Sail Into Safety: Safety Reminders For The Start Of Boating Season
Boating season has finally arrived! The excitement to get back on the water is palpable, but before boarding your boat for the season, it’s important to ensure that safety protocols are in order. When it comes to boat safety, you have to consider more than just gear; there’s maintenance and upkeep that need to be done before your boat even hooks up to a trailer, and considerations to keep in mind when you’re out on the water. This blog will give you some things to remember on and off the water to ensure you have the safest boating season possible!
Pre-Departure & Maintenance Checklist
Inspect Safety Gear: Start your safety checklist by checking out your safety gear. Ensure that you have enough wearable life jackets, specifically ones that are U.S. Coast Guard approved, for all of your passengers – including pets. Also, check that you have flares and whistles on board and that your fire extinguishers are not expired.
Battery Check: Inspect the physical casing of your battery to ensure there are no cracks, swelling, or leaks, and that the battery is secured in its tray. Make sure you charge your battery and use a tester to ensure there are no issues with your battery holding a charge.
Engine & Fluid Check: Perform checks and changes if they were not done during winterization, like changing the oil and filter. Check coolant levels and gear lube for discoloration that could indicate water intrusion. Start your engine before you trailer your boat to ensure that it starts without issue.
Check for Damages: If your boat has been sitting over winter and this is your first time taking it on the water, make sure that you do a full check for damages. Check your field lines for any signs of leaks, cracks, or damage. Don’t forget to check the hull for damage or cracks as well. Getting on the water with unaddressed damage can not only lead to costly repairs but also be incredibly dangerous.
Free Vessel Safety Check: Unsure of whether or not your boat is in compliance? Want to ensure that your boat is safe for your passengers? You can schedule a free, non-punitive inspection to ensure that you are in compliance with the U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadrons. If you fail, there are no penalties or fines, just a written report on how to correct any discrepancies.
On-the-Water Safety Tips
Wear Life Jackets: We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to wear your life jacket. 75% of boating fatalities are due to drowning, and 85% of drowning victims were reported as not wearing their life jackets.
Avoid Alcohol: If you are the operator of a boat, it is important that you do not boat under the influence, as a BWI is incredibly dangerous and can result in fines, loss of your license, or possibly jail time. Additionally, it’s important to limit alcohol consumption even for passengers. Should an accident occur, being impaired by alcohol can limit your ability to safely get to land or a rescue vessel.
Check the Weather: Always check the weather before heading out onto the water and while you’re out on your boat. Depending on the season and location, dangerous weather conditions can happen quickly. So it’s important to always monitor the weather so you can get off the water if bad weather is approaching.
Stay Alert: It’s important to maintain 360-degree awareness on the water. It’s easy to get distracted on board, but if you’re not alert, a small obstacle can quickly become a big problem.
Be Aware of Cold Water: Early in the season, the air may be warm, but likely the water is not! Dressing for the water temperature rather than the air temperature can potentially save you from hypothermia should there be an accident that results in passengers falling into the water.
Keep a Safe Distance: Give yourself plenty of space from other boats, swimmers, and watersports participants. You can’t assume that everyone else on the water is being diligent, so it’s important to keep a distance far enough to provide you with ample reaction time.
Let Someone Know Your Plans: Inform someone you trust who will be on land of your plans for the day. Include your destination and what time you plan to return home. In the event of an accident where you’re unable to notify anyone yourself, when you don’t return home at the anticipated time, your contact can alert the necessary officials.
Utilize the Engine Cut-Off Switch: In the event that you go overboard, it’s critical that you utilize the ignition safety switch to stop the engine. This will reduce the risk of injury from a propeller or the boat continuing to move. Additionally, it will increase the chance that you are able to reboard your boat and get yourself back to safety.
As you perform your pre-departure checklist, if you discover that your boat needs servicing or parts, Fay’s Marina is here to help! If you’re near La Porte, Indiana, our service and parts departments are available to help you get your boat back in sailing shape. Get in touch with us if you need help getting your boat back on the water!