Boat Smart Chronicles

"while this book concentrates on boating in lake michigan, its lessons apply to all boaters everywhere. u.s. coast guard senior chief tom rau's extensive experience in search and rescue and boating safe'ty education is evident. there is a life-saving lesson in every story he tells. though tom has retired from the guard, he will undoubtedly continue to save lives through this book." - richard hubbard, author, boater's bowditch

"i am extremely pleased to see that tom rau has taken the time to put forward a lasting collection of his fabulous 'boat smart' stories. boaters have been looking forward to reading his weekly column for years and now stand to benefit by having his timeless words of wisdom at their finger tips on a lasting basis." - anthony popiel, commander, us coast guard

"you won't believe the boating stories senior chief rau so masterfully tells. read, laugh and weep, but foremost learn so lake michigan doesn't devour you and yours." - chief todd reed, uscgr (ret), 30-year coast guard lake michigan motor lifeboat coxswain 

"regardless of your level of experience with boats or around water, this book will definitely increase your situational awareness of the marine environment and its many challenges and dangers." - capt. dean g. hobbs, past grand lodge president - international shipmasters association, senior capt. s.s. badger, lake michigan car ferry

"if you're not a far safer boater after reading these unbelievable tales of boater screwups with valuable lessons learned then i urge you to stay off the water if not but for the sake of your loved ones." - chief jeffrey miller, uscg (ret), motor lifeboat coxswain, search and rescue station mnanager

"boaters and landlubbers alike will truly enjoy the many stories of rescues with valuable lessons learned. a wonderful book from a man who knows what he's talking about." - jim shepard, past commander, grand rapids united states power squadron

"boat smart chronicles is an excellent resource for all boaters: paddle, sail, and power. it will encourage you to think about safe'ty practices and what to do during an emergency. whether new to boating or an old salt, there is much to be leamed from tom's firsthand experiences." - eric lind, senior race officer, united states sailing association

"tom rau's boat smart chronicles clearly reveal the average recreational boater is dangerously uneducated." - capt. john watson, society of marine surveyors, michigan dnr officer (ret)

"excellent, a must read for anyone who goes to sea and should be a required read for beginning boaters. great lakes maritime academy will use this book in conjunction with our survival training classes." - rear admiral, john tanner superintendent, great lakes maritime academy

"as former coast guard ninth district and atlantic area commander, i often received reports of recreational boating deaths and injuries—most were absolutely avoidable. i urge that an...

Senior Chief Tom Rau retired from the Coast Guard in May 2002 after serving over 27 years on active duty and in the active reserves. A great deal of his active-duty time was spent on Lake Michigan at six different search and rescue facilities along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. One of his more notable achievements included writing the "Group and Stations Communications Watchstander Qualification Guide" used throughout the Coast Guard to train radio watchstanders in handling boater's calls for assistance. In 1990, Rear Admiral Robert Nelson, Chief Office of Navigation Safety in a letter to Rau wrote; "This guide has provided us a valuable tool to improve our service to the boating public."
Rau has had a great deal of experience with the boating public in search and rescue even in his later years as a Chief. On his retirement Senior Chief Rau received his second Coast Guard Commendation medal with The Operational Distinguishing Device. The award cited that from May 1997 to May 2002, Senior Chief Rau personally conducted 150 search and rescue cases on the water and performed 435 vessel boardings. His most noted contribution, which two Coast Guard Commandants have personally awarded him for, is the Boat Smart column. Rau has been writing safety articles since 1986. Many of the columns are based on actual Coast Guard cases he has played a part in. During the 2001 Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Michigan, Admiral James Loy, then Commandant of the Coast Guard, awarded Senior Chief Rau the prestigious Alex Haley award for the Boat Smart column.
Even though Senior Chief Rau has retired, he remains active with the Coast Guard Auxiliary in
Manistee, Michigan. He also holds a Coast Guard 100 gross-ton Master License, coastal waters. Rau continues to write the Boat Smart column with the Coast Guard. The popular column now reaches hundreds of thousands of readers through dozens of newspapers and magazines. Boat Smart is also distributed across the globe via the internet. In addition, Senior Chief Rau's 60-second Boat Smart safety messages have reached millions of radio listeners across the Midwest. For all his efforts, that include over 350,000 published words and hundreds of columns, he has never received a dime. Senior Chief Rau feels that if just one life is spared on the water from this effort, that is more than payment enough.

acknowledgements

mission brief

the lake of the sinking waters

ominous beginnings

easy prey

modern day prey

seven dangerous factors

accessibility

remote to robust

an invitation for mishaps

growth signs abound

close quarter arena

boats, seawalls and piers; a dangerous mix

the grounder

the inviter

congested waters

collisions with other boats and objects

the unenlightened

night time peek-a-boo

fishing frenzy

boaters need to wake up

show time

large boats, small minds

seasonal dangers

springtime surge

warm air/cold water sucker punch

it’s now or never

wanton ignorance

alcohol and boating: a deadly mix

hoax calls a needless curse

channel 16 abuse

passenger jeopardy

electronic ignorance

laying down the law

life jacket denial

venus flytrap

all but for the lack of a life jacket

murky water a subtle danger

naïve assumptions

recreational mishaps alarming

giant aquatic park

ten dangerous assumptions boaters make

rescue responders capabilities and limitations

coast guard; one-of-a-kind

lake michigan coast guard crews committed

coast guard lake michigan resource

filling the gaps

needless overdue calls deplete resources

strong law enforcement accord

condo commanders

sensible boating, key to search and rescue

pain in the stern

navigation can lead to a timely rescue

nav tricks you can bag

light up or perish in darkness

expired flares could be useless

sailboats vulnerable near a lee shore

emergency anchoring can test the best

coast guard aircrew offers lifesaving advice

beware stay off unstable ice

a historical view of recreational boating

looking back

getting it right

a grim outlook

connecticut on the cutting edge

hands-on boating safety course

author bio