Story by Hunter Baughman | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Hello everyone.
This is something I’ve been debating about writing. Unfortunately, it shines a negative light on our fishing industry and social media is adept at blowing bad situations out of proportion. However, the two boat wrecks that occurred a few days ago have been on my mind. One was tragic and the other could have easily been the same. Then—as I write this—there is an active recovery search for a man on one of our local lakes. I wasn’t there and don’t know the true events of any of these accidents and won’t be speculating about them.
As much time as I’ve spent in a boat, I’ve also lived the other side of a boat wreck. Seven years ago, my 15-year-old brother n law was involved in a boating accident and lost his life. I’ve experienced being on the shore as rescue teams transition their mission from rescue to recovery. Was there when they had to tell the family they recovered the body. It’s something I don’t wish on anybody.
So how do you keep your family from going through the same nightmare my family and so many others have endured?
You pay attention.
Paying attention doesn’t mean something bad won’t happen—it’s no different than driving down the road or anything else in life. But it’s a step in the right direction. Some events are out of our control, and we never know when our time is up. Being aware of what is going on around you could save your life.
I know as well as anyone how exciting a tournament take-off can be. The anticipation of the day, the feeling of the “race,” and the overall build-up leading to your number being called. We get to the ramp early, floating in the dark, preparing our tackle and talking with our buddies. I’ve seen grown men nearly shaking in excitement as take-off nears.
Next time you are in a boat, here are a few things to remember:
1. Know your boat. Know how it handles in smooth water and in waves.
2. Don’t drive faster than you can react. It’s no different than driving close behind someone in a vehicle. You must give yourself enough room to react to an unexpected situation.
3. Be aware of your surroundings—not just what’s going on in front of you but to the sides and behind. Even a great driver can have an accident if someone else makes a bad decision. Be alert to someone else’s bad decision in time to avoid it becoming your nightmare.
4. Wear your life jacket … at least when the boat is in motion—not just when the tournament rules say so. Wear it when you are fun fishing, too.
5. The least thought about but the most important is to know Jesus. If something bad does happen, are you going to Heaven? It’s something to think about.
I hope some of these thoughts will help keep you safe on the water. I encourage you to make good decisions next time you’re in a boat.
Next week we’ll get back to talking fishing.
Catch you soon!
Hunter Baughman – Angler Profile
