Avoiding Boater Fatigue

Tips and tricks to recognize and prevent fatigue while on the water.

We’ve all experienced fatigue in the car driving long distances; it can be as dangerous as driving under the influence. Fatigue is a documented phenomenon that appears as tiredness, impaired judgment, reduced reaction time and imbalance. It quickly affects the boat operator and passengers, contributing to many recreational boating accidents.

Regardless of age, experience or fitness level, fatigue affects us all. Stressors trigger fatigue, and as more stressors are added, fatigue becomes more pronounced. When the symptoms of fatigue appear, boaters can reduce the effects by taking the time to deal with them.

Stressors are both natural and artificial. These include sunshine, wind, water, noise, vibration, boat movement, interactions with others, chemical ingestion and dehydration.

The eyes are affected by the sun’s rays and glare off waves or surfaces. Overexposure to sunlight causes sunburn, while wind dries out the eyes and dehydrates the skin. Even water spray can blur windshields, which strains the eyes.

Other factors include engine noise, vibrations, wave motion, people’s interactions, boat traffic and uncomfortable seating positions.

Medications and alcohol reduce reaction time, decrease coordination and produce slurred speech; when dehydrated, the blood alcohol content is higher. Even caffeine affects blood flow and respiration, yielding nervousness, inability to concentrate, headaches and dizziness.

Fatigue increases irritability, impairs physical and mental capabilities, and makes it more challenging to operate a boat safely. Fatigue can reduce concentration, observation and sensory recognition. Tiredness, stiffness and cramps also occur; dehydration can also cause these.

Fatigue is cumulative. Without intervention, it can lead to bad decision-making, mistakes or careless attitudes that jeopardize the safety and welfare of everyone onboard.

Although each person’s level of fatigue is different, watch for irritability, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, a change in balance and a slower reaction time.

Know your own body. Be aware of fatigue symptoms and how you react to being on the water for short and long times and at different times of the day.

Dress appropriately, wear polarized sunglasses, a good hat and sunscreen (think SPF 50+).

Everyone should drink 1-3 liters of water per hour or every 20-30 minutes. Avoid alcohol, caffeinated or sugar drinks.

Take frequent breaks off the boat, from handling the boat or performing maintenance. Don’t pilot the vessel for more than two continuous hours. Stop and rest, or let someone else take over.

Allow more distance between you and other boats, and take each turn carefully. Stay on the right side of the lake and at least 200 feet away from the shoreline.

Be careful which medications you take, as some medications react negatively in the sunlight, producing skin irritation and sunburn.

Rest well before going on the boat, particularly for longer boat trips. Try to go out early to avoid strong sunshine, high heat, other boaters and docking congestion. Avoid boating during the middle or high heat of the day. Make frequent stops, take advantage of the shade, and take time to eat, rest, hydrate with water and reapply sunscreen.

When the engine runs for long periods of time, consider wearing earplugs.

Reduce the vibrations to your body by changing your operating position every 30 minutes. Alternate between standing and sitting, shifting your weight on each leg. At the helm, try using a cushion or small pillow at the small of your back.

Share physical tasks like raising and lowering anchors, throwing and handling lines, mooring, docking, hauling heavy coolers, fighting a big fish or dealing with towables. Away from the boat, maintain a regular workout routine and a balanced diet to better perform tasks with less strain.

If the operator is experiencing symptoms, the passengers likely are too, and it’s time to return to the dock before judgment is impaired.

Even if you aren’t experiencing fatigue, other boaters on the water might be, so watch out for the other guy. Safety First. ★

BY HELEN AITKEN

HEATHER STEINBERGER