SML Water Safety Council

09/04/2023

https://youtu.be/88-qCrKveIU?si=aSvII9DvEqUb5WhG

08/28/2023

Nominations are open for the Karl Martin Safety Award – an award given by the Smith Mountain Lake Association’s Water Safety Council that recognizes an individual, business or organization for

07/06/2023

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. – Now that the holiday weekend is over, the Virginia...

06/21/2023

Remember the July 4th Fireworks is a No Wake" event.

06/10/2023

Channel marker C1 has been repaired. Continued to boat safely as we head into the weekend.

06/07/2023

Weather is getting better and providing more opportunities for night boating, here are some tips to make boating after dark safer and more enjoyable.

Tips to make boating at night on Smith Mountain Lake safer and more enjoyable.

05/28/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksIcUuNSG5c

Tips to make boating at night on Smith Mountain Lake safer and more enjoyable.

05/03/2023

Move over for emergency vehicles is now the law. When you see us on the water with our red lights flashing, slow to no wake speed until you have passed the scene we are working. Your wakes make it dangerous for us to work; especially when we are trying to transport an injured person.

https://thefranklinnewspost.com/news/new-move-over-law-applies-to-boaters/article_04542ab4-e2d8-11ed-bdb6-0fb126e7a84d.html -source=mp-homepage

04/27/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A7yFXgkA9M

The new "BOAT OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES" video covers obligations of boat operators for ensuring safety from pre-departure to the conclusion of every voyage....

04/11/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74uv5sZJkmQ

WSC member Chris Bechtler discusses how best to stow your life jackets.

04/10/2023

Vessel Safety Checks will be available 5/20/23 at Crazy Horse Marina and Bridgewater Marina & Boat Rentals. They will also be offered at SMLA Day at the Lake at Crazy Horse Marina on 6/10/23. They can also be scheduled on other dates if you can't make it to one of these events.

The new “Vessel Safety Checks” video shows how to schedule a courtesy VSC, at no charge, with a qualified US Coast Guard Auxiliary or United States Power Squ...

03/09/2023

You may recognize some of the scenery in this video, thank you America's Boating Club SML.

The new “PWC Person Overboard and Roll-Overs” video shows how to safely retrieve a person who falls off a personal watercraft (PWC). Viewers will also learn ...

03/08/2023

With the boating season rapidly approaching now is a great time to ensure you have good and serviceable life jackets for your family and guests on your boat. Size, type and condition are all very important. Here is a video to help you ensure you are ready.

The new "Life Jackets" video shows how to choose the most appropriate life jacket for your boat and activity, how to ensure that it's serviceable and fits pr...

01/06/2023

Monthly Tip from the members of the SML Water Safety Council - January 2023

Get Educated.

The Virginia Boater Education law is now five years old, and we’ve seen the accident rate plummet. There’s no doubt that educated/aware boaters are safer boaters. If you or your loved ones haven’t yet attended a Boat Virginia course, get scheduled. Anyone who’s on the water needs to have working knowledge of the boating basics the course covers. Everyone who attends learns something. Remember: You don’t know what you don’t know!

01/04/2023

Goals and/or Objectives:

Decrease the number of fatalities, injuries and boating accidents from the previous five or ten year average as well as the past year. *Review statistics when VDGIF releases their annual report.

Increase educational opportunities from the previous year by utilizing media outlets and continuing the publication of “Water Safety Notes”.

Support financially and logistically established safety programs in our community such as the:

July 4th fireworks no wake zone

Courtesy vessel safety checks

“Hot Shot” free ticket program for children wearing PFD’s

Continue to search for other viable programs

Have a presence at appropriate venues to not only “fly the flag”, but create educational opportunities through displays and hand outs. Market the individual expertise of Council members to interact with local groups and schools through talks and discussions using WSC and other resource material available to increase safety awareness.

Interact with and support the other programs, as appropriate, of the Smith Mountain Lake Association. Work in a collaborative manner within the financial resources of the organization.