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Springtime Boating Safety Tips

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Boating Safety Tips

Spring is the perfect time to get the family together and partake is some outdoor activities with them, such as taking the family out on the lake for some early season boating.

But even a fun boating excursion with your family can turn catastrophic if proper safety procedures are not reviewed and followed.

Below are just a few tips to keep you and your loved ones safe as you tackle your nearest lake or ocean.

Perform a boat safety check

It may seem obvious, but check your boat’s seaworthiness before setting off. Be sure that you have an adequate amount of gas in the tank, and your batteries are charged well enough. Two of the easiest ways to get stranded in the water is to either run out of fuel or to have a battery die while out on the water.

You should also check your boat’s hull for any major imperfections. A hole in your hull is a sure-fire way to have a bad time in open water. While you are at it, check your boat’s drain plug and bilge pump. Make sure the plug is secure, and the pump is in working condition.

Get an Inspection from the Coast Guard

It is worth noting that in some states, the Coast Guard will examine your boat for free.  The United States Coast Guard offers an inspection at a predetermined location. At the location, they will examine your boat front to back to make sure it is within correct boating regulations. And the best part is, if they find you and your boat with a violation, they will not issue a citation. Instead, they will offer helpful advice about how you can correct the issue so you can be in compliance with your state’s boating laws.

Boating Safety Equipment

So you have checked your boat to make sure it is ready for open waters. Now it is time to make sure you have enough safety equipment for all passengers. Life jackets are vital to prevent drownings.

Be sure to have enough for everyone on board, as well as the correct sizes for everyone. Children will require smaller life jackets to ensure a tight fit that will not slip off them. Discard old life jackets and replace them with newer models. But just having the life jacket is not enough.

Be sure that all your passengers wear them to ensure their safety.

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Check the Weather

Have you ever heard the phrase “calm seas don’t make a skillful sailor?” Luckily for you, you probably are not trying to be a skillful sailor. You are probably just looking for a fun time with your family to soak in the spring sunshine.

Be sure to check the weather before you go out. Even if the skies are clear and blue with calm winds when you set sail, the weather can change quickly. If you do get caught out in a storm while boating make sure your boat has adequate gear such as raincoats.

Check the Water Temperature

If you decide to swim, take a moment to observe the water temperature before you take the dive. Even if the air around you is warm, the water could still be chilly.

It is important to remember that your body temperature loses heat to water as much as 25 times faster than you do to air. So while standing outside in your swimming trunks in 50-degree weather for an hour is a discomfort, doing the same in cold water could prove deadly. And as the water gets colder than 50 degrees, you may not even live for an hour. It could take as long as two months for the water to warm up to air temperature in the spring, making hypothermia less of a risk.

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Boat Accident Safety

Bring Extra Supplies Boating

Bring extra clothes, food, survival wear, blankets, and a cell phone and keep them in a waterproof bag. These items can save your life in the event of a catastrophe. Make note of exactly where they are located on your boat so you can quickly reach them in an emergency.

Keep Your Boat Insured

Be sure your boat is insured before hitting the water. Doing so ensures that even if you do have an accident, you will be able to re-obtain at least some of your lost assets.

Review Safety Laws & Procedures

Finally, it always pays to be well informed. Take some time the day before you go out to review your state’s boating laws and safety procedures.

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