Boating Safety Will Increase Your Fun this Summer

Boating season is in full swing. There are steps you can take to reduce injury, property damage, liability costs and fatalities related to recreational boating accidents.

Watercraft Safety Tips

• The majority of drowning victims are the result of boaters not wearing lifejackets. Make sure that your family and friends aren’t part of this statistic by assigning and fitting everyone with a life jacket prior to departure.
• Have operable boat lights. Always test boat lights before the boat leaves the dock and carry extra batteries.
• Always check local weather conditions before departure.
• Never allow passengers to ride on gunwales, seatbacks, or outside of protective railings, including the front of a pontoon boat. A sudden turn, stop, or start could cause a person to fall overboard.
• Know your boat’s capacity and how to properly load it. An overloaded, or improperly loaded boat can cause safety problems.
• Have a working marine radio onboard at all times and know how to use it.
• Ventilate after fueling. Open the hatches, run the blower, and check for fuel fumes before starting the engine.
• Be a safer boater! Take the Online Boating Safety Course – all of the information is free.
• Click here to check it out.
• Infants and young children are at a higher risk for hypothermia; so if you are taking a baby on a boat, make sure to take a few extra precautions to keep your baby warm.