Operator Rules for Boating Safety

When you get that new boat and trailer, you can’t wait to jump in the truck and tow it to the lake or shore. You worked hard to be able to afford this luxury, and the kids are excited about their first outing. The weather looks perfect for a day of cruising and enjoyment, so you are ready to throw caution to the wind and just go.

Sounds like a real plan, right?

Let’s hold on there a minute. If you are going to be a good captain, you will quell those hasty feelings and understand that even though boating is intended to be fun, it requires a cool head and proper planning for every trip you make.

Safety First

The first thought you should always have is the safety of everyone on your boat. You have to plan for all the things that could possibly go wrong when you are out in a big body of water.

If your boat did not come with all the extra accessories the dealer was trying to sell you, such as life vests, fire extinguishers, emergency supplies, and so forth, then you’re going to have to get them on your own. The laws about required equipment vary some from state to state, and country to country, but you should have on board what is necessary for safe boating operation.

You also should know that there are many unnecessary deaths each year due to boating accidents. There aren’t as many as with automobiles on the highways, but considering the vast difference in the number of automobiles compared to boats, there are too many. Nationally, the four main causes of these deaths can be attributable to the captain, or the person in charge. The U.S. Coast Guard provides boating classes to boat operators of all levels. Click here to find a location near you.

Four Rules for Operator

1. The first cause is operator inexperience. Even if you passed an examination to get your boating license, the first time you get on the water, things will be new to you. Take it slow and exercise caution.

The most obvious difference between piloting a boat and driving a car is how you stop and start. On the water, you can’t just decide to stop. You have to plan stops and even then you won’t always time them right. When you start to move, you have to be sure that everyone is on board and sitting down, all loose items are secured, and the anchor is up, not stuck to the bottom of the lake.

2. The second reason for boating deaths is operator’s lack of attention. This is often because everyone is having a good time, and they forget there are serious considerations that go along with the fun.

A very common cause of injury or death is that the person piloting the boat is not watching skiers or riders on towables, such as those made by Kwik Tek Airhead. With the roar of the engine in the background, a person is not going to hear what is happening behind the boat. It is good to have someone in the boat that can watch and keep the captain informed.

Some states require a rear view mirror so the pilot can see the skiers, but that is not a standard, and even if it was, there is no guarantee that the pilot will always be able to see everything that is happening behind the boat. Many times the pilot has to focus on what is happening in front.

When a pilot of an airplane gets ready to hit the switch for the prop to turn, he yells, “Clear!” to make sure no one is near and hidden from his vision. It is a shame that they don’t teach this in the boating manual because it is just as important for the pilot to know that no one or any object is around the propeller when he starts the boat.

3. Operator recklessness is the third cause of serious accidents on the water. This one has no excuse for taking place. Anyone who is responsible for the lives of other people should know not to take unnecessary risks. Having fun is one thing; recklessness that can cause severe injury is another thing altogether.

4. Speeding is the fourth cause attributable to the operator of the boat. If you are new to boating, you might view 25 miles per hour as relatively slow. On the water, that is a fast clip. Speedboats can go in excess of 30 miles per hour and, depending on the location at the time, that is too fast to be safe.

If that new boat is equipped with what it needs, go ahead and take the group to the lake, but while you are there, you must concentrate on keeping everyone safe. Safety is the responsibility of the person who is called “captain.”

About the Author

Jane Warren is a water sports enthusiast who runs the website www.towabletubesdirect.com. Her website is a valuable resource to providing information about different water sports brands and their products like towable rafts and tubes, water skis, water trampolines, kayaks, wakeboards, and related accessories. TowableTubesDirect.com provides reviews and pricing of the best sellers, like the Airhead big slice, which makes it easy for people to find what they are looking for.

Jane lives in Atlanta with her husband, Jim. She frequently enjoys boating, rafting, swimming, scuba diving and other water sport activities, and spends several months a year in Grand Cayman. By spending so much time around the water, she understands the importance of being aware of problems that can occur when people are engaged in water sport activities. Her own family has experienced the loss of a family member due to drowning, so it is important to her that people are proactive and prepared for properly enjoying their time outside in and on the water.