As boaters we spend our lives on top of the water.  Sometimes we forget what is at the bottom.  As a scuba diver, I have seen some of the things at the bottom of Canyon Lake.  We all know that building a dam and allowing the waters to cover farms, roads, a cemetery, a railroad track and farm buildings created Canyon Lake.  These items belong at the bottom of the lake.  Some others do not.

The bottom of the lake also is the resting place for people who did not pay attention to the rules of safety.  Not everyone who has drowned in Canyon Lake has been found.  Not every boat that has sunk in Canyon Lake has been recovered.  The underwater trees are not just places where anchor lines get tangled and lost. They also trap and hold people who drowned while boating or swimming.

Because we do not see everything that has made its way to the bottom of the lake, we have a tendency to forget just how dangerous the lake can be.  People only drown when safety rules are violated.  People are only injured when safety rules are violated. 

Failing to maintain a fuel line can result in an explosion and fire.  Failing to keep a proper lookout can result in a collision.  Failing to have a life vest on can create death if a collision knocks a boater into the water.  We sometimes get a false feeling of security because we have not had a recent problem and have not heard of the recent experiences of others.  Last year I saw at least three marinas on fire because of lack of boater maintenance.  Diving around the docks, recovering items that have fallen off, reminds me how quickly people forget those things that they cannot see. 

Every boater should have a checklist for maintenance.  Maintenance of a boat is one of the first issues of safety.  A boat that is not running properly is a dangerous boat.  Losing power ends the ability to steer and keep the boat in a safe location. 

Every boater should have a checklist for opening the boating weekend and closing the boating weekend.  Little reminders like turning on the blowers for five minutes before starting an inboard engine can avoid a fire in the marina.  A reminder to turn off unnecessary electrical items can prevent a fire.  Shutting off shore water can keep a boat from sinking at the dock.  Last year an internal water line broke and shore water began filling the boat.  Had the break occurred on a Monday night instead of a Saturday morning, the boat could have easily been at the bottom of the slip.  Life jackets need to be available, not just somewhere on the boat.  It is best if they are worn, not just stuffed under the seat.

A portion of the checklist should include the proper tying of a boat.  A loose, undersized or worn dock line can allow a boat to be beaten fiberglass shards.  Last year a storm resulted not only in broken lines but also had a small boat bouncing off properly tied boats in the marina.

Safety includes the protection of people and property.   It includes the courtesy as well as the obligation not to cause damage to other boats or injuries to other boaters and guests.  Checklists for safety and maintenance are available.  If you do not have complete checklists, create them.  They are available from many sources.

Safety is everybody’s business.  Just because we have had the good fortune not to suffer death or injury, we should not believe that we doing everything right.  The bottom of the lake is waiting for our carelessness.  There are things at the bottom of the lake that we do not want to see.