Winter Boating Safety and Survival

Winter Boating Safety and Survival by Gary Benton
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Each winter thousands of us head for the water. Just like ducks we splash, swim, and play around in the lakes, streams, rivers and even the ponds of America, regardless of the time of the year. The Coast Guard reports that most fatal injuries occur from the period of October through December, and it is easy to see why. I suspect most of us know very little about how to safely prepare for a boating trip, or what to do in an emergency, especially during the cold months. Oh, and I have done some pretty silly boating things myself.

It was a freezing day in January and we had about three inches of snow covering the Missouri Ozarks. Bill and I decided to go on a float trip down the nearby Little Piney River for a few miles and camp over the weekend. His mother would pick us up on Sunday afternoon. This trip, according to Bill, would challenge us and test our winter camping ability.

Our destination was only about fours miles away and if we took it slowly and cautiously it would be no problem to reach. The first day of the trip we got a late start and put into the water at about dusk. We wanted a mile or two behind us, before we would be forced to camp for the night due to darkness. That was our biggest mistake!

The current was lazy as we meandered down the snake shaped river in all directions. As soon as it became dark, we began to look for a place to spend the night. We could not find a suitable camping spot because the river had eroded the banks on both sides of us to the point that ground level was now about five feet above the river. While we were looking for a place to land the boat, we had to use a flashlight to see by.

Suddenly, we entered a stretch of fast water! The river turned sharply to the left as we picked up considerable speed. The boat, without any warning, struck the right bank, drifted sideways, and leaned over enough that we started taking on water. It was only a matter of seconds before I decided to abandon ship and leave the captain of the Titanic to his own doom.

I jumped into the cold water and after the initial shock from the chill; I made my way to the nearest bank. While swimming, I had seen most of our supplies drift pass me headed further down stream. I watched as they floated toward the Mississippi River. As I looked around me, I noticed Bill, a stronger swimmer than I, was already on the same bank. Now, how did that happen? When I was in the boat he was still sitting there cursing.

As I stood in the faint light I looked over at Bill. He gave me a weak smile and said, “Look at yer shoe laces.”

I glanced down and watched ice begin to form on the laces and on the outside of the shoe. In a matter of seconds the whole shoe was encrusted with ice. We both knew we had to do something and do it very quickly. To hesitate even a few minutes could mean our deaths.

As I looked around in fear, I noticed lights across the river. I pointed to the lights and said, “Bill, we have to get to that farm house and do it quickly.”

My buddy didn’t say a word, but nodded his head in agreement. Slowly, Bill and I re-entered the water and swam to the other side. Gradually and drunkenly we made our way to the farmhouse. Strange, but I no longer felt cold, I seemed almost warm and comfortable as I fought the urge to stop and sleep. This lack of concern suddenly triggered an alarm in my pea brain that told me we were close to death. I think both of us were ready to give up when we literally ran into a gate.

The gate latch cut Bill’s hand as he forced it up and open. The cold had deadened the feeling to Bill’s hand to the point that he was not aware he had been cut by the sharp corners on the latch. We would remain unaware of his injury until we thawed out later. As the gate swung open we could hear the aggressive barking of farm dogs. I was suddenly angry, all this way to have a dog eat me alive.

I remember voicing concern about the barking and growling dogs, but we soon discovered they were locked up, thus not a threat. We sluggishly made our way up to the front door of the farmhouse. We knocked and knocked, but no answer. Then we pounded the door. Still we received no response. We both knew we had to do something and fast. It was then I noticed a light in the barn.

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