Matt Cameron, TWRA Boating Officer, will discuss boating safety at the mandatory Douglas Lake Open Water Swimming and Boating Safety Clinic.

The Boating Safety Clinic will be held at 9:00 a.m. at The Point Pavilion.  All swimmers and boat crews must attend.  Please dock your boat.

Prior to the clinic, please read and understand the following safety guidelines.  Matt Cameron and Wayne Rich, also a TWRA Boating Officer, will be happy to answer your questions.

• Escort boats and volunteer boats must possess all required safety equipment:
  • A wearable US Coast Guard approved for each person onboard including the swimmer.
  • A US Coast Guard approved Type 4 throwable device.  A rope tied to this device makes it much more useful.
  • At least one B-1 fire extinguisher.
  • A valid registration that is displayed properly.
  • Proof of successful completion of Boating Safety if operator is born after January 1, 1989.
  • Passengers age 12 and younger must wear a US Coast Guard approved PFD when underway
• TWRA will provide two patrol boats with emergency blue lights that will lead and follow the event by creating the swimming zone and warding off oncoming vessel traffic.
• The escort boats will form a barrier behind the lead patrol boat to protect the swimmers in this event.  Escort boats should keep a distance of about 75 yards (225 feet) from the shoreline. 
• The TWRA patrol boats will monitor all marine band radio channels but should be hailed on Channel 16 if an emergency arises.  Boaters should use non emergency channels such as 68 for talk around. In the event of an emergency the Swimathon will be temporarily suspended until the situation can be resolved.
• If a rescue attempt must be made by an escort boat then try to throw the Type 4 throwable device or throw bag to the distressed swimmer or reach out to them with a paddle or boat hook.  If you must go into the water then a life jacket must be worn and one taken with you to give to the swimmer.  Notify emergency personnel immediately.  Rescue squad boats equipped with divers will be on hand to engage in emergency situations.
• No motorized vessels will be permitted to enter the swimming zone.  If and when a swimmer needs to re-board their escort boat the swimmer must swim to the completely stopped vessel with the engine shut off. Only non-motorized vessels (canoes and kayaks) will be permitted to enter the swimming zone.
• Escort boats should stay at least 50 feet from other boats and should not follow single file but should stagger their path as they navigate down the course. 
• If your swimmer is progressing quickly and you must pass another escort boat then do so by passing on the port or right hand side.
• TWRA Officer Matt Cameron can be reached by cell phone at 865-300-7601 anytime during the event.  The Douglas Lake Swim-a-thon Committee Boat can be reached by calling Bill Black at 865-566-3420.