from here
Posted on 05/22/2015 1:28:45 PM PDT by VRW Conspirator
No matter how much experience you have, it’s always a good idea for everyone to review boating safety rules before departures. Below you will find 10 basic boating safety tips to help you stay safe:
1.Be Weather-Wise
Always check local weather conditions before departure; TV and radio forecasts can be a good source of information. If you notice darkening clouds, volatile and rough changing winds or sudden drops in temperature, play it safe by getting off the water.
2.Follow a Pre-Departure Checklist
Proper boating safety includes being prepared for any possibility on the water. Following a pre-departure checklist is the best way to make sure no boating safety rules or precautions have been overlooked or forgotten.
3.Use Common Sense
One of the most important parts of boating safety is to use your common sense. This means operating at a safe speed at all times (especially in crowded areas), staying alert at all times and steering clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. Also, be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids, all of which have been placed there to ensure your own safety.
4.Designate an Assistant Skipper
Make sure more than one person on board is familiar with all aspects of your boat’s handling, operations, and general boating safety. If the primary navigator is injured or incapacitated in any way, it’s important to make sure someone else can follow the proper boating safety rules to get everyone else back to shore.
5.Develop a Float Plan
Whether you choose to inform a family member or staff at your local marina, always be sure to let someone else know your float plan. This should include where you’re going and how long you’re going to be gone.
A float plan can include the following information: name, address, and phone number of trip leader name and phone number of all passengers boat type and registration information trip itinerary types of communication and signal equipment onboard
6.Make Proper Use of Lifejackets
Did you know that the majority of drowning victims are the result of boaters not wearing their lifejackets? Make sure that your family and friends aren’t part of this statistic by assigning and fitting each member of your onboard team with a life jacket prior to departure. Wear it!
7.Avoid Alcohol
Practice boating safety at all times by saving the alcohol for later. The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved and studies have shown that the effects of alcohol are exacerbated by sun and wind.
8.Learn to Swim
If you’re going to be in and around the water, proper boating safety includes knowing how to swim. Local organizations, such as the American Red Cross and others, offer training for all ages and abilities. Check to see what classes are offered in your area.
9.Take a Boating Course Beginning boaters and experienced experts alike need to be familiar with the boating safety rules of operation. Boater education requirements vary by state; however, some require validated completion of at least one boating safety course. Regardless of your individual state's requirements, it's always important to be educated and prepared for every circumstance that might arise. You can learn boating safety rules by taking a local community course or online course to help educate yourself.
10.Consider a Free Vessel Safety Check Take advantage of a free vessel safety check from the US Coast Guard. They offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. Free of charge, they’ll provide a specialist to check out your boat and make helpful boating safety tips and recommendations. They also offer virtual online safety checks as well.
LOL!!
stupidity like that knows no age or political persuasion.
Somebody must think FReepers are REALLY bad boaters based on all the “boating accidents” and the associated loss of valuables that have been reported.
This should keep more of our assets safe.
I needed this two years ago as my bass boat and firearms are all at the bottom of Seed Lake. I no longer drink, shoot and fish at the same time.
What are you talking about “no safety vests”?
They have plenty of approved flotation devices.
It's OK, looks like they're wearing their floaties.
Great minds...
Yours is slightly faster.
Too late for me. I already lost my arsenal. Maybe some lucky diver will find what's left of it.
Don’t bring ANY of your guns on board the damn boat.
Always make sure the Captain of the boat is sober and has a license. Pontoons and houseboats , be careful!
Personally, never ride anything below 90K tons these days.
And Be Safe!!
Looks like the chicks got built in flotation devices.. Or big mosquito bites
Yeah! You’re supposed to back the truck into the water!
That is hysterical
7. Avoid alcohol is #1. Alcohol is the #1 correlation with boating and water tragedies. Alcohol is the #1 correlation with tragedies during hunting, fishing, recreational activities and RV off the water. Alcohol is the #1 correlation with tragedies in the home and with domestic violence.
People do stupid things when they’ve had a drink..even when not totally drunk. We have a choice whether to be stupid or not.
7. Avoid alcohol is #1. Alcohol is the #1 correlation with boating and water tragedies. Alcohol is the #1 correlation with tragedies during hunting, fishing, recreational activities and RV off the water. Alcohol is the #1 correlation with tragedies in the home and with domestic violence.
People do stupid things when they’ve had a drink..even when not totally drunk. We have a choice whether to be stupid or not.
THAT'S what I did wrong! If I ever get any more guns, I'll be sure to heed that advice.
YUP! More folks will die for that reason alone afloat.. And a drunk captain.
Be Safe!!
So you gave up shooting and fishing?
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