Some Key Boat Safety Tips

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There are more than five thousand boating accidents in the United States every year.  The best way to significantly reduce these accidents is if everyone associated with the boating experience learns and practices sound boat safety. 

A key point is this:  when safe boating precautions are taken, not only can boating be an enjoyable activity for people of all ages, but most boating accidents can be prevented.

Stated differently, since more than 70 percent of all fatal boating accidents result from capsizing and from people falling overboard, it is therefore important to observe safe movement guidelines while onboard. 

One way to do this is to know and observe the load capacity of your boat and avoid overloading or unbalanced loads.  Another way to operate in a safe manner is to insist that those who are onboard stay low when moving on the boat.  And finally, passengers need to remain cognizant of what is going on while they are onboard in order to reduce the risks of falling overboard. 

Encourage everyone onboard to be educated and be aware.  Careless operation, inexperience, excessive speed, and operator inattention, have been documented as the main causes of reported boat accidents.  It is therefore important for everyone onboard to pay attention to what is going on and to follow sound boat safety at all times.

A List of Fundamental Safety Tips For All Boaters 

In light of these guidelines, the following represents basic safety tips that should be taught to and followed by all who will be boating.

• Always wear your personal flotation device or lifejacket that is the correct size for your weight and that is Department of Transportation approved.
  
  
• Take a boating course with an authorized dealer or experienced teacher.
  
  
• Make sure everyone on your boat stays sober.

• Get your boat checked by a certified boat mechanic or by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
  
  
• Keep a watchful eye in order to avoid collisions with other boats, watercraft, swimmers, skiers, or with foreign objects floating or partially submerged in the water.
  
  
• Always operate the boat at a safe speed and in a responsible manner.
  
  
• Be on the lookout for bad weather and seek shelter when inclement weather approaches.
  
  
• Obey all of the local, state, and federal boating laws and ordinances.
  
  
• If your boat capsizes, remember to hold onto it or at least stay as close to the boat as possible.
  
  
• With a craft that is 5.5 meters long or shorter, always remember to have a sounding device, personal floatation devices for everyone aboard, oars, a bailer, and a fire extinguisher.
  
  
• Wear the correct gear.  This not only means your personal floatation device or lifejacket, but also sunscreen, sunglasses, and proper clothing. Paddles or oars, flares, and whistles or other sounding devices, visual distress signals, and a backfire flame arrester are also important items to include as appropriate boating gear.
  
  
• drive with proper lights and with extreme caution after dark.
  
  
• Remember the following about boating with children:  children must be at least 16 years old in order to operate jet skies.  Children under 12 years old must be supervised by an adult when the child operates a boat with a motor that has more than 10 horsepower.  Children 12 to 15 years old must be supervised by an adult when the child operates a boat with motor that has more than 40 horsepower.
  
  
• Never stand up in a small powerboat, canoe, or any other small watercraft.
  
  
• Don’t overload the boat beyond its capacity or load restrictions.  This includes not only the number and weight of the people onboard, but also the weight of the gear.  Following these guidelines will help you avoid capsizing the craft.
  
  
• Be courteous of others who are involved in water activities and follow all local, state, and federal boating rules and regulations. 
  
  
• Be on the lookout for other boaters, skiers, and swimmers and always have an onboard observer for water skiers.
  
  
• Keep a safe distance from other boats and watercraft.
  
  
• Have an experienced boater or certified trainer show you basic boating techniques such as how to steer, slow down, speed up, and dock.
  
  
• Make sure your boat has all the recommended and required and safety equipment and gear on board.
  
  
• Making a checklist of required equipment and gear will help you quickly go over all of the items on the list before each outing so that you are sure to have everything you will need.
  
  
• Before any boating outing, the boat engine, balance, equipment, and fuel supply should be thoroughly inspected.
  
  
• Look at all of the electrical components for corrosion or faulty connections.
  
  
• Physically inspect all of the lines and belts for leaks and for excessive wear.
  
  
• Make sure that everyone onboard has a personal flotation device or lifejacket that is the correct size for their weight and that is Department of Transport approved.
  
  
• After refueling, always let the fuel system ventilate before starting the engine.
  
  
• Before an outing, check the local weather forecast and take a portable radio onboard so that you can check the weather after you start your outing.
  
  
• Remember to check the water conditions of your destination before you disembark.
  
  
• A boat should always have the following extra safety gear onboard:  a map, flares, matches, flashlights, batteries, sunscreen, and a first aid kit.  Additionally, all of these items should be sealed in a watertight container.
  
  
• Learn distress signals. In addition to having the proper equipment and safety gear it is important to know how and when to use different distress signals.

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