Posted on 05/27/2018 3:46:38 PM PDT by VRW Conspirator
Safe Boating Tips
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, such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
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.
Freepers are lousy boaters. That’s CAPTAIN Freeper to you.
This is why, Officer, I am unable to comply with the new Senator Hogg gun safety law that requires all gun owners in the nation to turn in their weapons. I lost all those guns in that tragic accident I just described!
Ain’t that many replies
Thank you for your concern, bless your heart.
Not that hard to do. GPS is fine but you don't need electronics for manual navigation.
I lost several of my prized firearms in a boating accident at Lake Powell a couple of years ago.
I can handle wheeled and some tracked, albeit many moons have passed since any heavy equipment.
A pilot license is on the wishlist.
I have 0 need or desire for a boat.
First and foremost, if you are new to boating or even old to boating, the twelve week Power Squadron class is essential. Being Great Lake boaters, I can not express how many times we were grateful we took the time. It covers navigation, charting, weather, safety, emergency measures, line management. It is invaluable.
And the first words from the guys at the Coast Guard Auxiliary class way back when, “Don’t hit ANYTHING”
I am a certified Marine Mechanic and own five boats. I’ve lived in Charlevoix, Michigan for over forty-one years and raced sailboats for twenty of them. I am pretty sure I can handle any situation on the water, thank you.
By the Way. Here in Charlevoix, We have a Town Motto. Here It is: Charlevoix; We are a Drinking Town with a Boating problem.
Most are lost arts to the chart plotter commandos.
Only true when we take are weapons cache out boating with us. 8>P
#3 Use common sense, stay away from large vessels.
I captained a very large crude carrier (VLCC) and a super container ship. I too made it a point, when navigating, to stay away from large vessels.
We're demonstrably terrible boaters due to our lousy safety record. A shockingly high percentage of us have suffered significant financial loss in boating accidents when our lawfully purchased and lovingly maintained firearms were lost in tragic mishaps on the water. Why, it was such a wrenching experience for me I still purchase ammo for my lost firearms - just because to stop purchasing it would be like finally admitting they're gone.
16 years old in the Gulf Stream in a 22’ open fisherman with no float plan, no radio, no life jackets, no flares but plenty of beer and bait. Multiple times.
It’s only by God’s Grace that I lived through my young, dumb and stupid years.
Rule #1 One hand for me,one hand for the boat
Rule #2 Invest in roller furling
Rule #3 Check the tides
Rule #4 Make sure the anchor isn’t dragging
Rule #5 Don’t drain the battery(s)
Rule #6 Stay the hell out of fog
Rule #7 Always bring extra warm clothing
Rule #8 Radio check and leave it on the right channel
Rule #9 Gas and oil
Rule #10 Remember what the Coast Guard will check for
Rule #11 All those other rules and remember as Captain Ron
said If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen
out there...boss
11. Don’t burp or fart when sitting at the Captains Table.
Save those activities for the Buffet.
“16. Know what red and green lights mean on approaching vessels in the dark.”
Port wine is red, and so is the port running light.
Most are lost arts to the chart plotter commandos.
—
until their electronics fail ... I’ve seen powered Tupperware boats run full tilt into beaches in heavy fog after their electronics fail. Suggest they revive the ‘art’ for their safety and their families’
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.