Regardless of your boating experience, it’s always a good idea to review the boating safety rules so that you can boat responsibly while enjoying your time on the water. Whether you are planning a day out on a boat with your friends or family, heading out on a yacht alone, or trying out a watercraft for the first time, safety should be the foremost concern on your mind. Listed below are some essential safety tips you should follow while boating.
Always Wear a Life Jacket:
Always make sure you and everyone on the board are wearing life jackets. Everyone must wear the right sized jacket, especially the kids. The children require a jacket that fits them appropriately and doesn’t allow their chin or ears to slip through. To make it sure, pick a child up by the shoulders of the life jacket he is wearing. If his or her chin or ears slip through, it may be big for the kid or the straps may be too loose. Modern life jackets are thin and compact, so there is no excuse for not wearing a life jacket when you are boating.
Prepare Ahead of Time:
It’s essential to take a few precautionary measures to keep your boating safe and legal. A boating license or boating safety certification is required to boat in Canada and the US. You can take aceboater practice test to pass your boating license exam successfully. You must also perform a pre-boarding boat safety check which includes checking for the full tank of gas, correct levels of engine oil, and transmission fluids, and a fully charged battery. Make sure to carry your bearing license. Moreover, you must also have other boat safety equipment in addition to personal floatation devices or life jackets such as operable boat lights, extra batteries for the lights, and a floating pouch containing maps, flares, a cell phone, and a first aid kit.
Don’t drink while Boating:
Boating is a recreational activity, and many people like to pop up a beer while behind the wheel of a boat. Drinking while boating is actually as dangerous as drunk driving and can result in fatalities and legal consequences. Boating under the influence (BUI) of alcohol or drugs is also illegal as driving under the influence (DUI). Moreover, the elements of marine environment like wind, sunlight, vibration, waves and spray can accelerate the effects of alcohol and your impairment level. The blood-alcohol level of 0.8 percent or more can impair the coordination, balance, reaction time, and judgment of the boat operator, which can result in serious injuries and death from a boat accident. Therefore, no one should drink alcohol while boating.
Check the Weather Forecast:
Always remember to check the local weather as well as the weather forecast before leaving the dock. Even if it’s nice out when you are about to sail, beware that the weather can change rapidly, so remember to check the weather forecast. Always keep an eye out for inclement weather once you set sail. If you notice dark skies, sudden wind shifts, choppy water or lightning, get off the water as soon as you can.
