A Touch on Boating Safety

Common Boating Safety Rules

Reckless behavior and ignorance for following boat safety rules are the culprits of recreational boating accidents and fatalities.

Fun in the sun on the water makes for a memorable day. Leaving common sense on the dock will usually lead to a problem. Protect your life and the lives of fellow boaters by following the boating safety rules set forth by the U.S. Coast Guard.

An alarming statistic such as this one should make all boaters think twice about their actions on the water. In 2011, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that a sickening 79% of drowning’s were because the victim was not wearing a lifejacket, which leads us to boat safety rule number one. 

• 1.      All person’s on the boat need to wear a lifejacket. All children under 13 years old are required by law to wear a flotation device.
• 2.      Avoid alcohol. Boating under the influence (BUI) carries strict penalties such as loss of driver’s license and jail time. A boat’s motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray can naturally accelerate a drinker's impairment.
• 3.      Proceed at a safe speed. When nearing another boat or swimmers, reduce speed to prevent collision. Bring the boat to a stop when approaching a crowded area to assess accessibility.
• 4.      Be watchful of branches or other fallen objects. It’s a good idea to have someone else watch the water while you’re driving. Two sets of eyes are always better than one.
• 5.       Enroll in a boater’s safety course to teach you the basics of how your boat functions and also what safety rules to follow.

It’s essential that all boaters prepare and check off a must-have list when planning a day on the water. Common needed items include:

• Lifejackets
• Navigation lights
• Fire extinguishers
• First-aid kit
• Water
• Visual distress signals
• Anchor and line

For a complete list, visit http://www.boatingsafety.com/boats/cgchecklist.asp.

Ensure your day on the water starts and ends without problems. Learn what to do and what not to do today.

Source- http://www.boatingsafety.com/boats/cgchecklist.asp, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/safety/safety_tips/ and http://www.uscgboating.org/default.aspx).