Safe Boating Tips (FReepers are Lousy Boaters)

Discover Boating ^ | Non Given | Not Attributed

[VRW Conspirator]

Safe Boating Tips

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, such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

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.

[sheana]

We’ve had our boat about 16 years. Still perfectly happy with it. I could live on it. Lol

[mass55th]

"And not a FReeper...I gather."

I doubt it. I retired in 2003, and haven't seen him since that time. I'm sure he learned his lesson, although it cost him dearly.

[Ouderkirk]

Doing the gimble bearing tomorrow on the mercruiser

The v-drive is complete and ready for fun.

Outboards are ready to go

[A Navy Vet]

Number 4 is not always possible. I made sure there was a laminated list in plain view with emergency numbers for phones and frequencies for the radio. Good idea to include a local towing service in those numbers. My 26 foot cruiser crapped out on me just before the channel entrance to the harbor. Didn't have an anchor yet, so called the towing service and towed us back to the slip. If not for that, may have wound up on breakwater rocks before Harbor Police could get to our location.

Number 7 should always be rule for the skipper. However, if the passengers drink, stop any horseplay immediately.

[Vic S]

And don’t take any guns! They have a habit of falling overboard.

[Vic S]

And don’t take any guns! They have a habit of falling overboard.

[onona]

Uberboater!

Thread winner

[SuperLuminal]

Always wait until you are down off plane before making the first cast...

[Charles Martel]

(FReepers are Lousy Boaters)

Thank GOD you warned me. Here I was, thinking of building my own 19' Barrelback from Ken Hankinson's plans. Disaster averted!

[Daffynition]

We always lived on the water [ocean & lake], and my three boys learned to swim, early on. Of course, having friends *over* was a constant concern. Every time they had mates over, I made them all do *tippy* tests; to experience what it was like to fall out of a canoe, kayak, run-a-bout; and what to do to save yourself. That included righting the vessel, to make it to shore. PFDs were a must, a ironclad rule.

[Daffynition]

I think a Sea-Tow membership is a must for marine/ocean going vessels.

[Muntic0re]

great article

[P.O.E.]

ROFL!!!

[usconservative]

I went fishing this morning and took all my guns and ammo with me for a nice ride and wouldn't you know it! Boat accidentally sprung a leak and sank right to the bottom of the lake!

I'll never see those guns and ammo again!

[usconservative]

Always store firearms and ammo in watertight floating containers. Not doing so can lead to irreplaceable financial loss.

Now you tell me! Mine were watertight but dang it, they didn't float!

[fella]

I had to learn the hard way. Twice.

[usconservative]

This is at least my eighth time! When will I learn?!

[Muntic0re]

I agree that alcohol is a bad idea when you are going to sail. I recently had a great sailing trip in New Zealand. There are many scenic views and rivers. I was trying my new boat on the water, got it on sale on http://www.macboats.co.nz/category/fishing-boats/ . It was one of the best trips in my life.