Posted on 05/27/2019 5:58:02 AM PDT by 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.
And yes, this is a re-post because it needs to be repeated.
11. Always bring your entire gun collection onto your boat before getting underway.
“3.Use Common Sense”
Not that common to load an 8 foot boat with 100 guns but it happens usually with a tragic lose.
When I looked at statistics of major insurance company data bases (pre texting while ignoring the real world)
Alcohol was the #1 cohort with tragedies involving
boats
swimming
RV
skiing
vehicles
domestic violence
falls and accidents in the home
petty crime. Far more stupid hold ups by drunks than drugs.
I love that picture, a couple salt of the earth deplorables, right there.
Don't forget the Beer. Floating Beer Cans make great targets and the ricochet's off the water sound really cool.
Hahaha...I thought it was going to have included “Secure your firearms in waterproof, floating containers” given how many boating accidents we appear to have!
You left off "proposing to a girl."
Very good free boater safety course
https://www.boatus.org/maryland/
Way too many nitwits on the water
After reading that list, boating doesn’t seem like it’s much fun.
11. Be sure to bring all of your firearms in case the boat should capsize.
I sold my boat two weeks ago. The 2nd happiest day of my life. Well, maybe one of the top ten...
The left loves these kinds of lists. Because fun is not an option......
Life is short, boats are cool.
Glad you sold yours, sorry it didn't work out.......
Indeed it does, especially at the beginning of the boating season where in many areas it can be a very dangerous time on the water. Same with major holidays that seem to bring out all the reckless idiots.
To this list I would add be extremely careful about being out on the water after dark. Visibility is a real challenge and remember, intoxicated boaters are coming back from dock bars.
Stay safe out there.
Boating can be a lot of fun and provide some wonderful memories.
But admittedly it does require some preparation, a healthy does of caution, and lots of money.
One of the biggest problems with boating today is an abundance of very fast vessels of all sizes, many of which are driven by inconsiderate and distracted boaters. You have to be thinking ahead all the time.
I have a 1977 Hobie Cat ‘16
It is 16 feet long with a 28’ mast. Hell yeah!
A wrestling match to sail.
...and so fast.
Torch lake is the best.
Your only goal is to take it to the edge and not flip ...but $hit happens.
One pontoon humming thru the water bump
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