Captain's Corner

Recently, at Lake of the Ozarks  a experienced boater passed away from Carbon Monoxide (CO20 Poison.  Plus three other on board became ill.     One would think that out in the open air, on with breeze on the water this would not be an issue.   According to the US CG 2019 statistics, there were 31 reported boating-related CO poisonings, including  5 deaths  (U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics). Carbon monoxide (CO) can harm and even kill you inside or outside your boat! Did you also know: CO symptoms are similar to seasickness or alcohol intoxication. CO can affect you whether you're underway, moored, or anchored. You cannot see, smell, or taste CO. CO can make you sick in seconds. In high enough concentrations, even a few breaths can be fatal. Most important of all, did you know carbon monoxide poisonings are  preventable . Every boater should be aware of the risks associated with carbon monoxide - what it is; where it may accumulate; and the symptoms of CO poisoning.

  Illinois man drowns while swimming Lake Sun Another drowning has occurred on Lake of the Ozarks, claiming the life of a Waterloo, Ill. resident. According to the Missouri State Water Patrol report, Sean Jouglard, 21 was swimming near the 20-mile mark of the main channel around 6:10 p.m. on Aug. 8. The report states he exited the 2008 Monterey Open Bow Boat to go swimming and did not resurface. He was not wearing a life jacket. In the U.S. drowning takes an average of 3,500-4,000 lives per year. That is an average of 10 fatal drownings per day. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury related death for children ages 1-4. Drowning remains in the top 5 causes of unintentional injury related death from birth to 54 years old. In addition to fatal drownings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that in 2016 an additional 9,000+ victims were seen at U.S. Emergency Departments for a non-fatal submersion injury. 23% of child drownings happen during a fam