Boat Safety Checklist. As long as you’re going in the water, the boat safety checklist applies to you. Even if you’re sitting in your boat not too far away from your boat dock, you still need to practice safety. Accidents can happen at any time, and if you’re not prepared, it could spell trouble and put in the middle of an extremely dangerous situation. Let’s all be safe when enjoying sitting in our boat on the lake. Here’s what you need:
1. Life Jackets for Safety
You need to take a life jacket for each person on the boat. If you’re a skier or a wake surfer, you need to wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Any child under the age of 13 also needs to wear a PFD on a boat. If an emergency occurs, ensure everyone on the boat puts on their life jacket. We recommend putting them on before boarding the boat. If you are taking your pet with you, get a life jacket for them too. Even though it’s not necessary, you can’t take a chance with family.
2. Floating Device for Rescues
Take a floating device with you as well. In the event someone falls from the boat or experience trouble swimming in the water, you can throw them a floatation device. You’ll find several types of floatation devices, such as a ring buoy or a cushion. You’ll find floating devices with a string connected to them. When you throw the floating device in the water and the person grabs it, you can pull them
3. Fire Extinguisher for Flames
Get a fire extinguisher for your boat. When you look for a fire extinguisher, you’ll come across various types of fire extinguishers, each with a different rating. For boats that are less than26 feet, get a B1 fire extinguisher. For boats that are less than 40 feet, get a B2 fire extinguishers and two B1 fire extinguishers. Learn how to operate it, so you can quickly distinguish the flames. All it requires pulling the pin, squeezing the handle, and aiming at the flames.
4. Device for Signaling
The type of visual signaling device you buy depends on the size of your boat. It also depends on your state. If your boat is less than 16 feet, get nighttime signals or flares. If your boat is over 16 feet, get visual signal devices for both daytime and nighttime use. You can get flares that emit orange and white smoke with light flares to notify other vessels of your you and your boat.
You can buy flares that launch into the sky. Get a strobe light to use at night and a flag to use in the morning. Most likely, the personal watercraft rules state that you aren’t allowed to operate your both between sunset and sunrise hence no need to buy a nighttime signaling device.
5. Sound Device for Signaling
In case of fog, a sound device will alert others of your presence. You can get fixed or portable whistles and horns. If you drive a large boat, have a bell with you too.
EZ Dock Texas wants you to be safe out there. We offer boat dock installation services in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Contact EZ Dock Texas at 800-654-8168for a quote.
