Posted on 05/26/2017 1:45:07 PM PDT by VRW Conspirator
Safe Boating Tips
No matter how much experience you have, its 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 boats handling, operations, and general boating safety. If the primary navigator is injured or incapacitated in any way, its 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 youre going and how long youre 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 arent 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 youre 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, theyll 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.
We’ve had our boat about 16 years. Still perfectly happy with it. I could live on it. Lol
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.
Doing the gimble bearing tomorrow on the mercruiser
The v-drive is complete and ready for fun.
Outboards are ready to go
Number 7 should always be rule for the skipper. However, if the passengers drink, stop any horseplay immediately.
And don’t take any guns! They have a habit of falling overboard.
And don’t take any guns! They have a habit of falling overboard.
Always wait until you are down off plane before making the first cast...
Thank GOD you warned me. Here I was, thinking of building my own 19' Barrelback from Ken Hankinson's plans. Disaster averted!
great article
ROFL!!!
I'll never see those guns and ammo again!
Now you tell me! Mine were watertight but dang it, they didn't float!
I had to learn the hard way. Twice.
This is at least my eighth time! When will I learn?!
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.
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