Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Wind, rain can pose a danger

Paula DelGiudice

Wednesday, July 14, 1999 | 9:57 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at PDelGiudice@compuserve.com.

Boaters and anglers should be extremely cautious as they head to Lake Mead or Mohave, given the recent weather patterns of our summer monsoons. Winds and rains that are prevalent when these storm cells move through can be treacherous to boaters.

Those attempting to be on the water should make sure they carry all the survival gear they would need. These should include Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) for each person on board. They must be properly sized and in good condition. For boats 16 feet and over, you must carry an additional throwable device.

You should have on board a fully charged fire extinguisher, bell or whistle, visual distress signaling devices, paddles or oars, anchor and anchor line, a tool kit, flashlight, and for longer outings or those to a remote location, food, water and survival equipment.

Make sure to check the weather before heading out. If you get caught in foul weather, the Nevada Division of Wildlife's Boating Safety Education brochure recommends several things to keep you safe.

One is to reduce your speed, proceed with caution and put on your PFDs. Next, you should head for the nearest shore that is safe to approach.

Head the bow into waves at about a 40-degree angle. Watch for floating debris (more of an issue as you approach the outflow from major wash areas). Make sure to secure loose items and have your emergency gear ready. Keep the bilges free of water and shift to full fuel tank. Seat passengers on the bottom of the boat near the center line.

If your engine fails, anchor the boat. If you don't have an anchor or you are in deep water, use a sea anchor. (A sea anchor is anything that will create drag in the water and hold your bow into the wind. You could use a bucket on a line, a tackle box or another bulky item.)

Most boating fatalities are the result of a capsizing or falls overboard. Approximately 90 percent of the fatalities are the result of drowning. Nearly 80 percent of those who die in boating accidents are not wearing a PFD.

Take some extra precautions as you head for large waters this summer. Wear your PFD religiously and don't forget your common sense.

bf * NDOW RETIREMENTS: The Nevada Division of Wildlife said goodbye to two employees who retired recently. Roy Horsley, manager of the Southern Wildlife Management Area Complex, and Cornelio "Butch" Padilla, supervising habitat biologist, completed their 30 years of career service last Friday.

Most of Horsley's career was spent as manager of Overton Wildlife Management Area south of Overton. The area is a popular location for waterfowl and upland game bird hunting and wildlife viewing.

Padilla, a native of Hawthorne and a graduate of Nevada-Reno, began his career as a hatchery worker. He was a biologist at Lake Mead for 10 years and has been in his current position for the past 16 years.