[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish authorities offer cold-weather boating tips

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish authorities offer cold-weather boating tips

Published: Wednesday, December 08, 2010, 12:37 PM     Updated: Wednesday,
December 08, 2010, 2:00 PM

 The Times-Picayune 

As more hunters and fishers head into Louisiana's wetlands and marshes, the
St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office is warning them to take precautions for
cold weather.


Cold weather hunting and fishing requires extra planning for safety,
authorities say.

Several recent cases of small vessels capsizing in gusty winds or running
aground due to falling water levels, illustrates the importance of taking
special precautions for cold weather boating and knowing the effects of wind
on tides, Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann and Marine Division head Capt.
Brian Clark of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office said.

Boaters who get wet or stranded in the marsh without protection can quickly
go into stages of hypothermia, authorities warn.

"It's all about planning'' when cold weather arrives, said Clark, a former
agent for the state Wildlife and Fisheries Department who has rescued plenty
of stranded boaters over the years. "You have to pay attention to the
weather and check equipment.''

Clark said boaters have to be prepared for cold fronts, which bring strong
winds that can cause the tide to drop rapidly, sometimes by several feet.
"You want to look at forecasts for anything involving expected winds from
the West, Northwest, Southwest or North,'' Clark said.

Pohlmann said the parish's marshes and coastal areas are great draws for
hunters and fishers.

"While St. Bernard Parish can be a paradise for those who like to boat in
cold weather for fishing or hunting purposes it calls for planning in
advance, including taking precautions for emergencies and being aware of the
effects of winds on tides,'' Pohlmann said. "Fishing has been good and we
are in the peak of hunting season. Plenty of people are in St. Bernard using
boats. But there can be danger.''

Pohlmann and Clark offer these tips:

- Always tell someone specifically where you are heading, when you are
leaving and when you plan to return.

- Make sure the boat has enough life jackets and other flotation devices
that can be thrown to someone who falls into water. If possible, use that
instead of jumping in after them. 

- Make sure your cell phone battery is charged.

- Make sure your boat has signaling devices, extra dry clothing or blankets,
food and liquids. Also, bring something to start a fire in case your boat
becomes stranded in the marsh on a cold night

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