Expert Tips for Safe Boating Adventures
For both novice boaters and seasoned sailors, we have gathered essential tips to enhance your enjoyment while ensuring safety on the water. Each tip emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for your own safety, the well-being of your vessel, and the welfare of your crew.
Ensure that you and your team are provided with appropriately fitting life jackets.
Over two-thirds of boating fatalities result from drowning, with 90% of those victims not wearing life jackets. Therefore, it is essential for you and your crew to have properly fitting life jackets. Suncoast Marine provides a comprehensive range of life jackets suitable for various boating activities, including fishing, water sports, day cruising, and both inshore and offshore cruising. Regardless of your specific boating pursuits, Suncoast Marine has an appropriate life jacket available. For those seeking a less bulky option than traditional inherently buoyant personal flotation devices (PFDs), inflatable life vests are recommended, as many users find them so comfortable that they often forget they are wearing one.
One hand dedicated to the task, and the other for the vessel.
Navigating an unstable, swaying deck differs significantly from walking on a stable sidewalk. The saying “one hand for the job, one hand for the boat” emphasizes the importance of carefully transitioning between handholds while moving on deck. Most vessels feature grab rails or similar installations to help maintain balance during movement. To prevent accidental falls overboard, sailboats are typically fitted with jack lines, which are robust strips of webbing extending along both sides of the boat. Crew members secure a tether to these jack lines, which connects to a harness they wear. For challenging weather conditions or offshore activities, jack lines can also be utilized on powerboats.
You're the Captain of Your Ship.
As the owner and operator of your vessel, you may be held legally responsible for any injuries sustained by your guests while on board. Therefore, while engaging in activities such as dolphin watching or fishing, it is crucial to monitor your guests closely. Proactively identify and address potential hazards before they escalate into serious issues. Common risks include loose fishing lines on the deck, open hatches, unsecured lifeline gates, or exposed turnbuckle cotter pins that could injure an unprotected hand. Given that boats inherently present various dangers due to their movement and potential trip hazards, it is essential to remain vigilant. Encourage your guests to exercise caution without dampening their enjoyment.
Understanding Your Boat.
As a boat owner, it is imperative to be well-acquainted with your vessel and prepared for potential emergencies. Are you equipped to navigate your boat in challenging weather conditions? Do you have knowledge of the locations of all your thru hull valves? Are you capable of performing basic repairs on your boat's engine if necessary? In the event that a crew member falls overboard, would you know how to execute a recovery? Are you aware of where critical items such as the fire extinguisher, VHF radio, medical kit, light switches, hatches, and tool kit are stored, and can you locate them in low visibility situations?
Staying Onboard.
This advice serves as an extension of the principle "Be the Master of Your Ship." It addresses the actions of guests as a vessel approaches a dock. Some guests may feel the urge to leap over the water to reach the dock and assist in the docking process. While a successful jump may make them appear heroic, a misstep could result in serious injury. To protect your guests and mitigate the risk of legal repercussions, this behavior should be actively discouraged. It is advisable to develop skills for maneuvering your boat in tight spaces and to approach the dock at a slow speed. Additionally, guests should be encouraged to wait until the boat is securely alongside the dock before disembarking.
Who's your First-Mate?
Nearly fifty percent of boating incidents are linked to alcohol consumption. In many jurisdictions, it is prohibited to navigate a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. The consequences for operating a boat while intoxicated can be significant; therefore, if your activities involve drinking, ensure that a designated sober individual is in control of the boat. It is essential to drink responsibly and be aware that, as the boat owner, you may face legal responsibility for any accidents that occur on board.
Ensure your vessel is equipped with the necessary USCG-approved equipment.
Boating necessitates a significant amount of equipment. The gear mandated by the U.S. Coast Guard includes life jackets, fire extinguishers, visual distress signals, sound-producing devices, pollution placards, and additional items. If operating a boat at night, navigation lights are also essential. See Navigation Light Rules. While a VHF radio is not a USCG requirement, it is highly recommended alongside life jackets as crucial safety equipment. There is a diverse selection of both handheld and fixed-mount VHF radios available. For a comprehensive list of all USCG-required equipment, refer to the U.S. Coast Guard's guidelines for recreational vessels.
Ensure that your boat is equipped with an anchor and familiarize yourself with its proper usage.
While it may not be part of your boating itinerary to "drop the hook," unforeseen circumstances can arise. Situations such as losing engine power and drifting toward a lee shore can occur due to mechanical failures or other issues, such as entangling a wakeboard tow rope in the propeller or damaging the prop by striking a submerged object. Therefore, it is essential to have an appropriately sized and type-specific anchor for your vessel and its operating environment. Additionally, ensure that the rode is properly stowed to allow for smooth deployment when anchoring. It is crucial to secure the bitter end of the rode to the boat to prevent any mishaps. For further guidance on anchoring techniques, refer to the Discover Boating article on How to Anchor Securely.
Develop a Float Plan and share it with a friend.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary recommends that before going boating that you leave a float plan with a reliable person who can be depended upon to notify the Coast Guard, or other rescue agency, should you not return or check-in as planned. Of course this can be done via email or by providing a “hard copy” of your intentions to the reliable person. For a float plan template that shows the type of information you need to include, see the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Float Plan.
Take a Boating Course.
The US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadron provide an extensive range of boating courses suitable for both novice and seasoned boaters. These courses cover essential topics such as radio communication, navigation, boating regulations, safety equipment, safe boating practices, and trailering techniques. Beyond educational offerings, these organizations welcome new members, who can participate in various social events and gain the fulfilling experience of supporting the United States Coast Guard in its mission to enhance boating safety.
