Posted on 05/22/2015 1:28:45 PM PDT by VRW Conspirator
No matter how much experience you have, it’s always a good idea for everyone to review boating safety rules before departures. Below you will find 10 basic boating safety tips to help you stay safe:
1.Be Weather-Wise
Always check local weather conditions before departure; TV and radio forecasts can be a good source of information. If you notice darkening clouds, volatile and rough changing winds or sudden drops in temperature, play it safe by getting off the water.
2.Follow a Pre-Departure Checklist
Proper boating safety includes being prepared for any possibility on the water. Following a pre-departure checklist is the best way to make sure no boating safety rules or precautions have been overlooked or forgotten.
3.Use Common Sense
One of the most important parts of boating safety is to use your common sense. This means operating at a safe speed at all times (especially in crowded areas), staying alert at all times and steering clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. Also, be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids, all of which have been placed there to ensure your own safety.
4.Designate an Assistant Skipper
Make sure more than one person on board is familiar with all aspects of your boat’s handling, operations, and general boating safety. If the primary navigator is injured or incapacitated in any way, it’s important to make sure someone else can follow the proper boating safety rules to get everyone else back to shore.
5.Develop a Float Plan
Whether you choose to inform a family member or staff at your local marina, always be sure to let someone else know your float plan. This should include where you’re going and how long you’re going to be gone.
A float plan can include the following information: name, address, and phone number of trip leader name and phone number of all passengers boat type and registration information trip itinerary types of communication and signal equipment onboard
6.Make Proper Use of Lifejackets
Did you know that the majority of drowning victims are the result of boaters not wearing their lifejackets? Make sure that your family and friends aren’t part of this statistic by assigning and fitting each member of your onboard team with a life jacket prior to departure. Wear it!
7.Avoid Alcohol
Practice boating safety at all times by saving the alcohol for later. The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved and studies have shown that the effects of alcohol are exacerbated by sun and wind.
8.Learn to Swim
If you’re going to be in and around the water, proper boating safety includes knowing how to swim. Local organizations, such as the American Red Cross and others, offer training for all ages and abilities. Check to see what classes are offered in your area.
9.Take a Boating Course Beginning boaters and experienced experts alike need to be familiar with the boating safety rules of operation. Boater education requirements vary by state; however, some require validated completion of at least one boating safety course. Regardless of your individual state's requirements, it's always important to be educated and prepared for every circumstance that might arise. You can learn boating safety rules by taking a local community course or online course to help educate yourself.
10.Consider a Free Vessel Safety Check Take advantage of a free vessel safety check from the US Coast Guard. They offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. Free of charge, they’ll provide a specialist to check out your boat and make helpful boating safety tips and recommendations. They also offer virtual online safety checks as well.
Let the kid drive the boat so you can drink.
Where’s #11 about securing your firearms so they don’t end up at the bottom of the lake?
My rule: Always get the most luxurious outside cabin you can afford.
When I attended the Hunter Safety Instructors Academy, I was surprised to learn that they were losing more hunters to drowning than to firearms accidents. That was in Mississippi.
Never keep your entire firearms collection on boats.
Aye, aye, captain!
11. Don’t forget the drain plug.
Ok just reserved ‘Stargazer’, 22-ft sloop for sailing Sunday afternoon in beautiful Pensacola Bay! Have a wonderful holiday weekend freepers, and save a thought for the brave men who gave their lives to keep us free.
Seriously. That’s disturbing.
It’s a joke album someone photoshopped up.
An ex-PHB tv tech manager and other PHBs took his boat to the lake one time. None of the whiz kids, noticed the drain plug was removed until half of it was underwater. That includes the owner who pulled it at some point earlier in the week.
A few of us would have loved it to sink.
Do not attempt to save fuel by piggy-backing.
Man that pic is funny. I could easily see some young smart aleck know-it-all liberal doing that...lol
No safety vests, brothers. That's what I'm talking about.
It is exceptionally important that when going boating to secure all your firearms and ammunition, so that in case the boat tips, even if it does not capsize, you do not lose your firearms and ammunition, where it would be difficult or impossible for the government to locate so it could be confiscated.
Yes, of course, lol. It’s still disturbing!
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