How can boaters protect themselves?

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - We're working to learn more about an afternoon boat fire at the Sunset Bay Marina in Wilson. A newstracker sent News 4 a dramatic image Monday afternoon. Authorities tell News 4, two people are injured, possibly with severe burns.

The accident is the latest in a recent string of incidents on western New York waterways.

So how can boaters protect themselves?

Linda Mogray said, "The people, instead of jumping out of the boat, swam out of the boat."

Linda and Harry Mogray recalled the frantic last moments just before a fishing boat with seven people on board sank about a mile off Olcott Beach.

The Mograys and the four guests on their charter boat managed to rescue all seven people from the chilly waters of Lake Ontario, just as the boat went down.

Harry Mogray said, "There was really no one near the boat, except for us. There was one other charter boat which was heading west, but there was not any other boats around."

Linda Mogray said, "And some of them had on their life vests and some of them did not get them on right. Everything happened so quickly."

It was a Godsend for the boat's owner and six passengers because the Coast Guard didn't arrive from it's station at Youngstown for several minutes.

It was a reminder that boats and their owners can get rusty in the off season.

United States Coast Guard CPO Dennis O'Connell said, "It's always a great idea to, one maybe take it to a mechanic; have him check out the boat for you; change all the fluids. Do everything you need to do to put the boat into service for the year."

The Coast Guard also points out life jackets can be your best life saver as more than two-thirds of boating-related fatalities involved people who were not wearing a floatation device.

While many of us consider our cell phone the best way to get help in an emergency, authorities say that is not necessarily true when you are boating.

Boating veterans recommend marine band VHF radios, which come in hand held and built-in models because phones are useless if you can't reach a cell tower.

Charles Obersheimer of Obersheimer's Sailor Supply said, "And with the built-in radio and a higher antenna, you can always reach the Coast Guard. As long as you can see the Coast Guard, it's tower, or another boat."

Ironically, the Coast Guard just wrapped up "National Safe Boating Week."

The Safe Boating Council's website