Nine Essential Safety Tips For Every
Boat Ride
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Are you ready for your boating adventure?
Gear up with these boating safety tips to
ride the waves and cruise through the seas
for maximum fun.
Everyone loves a good boat ride. If you want
to get the most out of your boat charter,
here are nine crucial tips to keep in mind.
Don't let your impulses put your safety at
risk. Be prepared beforehand. Enjoyment
and safety don't need to be mutually
exclusive.
There's no better way to destress and
rejuvenate than with a generous dose of
vitamin sea.
Cruising through the great blue ocean on a
bowrider boat is a great, versatile, and family-
friendly way to spend a relaxing getaway.
Whether it's for leisure or water sports, you can
do anything with a bowrider boat.
While boating is generally safe, accidents
can still happen. It's always best to be
prepared by properly equipping yourself and
reading up on pertinent boating safety
information beforehand. Here are some
boating safety tips you can follow:
1. Check the Weather
No matter what the season it is, pay
close attention to the weather whenever
you set sail. Monitor your local and
destination's weather, sea reports, and
boating forecasts several days before
your scheduled ride. With the rise of
readily available weather apps, you can
quickly check for sudden changes in the
atmosphere.
As soon as you notice any changes that
may put your safety at risk, return to
shore as soon as possible. Bring a radio
for accessible communication with the
appropriate parties. Never face a storm
while on a boat. Notify and
communicate regularly with your boat
rental if there’s a need to reschedule.
2. Always Wear Your Personal Flotation
Devices
A personal flotation device, or colloquially
known as a life jacket, is the most essential
safety measure every sailor needs. It must
be fit, comfortable, and US Coast Guard-
approved, especially for children. Life
jackets come in different sizes.
Some are specifically designed for infants
and children based on their weight. Be
aware of the different variations, and
equip yourself and your passengers, if
applicable, appropriately. According to
the US Coast Guard, life jackets save lives
in 80% of boat-related accidents. There is
no legitimate excuse for not wearing one.
3. Bring a Safety Kit
In case emergencies arise, a safety kit will
make quick work of any life-threatening
events. It should include the following at
the bare minimum:
A first aid kit, including:
- Allergy medications (e.g., antihistamines)
and drugs for asthma attacks, fevers, and
motion sickness
- bandages
- antiseptic creams
- sunscreen
- lip protection
4. Avoid Liquor
Alcohol poses a more significant threat in
water than on land. In several states,
including Florida, you are prohibited from
operating a boat under the influence.
The waves, vibrations, and wind all worsen
your impaired senses when intoxicated. Your
balance, vision, reaction speed, and
coordination are drastically affected,
increasing the risk of falling into the water.
5. Adhere to the Boat Rental's Guidelines
A boat carrying too many people or
belongings is a safety risk. Anything beyond
the allowable capacity will overload the boat,
making it difficult to control. Always check the
boat's capacity plate indicating the maximum
number of people and weight it can carry.
Evenly distributing the load on board is
recommended. Keep the total weight low, and
avoid sudden changes in distributed weight.
6. Keep Away From the Engine
Do a headcount before the engine starts.
Remind everyone that they should refrain
from leaving the boat while the engine is
running or idling and that they should
stay away from the engine and
propellers, active or not.
7. Stay Alert
Keep a safe distance from other boats and
swimmers. Operate at a safe speed. Watch
the children carefully, and account for the
number of passengers on board.
8. Know What To Do if Someone Goes
Overboard
Do not panic. In a situation where the
victim failed to wear their personal
flotation device, throw a life jacket, life
ring, or other flotation device into the
water.
- Alert other passengers and any
surrounding boats.
- Keep them in your line of view. If the
boat is in motion, stop or slow it down
immediately.
- If they're drowning, do not try to save
them yourself, as they may drag you
under in a panic.
- Once you've pulled them in, take off their
wet clothes to prevent hypothermia. Give
them a blanket to preserve their body heat.
- If they are unconscious, perform CPR. If they
need medical attention, call the US Coast
Guard for help.
9. Take a Boating Safety Course
Take a boating course to be familiar with
boating rules and to be trained in safety
precautions. Knowing how to be safe on a
boat will provide the relaxation you've been
looking for. Safety always comes before
leisure.
"Are bowriders safe?" you may be asking.
Our 24-foot Hurricane 237 bowriders at Bay
Excursions are well-maintained, equipped
with GPS navigation, and are the best at
providing maximum comfort.
Book our private boat charter in Clearwater
Beach, FL, today! We are ready and willing
to accommodate you and up to five other
companions.
E-MAIL ADDRESS
captainkusvi@gmail.com
PHONE NUMBER
(727) 595-0000
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