HR0770 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0770 LRB098 16079 MGM 51133 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources 2012 Recreational Boating Report, there were 101 United States Coast Guard (USCG) reportable watercraft accidents during federal fiscal year 2012 in Illinois, resulting in 69 injuries and 19 fatalities; and

WHEREAS, In federal fiscal year 2012, Conservation Police Officers inspected 20,015 vessels, and provided assistance to a combination of 2,231 persons and vessels; and

WHEREAS, Boating accident reports indicate the majority of accidents occur between June and July, on Saturday or Sunday, between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.; conditions are usually clear with good visibility, light winds, and calm water; and

WHEREAS, Most accidents involve operators between the ages of 20 and 40 with over 100 hours of boating experience but have little or no classroom boating safety instruction; and

WHEREAS, In the majority of the 19 fatal accidents in federal fiscal year 2012, the operators had no formal boat safety education; and

WHEREAS, Ten of the 19 fatalities involved drug or alcohol impairment; with the leading type of fatal accidents involving falls overboard; and

WHEREAS, Current Illinois law provides that persons at least 12 years of age but less than 18 years of age may only operate a motorboat if they have in their possession a valid Boating Education Certificate of Competency issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Safety Education Division or they are accompanied on the motorboat and under direct control of a parent or guardian, or a person at least 18 years of age designated by a parent or guardian; and

WHEREAS, There is no requirement in Illinois for anyone over the age of 18 to complete a Boating Education Course before operating a motorboat; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Boat Registration and Safety Act states that the Department of Natural Resources may cooperate with schools, private clubs, and other organizations in offering boating safety courses throughout the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Natural Resources should increase efforts to have more boaters voluntarily participate in boating safety courses; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to work with boat rental businesses, boating clubs, and other organizations to encourage Illinois boaters to participate in boating safety courses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Director of Natural Resources, for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.