Boating is a wonderful and very popular activity, as it instils a sense of freedom and relaxation in people when they are out on the water. As enjoyable as this activity is, boaters must always keep the safety of themselves and their passengers at the forefront of their minds. There are a few guidelines to follow to ensure that everybody on the boat remains safe and is able to enjoy themselves.

Boating Safety Equipment

Before even setting foot on the boat, you must see to it that both yourself and all your passengers are provided with life jackets. Each and every passenger must be wearing a securely fitted life jacket whether they are strong swimmers or not. In addition, as there is no protection from the sun when out on the water, everybody should be wearing sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat to prevent sunburn and sunstroke.

Be Prepared

Before setting sail in any type of vessel, it is important to ensure that there are necessities on board such as fresh water and a first aid kit. You might not be planning to sail very far, but you should be prepared for any eventuality. For this reason it would also be advisable to have a flare gun on board, a fire extinguisher, and if possible, a working marine radio. Another item that boaters should have is some type of GPS boat navigation system. The Marine GPS unit can provide you with directional informational, water depth, tides, and sunrise/sunset times.

The Condition Of The Boat

Much in the same way as a car should be checked out before a journey, a boat must also be examined to make sure that it is fit to sail and be on the water. Depending on the type of vessel, you will need to check that it has enough fuel or that its sails are in good working order. Ensure that there are no tripping hazards on deck. You must also check the bilge pump to make sure that it is pumping the bilge water effectively, as a defective bilge pump could result in a sinking boat.

Know Your Capacity and Limitations

Overloading your boat’s capacity by even one person could result in it sinking. You must know the recommended capacity for your vessel, and never exceed it. Also, while it may not be against the law for people to drink alcohol on board a boat, it is not advised. Alcohol will impair the senses, increasing the chances of delayed response to any item needing immediate action. Obviously, it is illegal for anybody operating a boat to drink alcohol at all.

Know The Area

You should have a good plan of where you want to travel to and any obstacles which might be in your way. It is a good idea to carry a few different sailing maps of the surrounding area, as well as a compass. Also, it goes without saying that the weather forecast must be checked before setting out as well. This is another use for a Marine GPS system, which can be installed on the boat, or be portable GPS navigator.

The safety tips for boating listed here are just a few examples of how to take caution when boating. They are not difficult to follow, and will in no way prevent anybody from enjoying their boating experience. In fact, the opposite is true, since by ensuring that everybody on board a boat is safe and secure, your guests will be much more likely to relax and enjoy being on the water.

About the Author

Jane Warren is a boater and water sport enthusiast. Because of her love for boating and water activities, Jane publishes a website with reviews of water towable tubes, and other high quality boating and water sports equipment. She also blogs on various aspects of water sports, including safety tips for boating and other water sports.