January 22 GRDA Weekly Update

January 22, 2019

Cold Water Environments

When a person is unexpectedly plunged into cold water below 70ºF, the body's first response is usually an involuntary gasp. Without a life jacket, a victim may inhale while under water and drown. The ability to swim is restricted by shortness of breath or hyperventilation.

Individuals who plan to fish, boat or hunt from a boat this winter should follow these Cold Water Survival Safety Tips:

Always wear a life jacket, even when not required. Many models also offer insulation from cold air. Read approval labels to be sure the life jacket is appropriate for your boating activity and that it is properly fitted to you.
Never boat alone. Take a friend or family member with you.
Leave a float plan with family or friends so that someone knows where you are departing from and where you expect to arrive back ashore. If launching from a ramp, make sure they can provide information to authorities about your vehicle and trailer and where you are launching from.
Become familiar with the waters you plan to boat in advance of your trip. The latest issue of a Chart Book can be helpful in determining water depths and hazards, particularly at night.
Bring a fully charged cell phone with you in case of emergency, and store the phone and a charging cord in a waterproof bag or container.
Use your engine cut-off device. You certainly don't want your boat to leave you in the cold water, or worse, run over you.
Wear clothing that continues to insulate when wet, such as fleece, polypropylene or other synthetics.
If you are about to fall into cold water, cover your mouth and nose with your hands to reduce the likelihood of inhaling water.
If possible, stay with the boat. Get back into or climb on top of the boat.
While in cold water, do not remove your clothing.
If you cannot get out of the water, get into the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP). In this position, individuals bring their knees to their chest and hug them with their arms.
Once out of the water, remove wet clothes and warm up as soon as possible.
Seek medical attention when necessary. Err on the side of caution. Some effects of exposure to cold temperatures can be delayed.

Adopt the Shoreline

Oklahoma Road Conditions

We Are Moving at the Boat Shows

It’s that exciting time of year when we gear up for another lake season, and the annual boat shows will soon be underway to display all of the exciting changes in recreational activities in the area. GRDA will once again kick off the show circuit by joining our lake partners at the Tulsa Boat, Sport and Travel Show at the River Spirit Expo in Tulsa, January 28 through February 3.

Your friends at GRDA can be found on the upper level of the Expo Center with other lake enthusiasts in the Grand Lake Association area, but we will not be in the place you may be accustomed to. After many years of being in the same location, we will be relocating our booth closer to the action, just to the south and east of our previous booth site.

We encourage everyone to come to the Tulsa and Grove boat shows to see the latest in what area vendors have to offer for your outdoor pleasure. You will also see GRDA at the Midsouth Tackle, Hunting and Boat Show at the Expo Center in Grove, February 15-17, and the Grove Boat Show March 7-10. While there, stop by and visit with us and get the latest information on what is happening on Grand Lake, Hudson Lake and the Illinois River. Meet the GRDA Police officers that are there to help you on the lakes and rivers, have the family participate in the “Life Jacket Challenge”, help yourself to our printed materials and the best promotional items. See you at the shows!

Life Jackets Worn Nobody Mourns

Boating Industry Continues Growth

The National Marine Manufacturers Association,representing the nation's recreational boat, engine and marine accessory manufacturers, announced that retail unit sales of new powerboats were up an estimated 4 percent in 2018 to approximately 280,000 units, the highest total since 2007. The outlook for 2019 remains positive with continued growth expected to bring a 3–4 percent increase in new powerboat retail sales.

As one of the country's growing outdoor recreation activities, NMMA also announced that the recreational boating industry contributes an estimated $170.3 billion in economic activity to the U.S. economy.

Did You Know?

In 2017, the Coast Guard counted 4,291 accidents that involved 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries and approximately $46 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents.

9 pm Routine

Grand Lake O' The Cherokees

Safety Education Programs

"Updates" on the Web

Did you not receive our latest GRDA Update? Do you have a friend that wants to see our Updates? You can now go to our website at GRDA.com to view the latest edition of GRDA Police Updates. Go to the Lakes/River tab, open the GRDA Police tab and click on the GRDA Police Update for the latest version of our email release.

Visit our website for GRDA Police Updates

Boating Tips From the GLPS

Boats are more susceptible to wind than your car. When driving your car, you may feel strong wind gusts and need to be careful to remain in your lane. A boat can be pushed off course even with light winds and become difficult to control in strong winds.

How a boat responds to wind is based on windage, which is the exposed boat structures above the water and the underwater hull shape. The direction of the wind to the boat is also a factor. A boat with the wind directly on the bow faces less windage than with the wind perpendicular to it.

A hull design with more underwater structure such as a deep keel can help counter windage by offering resistance to the wind. A flat bottom boat with minimal draft and high freeboard will be more susceptible to wind strength and direction.

Interested in becoming more confident in your boating skills? Boat Smart from the start and take a course from America’s Boating Club, the United States Power Squadrons. For local information visit our website at: usps.org/grandlake or on Face Book at GLPS.

The GLPS Offers BASIC WEATHER AND FORECASTING SEMINAR

Are the winds too strong? What is a small craft advisory? The safety and comfort of those who venture out on the water have always been weather dependent. This seminar, a must for boaters who have never taken a weather course, will help you answer these questions and gain an understanding of the forces acting on your boat. Understand the forecast and know what to expect, whether you're in a kayak, pontoon boat, sailboat, or schooner. This seminar presents a complex subject in a way that is both understandable and useful.

What’s Included?

· What causes weather

· How weather systems move

· Why winds blow

· What clouds tell us

· How storms and fronts create foul weather

· Why fog forms

· Where to get the best professional forecasts

· How to refine them using your own observations

The seminar will be held at the Grand Lake Association (GLA) Visitors Center (9630 US Highway 59N) training room on Monday, 4 February 2019 at 6:00 pm. The seminar is expected to last about 2 to 2 ½ hours. The cost of this seminar is $10.00 per person (cash or check).

Please contact Bob Russell at robren95@aol.com (email) or call 918-787-9245 by 30 January 2019 if you want to attend this seminar.

NAV TIME

A Summary of Boating Laws, Navigation Regulations & Tips

That All Boat Operators Should Know

Local Regulations

The Grand River Dam Authority places additional rules and regulations on those boating on the Grand Lake of the Cherokees, Lake Hudson, and W. R. Holway Reservoir than is required on other lakes in the state. Learn what the local regulations are before you go boating.

You can call the Grand River Dam Authority Police at 918-256-0911 if you have questions or read the regulations for their lakes at www.grda.com/downloads.title-300-grda-administrative-rules/.