial fines, should you be boarded by law enforcement and found in violation. It is also possible that your insurance rates may be lowered—check with your agent.

5. Decontaminate your boat

It is important to respect the wildlife in the area that you are boating in, but it is also important to minimize contamination of different bodies of water.

The Clean Boater Program prevents the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species, such as zebra mussels in the western lakes, Mariani told Patch.

“If you visit waters in the western regions, you need to decontaminate your boat,” she said. This is done by leaving your boat out of the water for about five days, or you can wash your boat with hot, pressurized water.

Additionally, boaters are reminded to throw plants like water chestnut, which sticks to your boat, into a trash instead of back into the water.

If you are interested in taking a DEP boating course, the last one for the summer will be June 21, 23 and 28 at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield.

Riverfront Recapture

One regional organization involved in keeping boating safe and enjoyable is Riverfront Recapture, a non-profit group based in Hartford that works to maximize enjoyment of the Connecticut River.

Assistant Director of Community Relations and Park Operations, Craig Mergins has worked with the program for 23 years.

“This is a great way of getting young people on the Connecticut River through mainly non-motorized boating, “Mergins said. Some of the variations of boating include rowing, dragon boating, canoeing and kayaking. “It’s a very good, sustainable use of a natural resource” he told us.

The goal of Riverfront Recapture is to “instill that you follow safe boating regulations,” Mergins said. “You need to make sure you know the rules, plan your trip and make sure someone knows your schedule, always have a back-up plan, and always be aware that anything can happen.”

Mergin also advises people to be aware of weather conditions and prepare for anything. “We live in New England, so weather can change any second,” he said.

If you keep these simple rules and regulations in mind and take necessary measures, boating will remain a fun activity that appreciates our natural resources. “Most boaters are savvy to the regulations and rules because they want to keep the bodies of water nice for their use,” Mariani said.

“Riverfront Recapture is a big advocate of people using the river. It is a tremendously valuable resource with great opportunities,” Mergins said.

Guided Canoe Rides

Those looking to enjoy Windsor's rivers with guide can join Collinsville Canoe and Kayak on a guided canoe rides from “Poquonock to Connecticut River.” This ride is fit for all ages, has no prerequisites and is open to solo kayaks, tandem kayaks and canoes.