Tips For Staying Safe On A Boat
Boating is a great way to relax and enjoy beautiful weather with friends and family. However, the past-time can also be dangerous if you do not follow basic guidelines. Don’t ruin your boating trip with an unnecessary accident by following these tips for staying safe on a boat.
All passengers should wear life jackets at all times. Have a wide variety of sizes available to suit children and adults, and ensure that all jackets are properly fitted before leaving dock. All children under the age of 13 must have a life jacket on at all times. Consider requiring all adults to comply as well.
Avoid consuming alcohol on board. Drinking while commanding your boat can lead to disaster. Monitor the alcohol intake of passengers as well and consider banning all alcoholic drinks.
Take a boating safety class and establish rules on your vessel. Go over all rules with passengers before each outing.
Always check water conditions before leaving land. Look for warnings, wave conditions and possible storms on the radar. Continue to monitor weather conditions on the water by using your boat’s radio. Take all warnings seriously and do not hesitate to return to shore in the event of a storm warning.