There’s nothing more exciting and exhilarating for a water enthusiast than spending a day out at sea. Whether it’s you heading out alone on a skiff, or going for an afternoon with your loved ones on a house boat, there’s a different kind of pleasure attached to each voyage.
You may have years of experience, though it’s always better to study the rules for safe boating.
Here a few safe boating tips to help you boat responsibly and safely:
Get your boat checked
The Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons® offer a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) without charging you a penny, wherever you’re located.
They examine to substantiate that your boat fulfills the minimum safety standards and equipment as required by state laws. Your boat doesn’t get reported if it doesn’t meet any of the requirements, eliminating any possible consequences or charges.
Keep proper life jackets
It sure is tempting to feel the sun on a nice day, and boat without a life jacket. Though, by law, every boat should have a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket assigned and fitted to each person on board—in accordance with their weight and height.
According to the latest statistics by the USCG, two-thirds of the deaths on water were caused by drowning, and 90% of those who drowned didn’t have a life-jacket on. So as the National Safe Boating Council suggests, develop a habit, be responsible, and “Wear it!”
Boat Sober
It is illegal, and could be fatal to operate a boat while you’re consuming alcohol. According to research, an alcohol level above 0.10% in the blood can increase the chance of your fatality by ten times.
Check for Carbon Monoxide (CO)
CO can knock you down in no time, if it isn’t timely detected. Poor ventilation, maintenance, and lack of awareness significantly increase the risk of fatalities. Hence, your boat should be well maintained for CO prevention and every person on board should be well aware of the symptoms of CO accumulation, such as itchy eyes, nausea, restlessness, and feeling lightheaded and weak.
Most importantly, take a boating course!
It’s important for new and experienced boaters to be familiar with boating rules and regulations. Almost 70% of the boating mishaps occur due to operator error, as estimated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
From educating you on the basics of your boat to preparing you for an emergency, a boating course will do it all. They are inexpensive, timely and locally offered. You may choose from in-person or online boating courses, in accordance with your ease.
You may be skilled and experienced, having updated and in-depth knowledge about boating is crucial to your safety and the safety of others on board. Boater’s Academy is an online boat safety course that allows you to master basic boat operations and safety regulations to enjoy your time on board while staying safe. Our course is recognized and approved by USCG and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
Go through our readily accessible study guide for more details and get started!