Boating is a fun activity that allows you to spend your weekend on the water, tanning in the sunlight, or counting stars at night while lying on the deck.
Summer is about to arrive, and what could be more relaxing than feeling the cool spray of water on your face? Don’t forget fishing, water skiing, and tubing, which you can enjoy with friends and family.
Whether you are the captain or a passenger, you need to make sure that you take all boating safety measures. Following are six dos and don’ts of boating that will help you stay vigilant onboard:
Dos
Do Search on Boating Rules and Regulations Before Going Onboard
There are a few necessary precautions you need to take before boating. First of all, get familiar with the boating laws. Take a boating safety course to learn the basics of boating. Always make a float plan and email it to your friend to call for help in case you don’t come back from your journey.
Do Perform Pre-Boarding Safety Checks
Create a checklist to ensure that you have done all the safety checks before going out on the water. These should include:
- Check if your gas tank is full
- Check the transmission fluid levels and if the battery is fully charged
- After refueling, open the hatch to find out if you can smell any fumes. Do not start the engine if you do
- Check if you have packed the right boating safety equipment, such as operable lights, fire extinguishers, extra batteries, solar chargers, maps, and compass.
Do Watch for Any Changes in Weather
The local weather news is your best friend when you plan to go boating. Weather changes rapidly, so make sure that it’s nice out there. Bring a radio with you to signal the coast guard if you get into trouble. If you see sudden wind shifts, lightning, choppy water, or dark skies, turn back your boat immediately.
Don’ts
Don’t Drink and Boat
You would never drink and drive, would you? The same consequences apply to a boat. So, refrain from popping open a bottle of beer while turning the wheel. It is illegal to operate a boat in all 50 states when drinking alcohol. Boating under the influence is more dangerous than driving drunk because the waves, engine noise, vibration, spray, and sun can increase disorientation caused by alcohol and delay reaction time.
Don’t Panic When Someone Goes Overboard
In case the boat capsizes, turn off the propellers and motor immediately. Remain calm and dive into the water wearing a life jacket. Make sure it is safe to approach the person and then help them in any way you can.
Don’t Forget to Lift the Ladder
As the boat captain, you have to ensure that the ladder has been removed after the last person climbs onboard. Do not let children sit near the propellers because if they accidentally fall in the water, they might get caught in the blades.
Boating requires you to take more safety precautions than driving. Stay tuned to read more dos and don’ts of boating in our next blog. In the meantime, visit the website EZ-Dock for floating docks. The company offers quality boat docks for residential and commercial use. For more details, call 833-995-2219.