Boating is always a fun year-round activity for family and friends. And what could be more exciting than having a boat all to yourselves? Mix it with a little swimming, fishing, or even water skiing, and you would be creating a lot of fun-filled, unforgettable memories.
But to ensure an enjoyable experience in the water, you must prioritize boating safety. Most boating accidents are preventable with just a few simple precautions that boaters tend to forget. To keep you and your riders away from accidents, check out these ten boating safety rules that every boater should know.
Boating Safety Tips
Get your boat checked
Before planning your boating trip, start by checking your boat (if you already have one). If it appears to be in good condition, try refueling it and then opening all the hatches and smelling for carbon monoxide fumes. When gas accumulates in and around your boat, it can knock you or your riders unconscious, so make it a point to watch out for the following:
- Canvas enclosures with poor ventilation
- Blocked exhaust outlets
- Nearby boats
- Other enclosed spaces
If you detect fumes, don’t start the engine. Engine idling, running at a slow speed, or refusing to start could all be signs of engine problems.
You can ask for help from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadrons, as they offer free Vessel Safety Checks for free. All you need is to do is fill out this form. Meanwhile, learn more about how you can protect your boat online or with Nationwide boat insurance.
Check weather forecasts
Warm and sunny days are obviously the ideal weather for boating, but even beautiful weather can be unpredictable. Check forecasts beforehand and look out for warnings of gusty winds and cool water temperatures. You may not have to cancel the trip, but you’ll need to at least be prepared in case you or your passengers get wet.
Bring safety gear
Speaking of being prepared, you’ll need to have a boat safety kit for you and your passengers. Even if you’re riding a covered yacht on calm waves, nobody can predict an emergency, so it’s always best to be prepared for any situation. Here are a few important items you’ll need to keep on board:
Life Jacket
Every rider on a boat should have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest or jacket assigned to him or her. Aside from keeping them afloat in case they fall into the water, many personal flotation devices are designed to turn them face up to help prevent hypothermia.
For even better results, have each rider bring a life jacket that’s suitable for their height, weight, and water activity. This is especially important when choosing a life jacket for kids. Also, make sure that they are wearing life jackets as soon as they board the boat.
First Aid Kit
It goes without saying that you should have a first aid kit, in case of an accident or medical emergency. It should be properly equipped with basic items to cover the number of riders you’ll have onboard and you should also be knowledgeable on how to use it.
It helps to go for a kit that’s specified for boat use, like the Adventure Medical Kits – Marine 300 ($49.99). Materials are organized and labeled into injury-specific pockets, plus they’re enough to cover up to six passengers.
Flashlight
A flashlight will be of great use when you decide to boat after dark or if you end up getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. It will have to be water resistant and have long-lasting power like the VSSL Mini Cache LED Flashlight ($64.90), which also doubles as a small nearly indestructible container for a few of your emergency supplies.
Whistle
A whistle is needed whenever you expect to be in the water. A waterproof and pea-less one like the Fox 40 Micro Marine Whistle with Breakaway Lanyard ($5.95) ensures that it will always be working after submersion and will not corrode due to saltwater use.
Duct Tape
Duct tape is great for covering holes on hard or inflatable boats to prevent leaks. They are purely temporary but will at least prevent the insides of your boat from getting even wetter.
Bucket
When the boat leaks or water splashes into it, a trusty molded plastic bucket can help you scoop it out. It would be better if your bucket didn’t have a metal handle that pierces through it so it won’t leak or risk any breakage.
Ropes
Having ropes will help you secure your boat to the dock and tie down loose items when boating on moderate waves or under extreme weather. It can also be used to pull passengers back into the boat in case they fall overboard.
Signal Mirror
One should never boat without visual distress signals or at least a signal mirror. This unassuming piece of reflective equipment is widely used to signal for help from the shore or a nearby aircraft. But for best results, look for an actual boat signal mirror that’s designed to be efficient and highly reflective.
Rain Ponchos
Rain ponchos are a must for open boats in order to protect passengers from the rain and splashing water. You can also use them (or even just garbage bags) to protect onboard items from getting wet.
Fire Extinguisher
Being on the water doesn’t eliminate the risk of having an onboard fire. Make sure you have one or more fire extinguishers (depending on the size of your boat) and that all passengers know where they are and how to use them.
Don’t overload the boat
Every boat has a capacity restriction. It’s important that you follow it and consider even the weight of your equipment (especially your heavy scuba tanks, coolers, and tackle boxes) to make sure that you don’t end up unbalancing your boat.
Follow proper docking procedures
When approaching the dock, make sure to reduce your speed and that your boat bumpers are out to prevent damage to your boat. If the wind or waves are pushing you forward, stop about two feet away from the dock and let them push you in. And if the wind is blowing you away, approach the dock at a slightly slanted position (about 20 to 30 degrees) to compensate for the wind. Don’t forget to secure your boat with lines before stepping out.
Observe proper anchoring procedures
Assuming that you already have the right anchor for your boat, you’ll need to use it properly in order to keep the wind and tide from dragging your boat. You can do this by dropping two anchors in a V-formation in front of the craft or, for added stability, about 20 to 30 feet deeper into the water. It would help to learn more about anchoring solutions so that you can prepare for different situations.
Undock safely
If you’re the owner of the boat or are going to be sailing it yourself, it’s your responsibility to know about safe and proper undocking. This involves being aware of docking rules, as well as the wind direction and nearby traffic, before leaving the dock. Quick research about safe boat undocking will teach you how to cast off under various situations.
Take a safety course
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, about 70% of boating accidents are caused by operator errors—not because of the weather or other external factors. The best way to reduce the risk of accidents from happening is to take a boating safety course. It can be online or state-specific classes offered by the BoatUS Foundation and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Stay alert
It’s easy to be distracted by the beauty of the outdoors, but you’ll need to remain alert at all times while onboard. Watch out for warnings on your ship-to-shore radio (if you have one) and be prepared for any sudden emergencies. Your responsiveness could mean the difference between danger and safety for you and your passengers.
Use Common Sense
Even with all your learnings from your boat safety course and knowledge about safe docking and undocking procedures, you’ll still need to use common sense while in the water. You don’t need any course to teach you certain safe boating rules like the need to operate at a safe speed, avoid consuming alcohol while operating a boat, informing your riders about general safety rules before undocking, and never operating a boat without any sailing education and a boating license.
