Boating can be a rather fulfilling hobby. There’s nothing that beats watching the sun rise or set from in a boat in the middle of a lake. There’s nothing quite like looking out on blue sea waters and knowing that there’s an entirely other world down there. It’s not short on thrill and excitement, but before you hop on your boat to sail off into the high waters, remember that it’s important to check whether your vessel is indeed cut out for it.

Studies show that up to 700 Americans die every year due to boating accidents. If you want to avoid a similar fate, never take safety checks for granted by skipping over them.

Make sure there’s a safety jacket on board. Don’t assume that because everybody knows how to swim, you won’t need a safety jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) onboard. Most victims of drowning die because they were not wearing life jackets while out on the water. However unlikely, you need to accept the possibility of someone falling off the boat. On the other hand, victims also drown because they were wearing life jackets that did not keep their heads above the water once they lost consciousness.

Never drink and drive. This nifty rule also applies to boating, aside from land driving. Alcohol can reduce your level of alertness significantly, and can result in harm for more people than yourself. Technically, it’s not illegal to drink while on a boat, but it’s essential that whoever drives needs to stay sober, or at least know when it’s time to stop. Mariners can be charged with boating under the influence (BUI) if their blood alcohol levels are above the standard 0.08.

Keep a radio on board, or to be specific, a VHF mariner’s radio. Although a cellphone might seem like the most practical option, it’s a lot less hardy than a radio. It can get wet, lose signal, or run out of batteries. A mariner’s radio is a near-guarantee that wherever you are, and whatever happens, you will have contact with fellow mariners, as well as people onshore. In order for this to work, you need to register your radio so people can find you, so don’t overlook this step. Also, before you set out for the water, make sure to inform someone where you’re headed, who you’re with, and for how long you might be gone.

Get yourself educated. Sure, it’s not exactly rocket science, but if you’re serious about boating as a hobby, or if you simply want to stay safe, then it’s highly recommended that you enroll in a boating course to supplement any lapses in your technical knowledge. Presently there is no law that requires a license for individuals behind the wheel on a boat, but a course will teach you how a boat works, the complexities of navigation on waters, important safety measures, and how to drive a boat in case your driver is, for some reason, unable to take hold of the wheel.

About the author: Caherine P. is a  writer for an expat community blog that provides international calling cards and a international prepaid calling cards for international travelers. She also frequently blogs about a variety of different topics. Take an additional 10% off with coupon code “acc10″