Be Safe on Your Boat trip This Summer

If you’re planning a boating trip, be sure to review the following safe boating tips with your passengers before leaving the dock:

• Insist that everyone wear a life preserver! Too many boaters and passengers stash their life jackets under their seat or carry them in their lap, not realizing that in an emergency situation, they may not be able to get them on or get to them quickly enough. Don’t throw caution to the wind. Put the jacket on, buckle up, and be safe!
• Leave alcoholic beverages ashore. Drinking and boating are a lethal combination. There are laws against drinking and driving an automobile; boating is no different. Leave the alcohol on shore and enjoy it after a fun day on the water.
• Nominate a co-captain for your voyage. This person should know the boat and its operation and be in possession of a boating license.Be sure to go over your itinerary and all features and functions of the boat with this person so that if anything happens to you,the captain, your co-captain will be able to navigate the boat to safety.
• Be aware of the weather forecast. For your safety, and the safety of your passengers, keep an eye on the weather and avoid going out on the water in poor conditions. While out in the open water, watch the skies and note any changes in the wind strength that might indicate an approaching storm. When in doubt, abandon your boating plans for the day and seek shelter. Never try to outrun or outlast bad weather.
• Perform a check of your safety equipment. Be sure that all required items are on board and working properly before you leave the dock! Check for the appropriate number of flotation devices. Ensure that gas tanks are full and all lights and navigational devices are functioning. You can manage all this easily with Boat Management App.
• Leave a trip itinerary with someone before you begin your boating adventure. There should be someone ashore—family, friend, or otherwise—who knows what time you left the dock, the names of everyone aboard the boat, where you are heading, and your time of return. If no one has this information, chances are slim that anyone will comes looking for you if you experience an emergency. You don’t want to be on your own at the mercy of the environment miles away from shore.
• Always be aware of your surroundings. Know where there may be potential hazards like rocks or stumps. Reference marine charts to identify potential water hazards and safe passage areas. Steer clear of areas you are not familiar with. Stick to the open water where there will be less chance of hitting something. Remember that the object of boating is not to be a daredevil, it is to have an enjoyable time and return safely to shore afterward.
• Take a class to get your boating license. Once you finish the course and pass the exam, you will be assured that you and all future passengers will be safe while boating with you.